Visiting Albuquerque & Northern New Mexico

New Mexico celebrates 100 years of statehood in 2012. Events, festivals and commemorations honor 1912 events making New Mexico the US' 47th State. Summer 2012 sees special events across NM marking the centennial and making the season ideal for a getaway or vacation. Northwest New Mexico, home of Albuquerque, the state’s largest city, celebrates with Albuquerque Centennial Summerfest. Enjoy New Mexico’s summer - from Memorial Day’s Riverfest in Farmington to September’s New Mexico State Fair, events abound. New Mexico’s Color Run and Dirty Dash, offer fun for active travelers, while New Mexico’s Wine Festival showcases the best of the state’s vineyards and restaurants.

The city of Albuquerque hosts one of the largest centennial events June 16th at Albuquerque Centennial Summerfest. Downtown’s Central Avenue closes for the day-long festivities, featuring an arts market, car show, dancing and entertainment. Events culminate with a free concert by Los Lobos at Albuquerque’s Civic Plaza.

Give your summer training a break at the Albuquerque Color Run - a 5K run that’s more about fun, than racing. The 2012 New Mexico Color run is August 25th, promising to be one of the craziest runs of the year. As runners pass kilometer markers, the safe and natural color of the zone is showered on participants. The finish line sees individuals and teams covered in a rainbow of colors – nor worries, the run is not timed; it’s all about having a colorful day in downtown Albuquerque.

Celebrate the ending of summer at the New Mexico Wine Festival. Spend Labor Day Weekend 2012, September 1st through the 3rd, in historic Bernalillo, 13-miles north of Albuquerque. New Mexico’s largest wine festival features tastings from New Mexico wineries, live entertainment, arts and crafts and regional foods. Enjoy a three-day celebration of the best of New Mexico wine, food and arts at the 2012 New Mexico Wine Festival.

Wildlife West Nature Park, 20-minutes east of Albuquerque hosts New Mexico’s Dirty Dash – arguably the most fun 3.5 mile race around. Albeit muddy, dirty and filthy, the Dirty Dash is a fun obstacle course through mud covered hills, pipes and pits, with plenty of camaraderie and challenges. The New Mexico 2012 Dirty Dash, is September 8th at Wildlife West, on the 87 North Frontage Road. Bring the family, the Piglet Plunge is a kids dream come true – see just how dirty the whole family can get.

You can’t call summer quits without a visit to the New Mexico State Fair. Expo New Mexico hosts the 2012 New Mexico State Fair, September 12th through the 23rd. With all the traditional attractions including the carnival, exhibits, livestock shows and entertainment, the New Mexico State Fair is a must for families. Events include the International Indian Finals Rodeo, and PRCA Rodeo just for starters. Concerts feature top names in Country Music and the entertainment industry. Make the New Mexico State Fair a family tradition.

Albuquerque & Northern New Mexico Hotel Map