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Besides the Balloon Fiesta, there are numerous festivals and celebrations on a yearly basis. Here are some of the major ones:
- 1 New Mexico State Fair: September, held at the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds (on Louisiana between Central and Lomas, east of UNM and south of Uptown), ☏ +1 505 265-EXPO (3976). Takes place annually for two weeks in September. Second only to the Balloon Fiesta, the state fair is a massive event in the Albuquerque calendar. Like any state fair, there's lots of agricultural competitions, farm animals, rodeos, carnival rides, art, music, and fried food. Unique to the New Mexico State Fair are lots of exhibits that show off the pride and character of New Mexico, such as art galleries, a performing arts center, an Indian Village (where you can watch Native American music and dance) and the Villa Hispana, where you can see regular demonstrations of local art and culture. $10 adults, $7 seniors/children, children 5 and under free.
- Gathering of Nations Pow-Wow: April. A massive pow-wow — the largest in North America, in fact — which brings Native Americans and First Nations people from across the continent together for a huge celebration. There are many events, including the powwow, native music, arts, crafts, and food, and the Miss Indian World pageant. The event takes place in late April at the Expo New Mexico fairgrounds. (date needs updating)
- Festival Flamenco Internacional de Alburquerque: mid-July. One of the most exciting Flamenco gatherings in the country, with artists from around the world. Held annually during the summer, usually in early June, at a number of venues. (date needs fixing)
- Around Christmas time, thousands of luminarias (a paper bag half-filled with sand with a lit candle placed inside) line the streets of Old Town. If you come to the city during this time of year you are also likely to see electric luminarias (a string of lights designed to resemble authentic luminarias) lining the roofs of many buildings in the city. You may also see luminaria displays in some of the city's residential neighborhoods, on the UNM campus, and on many an individual's front yard, but Old Town provides the most accessible and dramatic display.