Top September 2026 Events in Santa Fe, NM
September in Santa Fe is something special. The summer heat softens, the aspens start turning gold up in the mountains, and the city fills up with some of its most beloved annual traditions — from the fiery spectacle of Zozobra to the flavors of the Wine & Chile Fiesta. Whether you’re into live music, art markets, outdoor adventures, or community celebrations, The City Different has a full calendar to close out the season.
Living at Madera Apartments puts residents right in the heart of it all, with easy access to Santa Fe’s top events, local restaurants, cultural landmarks, and entertainment. Here are some of the top September 2026 events happening around Santa Fe!
Santa Fe Summer Scene: Free Live Music & Movies (September 1 & 3)
Lensic360’s Summer Scene wraps up its run with a couple more free outdoor events on the historic downtown Plaza, in the Railyard, at SWAN Park, and at Reunity Resources. Genres span rock, country, jazz, folk, mariachi, and Native American music, with family-friendly film screenings rounding out the programming. Pack a blanket, grab food from a nearby truck, and enjoy one of Santa Fe’s most accessible summer traditions before it closes out for the year. Check the website for specific dates, locations, and times.
Sunrise and Flint: Contemporary Native American Art (September 1–5)
Sunrise and Flint brings together eleven contemporary Indigenous artists working across painting, sculpture, photography, installation, and sound to address colonial histories while imagining resilience, repair, and interconnected futures. Inspired by Joy Harjo’s vision of renewal, the show frames the Earth as living witness and collaborator — a timely and thought-provoking exhibition as the United States marks its 250th anniversary.
The 102nd Burning of Zozobra (September 4)
Few events in New Mexico carry the energy and tradition of the Burning of Zozobra. Staged annually by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe at Zozobra Field in Fort Marcy Park on the Friday of Labor Day weekend, this beloved spectacle sends the towering marionette Old Man Gloom up in flames as a ceremonial farewell to the worries of the past year. It’s a fiery, only-in-Santa Fe experience that draws crowds from across the region. Check back for event details closer to the date.
Zozobra Karaoke Night (September 4)
Round out the Zozobra weekend with a night of karaoke alongside the annual celebration. A fun, lively way to keep the festivities going into the evening.
1st Saturdays Comedy at Cake’s (September 5)
Kick off the month with a laugh courtesy of comedians Eddie Stephens, Dawn Schary, and Gian Carlo, hosted by Air Jawson. It’s an early evening show — a great low-key option for anyone looking for a fun night out without a late commitment.
Santa Fe Farmers Market (Every Saturday)
One of the country’s most celebrated growers’ markets — recognized by Sunset Magazine as a top ten pick — the Santa Fe Farmers Market connects more than 150 farms and producers from across Northern New Mexico with local shoppers every Saturday. Fresh produce, specialty foods, and handmade goods make it a reliable and enjoyable weekly stop through the fall season.
Santa Fe Fiestas (September 5–13)
The longest continuously running community celebration in the United States, Santa Fe Fiestas is a multi-day festival that fills the city with mariachi music, a Fine Arts & Crafts Market, food booths, concerts, and cultural events. It’s one of the most immersive and distinctly Santa Fe experiences of the year, drawing on centuries of tradition while remaining a living, community-driven celebration. Check the schedule for specific dates, times, and locations of individual events throughout the week.
Saturday Sips at The PRIDE Center (Every Saturday)
Every Saturday morning, The PRIDE Center hosts a welcoming drop-in gathering for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Fresh coffee and treats from Wild Leaven Bakery, good company, and a no-pressure atmosphere make it an easy and enjoyable way to start the weekend. Come as you are.
Santa Fe Artists Market (Every Saturday)
Set up every Saturday at the Railyard’s West Casitas venue through December, this fine arts and crafts market brings together local potters, jewelers, painters, photographers, furniture makers, and textile artists. It pairs naturally with the Farmers Market for a full Saturday morning out in one of Santa Fe’s most active neighborhoods.
Railyard Artisan Market (Every Sunday)
Every Sunday inside the Farmers’ Market Pavilion, the Railyard Artisan Market gathers a wide range of New Mexico artists and craftspeople alongside live music. It’s a relaxed, community-focused way to spend a Sunday morning supporting local makers and enjoying the Railyard district’s energy.
Summer Sundaze at The Mystic (Sundays through September)
The Mystic’s outdoor venue keeps the summer going every Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m. with tribute and cover bands, craft cocktails, local beer, a full food menu, and lawn games for $10 per person. September brings One More Silver Dollar (Allman Brothers Tribute) on September 6 and Free Range Buddhas (Psychedelic Folk Rawk) on September 13 — a fitting send-off to the outdoor concert season.
Jazz Night at The Mystic (September 10)
On alternating Thursdays, The Mystic transforms into an intimate jazz venue from 7 to 9 p.m. September 10 features two standout acts: Mystic Undertone, known for lush, improvisational modern jazz, and The Shiners Club Jazz Band, whose Westin McDowell threads together a century of music from traditional blues and old school jazz to vintage swing and garage rock. A craft cocktail and a good seat make for a perfect Thursday evening.
Sunset Concerts: Monarchs, Music, and Mixology (September 10)
Close out summer at the Garden with an evening of live music from Nosotros — local legends and Garden favorites — alongside themed activities, local food vendors, and the beauty of early fall colors. Doors open at 5 p.m. for activities in the Pavilion before the concert begins. Local vendors include Susan’s Fine Wine and Spirits, Santa Fe Popcorn, and Hello Sweet Cream, with more to be announced. Outside food is welcome; outside alcohol is not.
Nosotros Concert (September 11)
Nosotros takes the stage again on September 11 for a concert co-sponsored by Santa Fe Faith Coalition and Indivisible Santa Fe, serving as a fundraiser for immigrant programs in the city. A meaningful evening of music with community impact built right in.
Stargazing at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge (September 11–12)
New Mexico’s renowned dark skies get their due at this guided stargazing experience at the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. A local guide and astronomer lead small groups to a star-viewing site away from light pollution, where guests settle in with artisan blankets and locally crafted hot chocolate or tea while the night unfolds. Surrounded by sagebrush, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and the river far below, it’s a deeply atmospheric way to spend an evening. Sessions begin at 7:45 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $55 per person plus tax.
Fall Activities at Ski Santa Fe (September 12 – October 11)
The Santa Fe Express High-Speed Quad lift opens for fall rides to the top of Upper Broadway, where golden aspens line the way and a beer garden and live music await at the summit. It’s a beautiful and easy way to get up into the mountains as the foliage peaks — no ski gear required.
Route 66 Centennial Railyard Rev Up (September 13)
The last Sunday of the month brings a free informal car show to the Railyard as part of the ongoing Route 66 Centennial celebration. Classic cars, trucks, lowriders, and motorcycles that once cruised the Mother Road line up for a community gathering with no admission fee. If you have a pre-1979 vehicle or motorcycle, you’re welcome to bring it and display it.
Santa Fe Symphony Season Opener: Beethoven’s Fifth (September 13)
The Santa Fe Symphony opens its 43rd season with a concert pairing two towering works: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 — arguably the most recognizable opening in all of classical music — followed by Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, performed by pianist Inna Faliks. It’s a powerful way to kick off the symphony season and a reminder of why live orchestral music is unlike anything else.
5th Annual Feria Southside: Community Celebration (September 17)
Presented by the Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce and the City of Santa Fe Office of Economic Development, Feria Southside is an afternoon of culture, live music, local food vendors, an artisan marketplace, kids’ activities, and free community resources — all with a strong focus on uplifting Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs and celebrating the Southside neighborhoods. New this year: a free Community Shred Event in partnership with Better Business Bureau and Blackdog Shredding. Everything is free to attend. More info at www.feriasouthside.com.
Green Chile Workshop Cooking Class & Tastings (September 19)
This hands-on two-hour workshop dives deep into New Mexico’s most iconic ingredient, covering the history and cultural significance of green chile alongside practical kitchen techniques. Participants make corn tortillas, green chile sauce, roasted tomatillo and cilantro salsa, and a poblano, mint, and tamarind sauce. Whether you’re a longtime green chile devotee or new to the ingredient, it’s a flavorful and educational afternoon. Tickets are $95 per person.
Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta (September 23–27)
One of the most anticipated culinary events of the year, the Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta brings together world-class wineries, acclaimed chefs, and food lovers from around the country for five days of tastings, wine seminars, cooking demos, and special dinners. The signature Grand Tasting and Chile Friday events are highlights, but the entire week is built around pairing Santa Fe’s culinary creativity with exceptional wines set against the backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It’s a celebration of flavor and community that has become one of the defining events of the city’s fall season.
Experience Fall in Santa Fe
From the flames of Zozobra and the traditions of Fiestas to world-class symphony, stargazing adventures, and the region’s finest food and wine, September 2026 gives Santa Fe residents one of the richest months of the year. The energy of summer carries right into fall, and the city’s cultural calendar makes it easy to stay engaged and inspired.
Living at Madera Apartments puts residents close to it all — from the Railyard’s weekend markets and downtown concerts to canyon hikes and some of the best dining in the Southwest. It’s the ideal home base for experiencing everything The City Different has to offer this September.