Annual Events in Socorro New Mexico
Dates subject to change; please call the City of Socorro Tourism Department at (575) 835 8927 for additional information updates and changes.
January
Rio Fest — Macey Center. A film festival with an environmental theme and focus on the Chihuahuan ecological theme along the Rio Grande to Mexico.
February
Community Arts Party — Finley Gym. Kids and adults create hands-on projects with local artists.
State Science Olympiad — NM Tech Campus. middle and high school teams compete for New Mexico’s place at the national tournament.
Civil War Reenactment — A reenactment of the fight between Union and Confederate soldiers at the historic battle of Val Verde, the only lancer charge of the Civil War. This is a three-day event that includes two full-scale battles, weapon competitions, a Fandango with period music, and a massive “encampment.”
March
Spring Open House — Socorro County Arts sponsors its annual event featuring art demonstrations, live music and festivities at area galleries.
April
Trinity Site — White Sand Missile Range. Open to the public twice a year, on the first Saturday of April and October. This is where the first atomic bomb was detonated on July 16, 1945. Van shuttle available from Socorro to Trinity Site.
Very Large Array Guided Tours — 50 miles west of Socorro on U.S. 60. This semiannual tour runs in conjunction with the opening of the Trinity Site.
NM State Science Fair — NM Tech. Students in grades 6-12 compete for the chance to go to the International Science Fair where they can win scholarships, trips and other prizes.
Cerrillos del Coyotes Mountain Bike Race — At this event, which takes place the 2nd Saturday in April, bikers trek the 30-mile ride from the Socorro Plaza to and around Escondida, and then back to the Plaza. (Several days of racing and touring – not all of the races are competitive).
May
Cinco de Mayo — Socorro Plaza. This celebration commemorates the victory of the Mexican army over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The event features food, arts and crafts vendors and live music.
“M” Mountain AYSO Socorro Tournament — Teams from New Mexico and surrounding states compete in Socorro for trophies and honors.
Socorro Mother’s Day Powwow — Clarke Field. Held Mother’s Day weekend. Gathering of Native Americans to showcase dances, colorful clothing and arts and crafts.
June
Magdalena Spring Arts Festival — A wide variety of local arts, studio tours and entertainment.
Socorro Open Golf Tournament — NM Tech Golf Course. An annual tournament for both professionals and amateurs. It also includes the famous Elfego Baca Shoot from “M” Mountain down to the golf course.
July
4th of July Celebration — NM Tech. Features music, vendors and NM Tech’s Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center famous fireworks display.
Magdalena Old Timers Reunion — An annual event with food vendors, Native American craft vendors, games, music, rodeo, crowning of the Old Timers Queen and one of the largest parades in Socorro County.
Honey Doo Couples Golf Tournament — NM Tech Golf Course.
Socorro Farmer’s Market — Historic Plaza. Open July through October on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
August
Hot August Nights — Historic Plaza. Dance into the evening at this family event that features live music. Scheduled twice in August. Enjoy food, children’s fun area, nearby beer garden and arts and crafts.
Socorro Chile Harvest Triathlon — Three-part races for adults and kids, swimming, running and biking.
Socorro County Fair & Rodeo and Parade — Held Labor Day weekend. Professional rodeo, exhibits, music, games, kiss-a-pig contest, judged art, quilting, canning and more.
September
Chile Chase Golf Tournament — NM Tech Golf Course.
NM Tech President’s Golf Tournament — NM Tech Golf Course.
San Miguel Fiesta — San Miguel Mission. This fiesta celebrates the patron saint of the mission with a traditional procession to the Plaza. Special church services, food and craft vendors, children’s games, bingo and entertainment are standing Fiesta traditions.
October
Enchanted Skies Star Party — One of America’s leading star parties gets bigger and better every year. The Enchanted Skies Star Party is a five-day event with a full night of observing at 10,000 feet atop South Baldy Peak, workshops to enhance your enjoyment of astronomy, a daytime lecture series and the famous Chuck Wagon Dinner.
Trinity Site — White Sands Missile Range. Open to the public twice a year, on the first Saturdays of April and October. The first atomic bomb was exploded here on July 16, 1945. Van shuttle available from Socorro to Trinity Site.
Very Large Array Guided Tours — 50 miles west on U.S. 60. This twice-annual tour runs in conjunction with the opening of the Trinity Site.
Socorro Fest — Historic Plaza. This event features great music and dancing, food craft vendors, games, Indian Village, historic tours and a showcase of New Mexico wineries and microbreweries.
Oktoberfest — Hammel Museum. Annual celebration to commemorate the founding of the museum and brewery.
Chile Proppers — NM Tech. The local Chile Proppers Model Airplane Club model airplane competition.
Alamo Indian Days — Alamo Navajo Reservation. An annual event with food, craft vendors and gourd dancing.
Sevilleta and La Joya Open House — Tours and speakers in northern Socorro County at the seventh-largest National Wildlife Refuge in the continental U.S. The area supports four major ecosystems and is managed for studying the natural processes of flood, fire and succession.
49ers Celebration — A celebration of the unique mining history of New Mexico Tech. A parade on California Street, music at the historic Capitol Bar, alumni events and many other activities are held at the Tech campus all weekend.
Hamfest — A radio communications event hosted by the Socorro Amateur Radio Association.
November
NM Mineral Symposium — NM Tech Campus. A forum for both professionals and amateurs interested in mineralogy.
Festival of the Crayons — 306 School of Mines Road. Life-size crayon sculptures by Socorro artist Rebecca Titus.
Festival of the Cranes — Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. The largest event in Socorro County, held the week before Thanksgiving, featuring workshops, birding and plant tours, keynote speakers, breakfast and a fine arts show.
Festival of the Cranes Arts and Crafts Fair — Garcia Opera House. Get a head start on holiday shopping with this array of jewelry, woodwork, quilts, pottery, stained glass, pictures and much more.
Art Studio Tour — the Socorro County artists display their paintings, jewelry and pottery in their home studios. This third annual event is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the Saturday of the Festival of the Cranes. (505) 452-6300
December
“M” Mountain Classic Basketball Tournament
Luminaries on the Plaza Arts Crawl — Held the first Friday evening of December. Members of Socorro County Arts display their artworks and crafts in shops around the plaza. Food, beverages and entertainment are provided as you follow the path of luminaries from shop to shop.
Shop Socorro Auction — Community event to encourage residents to shop locally, save money and showcase local businesses.
Merry-achi Christmas — Local and out-of-town Mariachi talent and local children’s groups get together to create a popular annual gala production.