Schedule of Events

Los Alamos WinterFest 2023

Friday, Dec. 1 - Sunday, Dec. 3.

 

Are you a business or institution that would like

your event featured here? Events are posted

at the discretion of Los Alamos MainStreet and

are not guaranteed to be posted. 

​

​

​

 

Friday, Dec. 1, 2023

​

12 - 7 p.m.  Creche Show, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 

Come ring in the Christmas season by viewing beautiful nativity displays from around the world.
Nativities contributed from a wide array of local citizens of Los Alamos. All are Welcome: Admission is free. 

​

7 p.m. YMCA Holiday Movie Night, SALA Event Center 

Y Holiday Movie Night featuring two holiday 'classics'. For Families - Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (2018) and for Adults & Older Kids - Gremlins (1984).

For tickets and more info go here.

​

7-8 p.m. Night Sky in December, Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium 

This talk is perfect for beginning stargazers who want to learn more. This event will take place in person at the Los Alamos Nature Center's planetarium. Because seating is limited in the planetarium, advance registration is encouraged! Sign up now to reserve your seats. If space is still available, we will admit walk-up attendees at the nature center at the time of the presentation.

 

Planetarium events are not recommended for kids under age 4.

Admission: $8/adult, $6/child. 

​

4:30 - 6:30 p.m. The Karen Wray Gallery: Winter 2023 Opening Reception,1247 Central Ave

Join Karen Wray gallery for the opening reception of their Winter 2023 Group art Exhibition. Experience all new artwork including paintings, ceramics and glassware! All are welcome to this free event. 

​

7-9 p.m. Nutcracker on the Hill, Duane Smith Auditorium

Join us for Dance Arts Los Alamos' twist on the traditional Nutcracker Ballet where characters from the Manhattan Project dance their way through time and magical lands. Featuring DALA dancers and guest artists Christo McMaster and Joey Moore, this year's show will be one to remember!

​

Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023

​

8 a.m. - 11 a.m. Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos Presents: Breakfast with Santa, Betty Ehart Senior Center

Kick off a jolly holiday season with a hot breakfast and photo opportunity with Santa Claus! No cost to attend, but we will be collecting non-perishable food for LA Cares, and financial donations to the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos’ projects with northern NM foster children. Families, please reserve a timeslot!

Visit LosAlamos.Kiwanisone.org/Santa or learn more about the event and reserve your timeslot.

​

9 a.m. - 11 a.m. PJs and Movies, SALA Event Center

Get comfy at SALA! Dress in your PJs and enjoy the Arthur Christmas movie with breakfast. Plus ornament making with Little Studio on the Mesa. Reserve a free ticket here. 

​

9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Everything Christmas Sale, The United Church of Los Alamos

Gently used Jewelry, Christmas Lights, Trees, Ornaments, and more! 

​

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Children's Christmas Bazaar, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church

The TOTH Children's Bazaar takes place on Winterfest Weekend!! At the Children’s Christmas Bazaar, the kids do the shopping for family members & friends.  All kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade are welcome to participate. Shoppers must be signed up in advance. https://latoth.org/childrens-bazaar/

​

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Creche Show, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints 

Come ring in the Christmas season by viewing beautiful nativity displays from around the world.
Nativities contributed from a wide array of local citizens of Los Alamos. All are Welcome: Admission is free.

​

9 a.m.- 5 p.m. 54th Annual Earth Treasure Show, Pajarito Masonic Lodge at 1400 N Sage Loop

There will be dealers/vendors selling minerals, fossils, jewelry, a children's craft table, and the Wheel of Fortune for kids to try their luck and much more! There will be silent auctions sponsored by the Los Alamos Geological Society. We will have geodes for sale and a cracker so you can be the first to see inside! Club members and the NM Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources will have display cases of mineral specimens from around the world.

Admission is free. Food from Yapopup will be available for sale.

​

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Holiday Vendor Market, The Family YMCA Gymnasium

Shop from a variety of different small business owners. Handmade crafts and products are available.

Sign up to be a vendor here.

​

1-4 p.m. Cozy Crafternoons @ the Library, Mesa Public Library & White Rock Library

The public library invites you for cozy crafternoons with three special crafts provided for kids from age 4-10. All ages are welcome to bring any craft you’re working on- knitting, writing holiday cards, drawing, or anything portable- and hang out at either library. From 1-4 pm in The Zone at Mesa Public Library or in the multipurpose room at White Rock Branch Library, library staff will provide hot drinks, cookies, a crackling (onscreen!) log fire, lo-fi beats, and good company. If you’d like to bring a craft to teach others, please do! 

 

1 p.m.  Storytime, Cocoa and Toy Drive, Holiday Inn Express

Listen to the holiday classic, The Polar Express, while enjoying a cup of hot cocoa. 
Bring a toy to donate to Toys for Tots. All are welcome.

​

2 p.m. Planetarium Movie: National parks adventure, Los Alamos Nature Center

Stop by the nature center to enjoy a full dome film in the planetarium! $8 per adult, $6 per child. Register in advance at www.peecnature.org

​

2-4 p.m. Nutcracker on the Hill, Duane Smith Auditorium

Join us for Dance Arts Los Alamos' twist on the traditional Nutcracker Ballet where characters from the Manhattan Project dance their way through time and magical lands. Featuring DALA dancers and guest artists Christo McMaster and Joey Moore, this year's show will be one to remember!

​

3:30 p.m. -5:30 p.m. Santa's Workshop, Fuller Lodge

Join Los Alamos County Recreation Staff to decorate a cookie, make crafts, write a letter to Santa, cuddle with a 5-ft bear, and take a photo with Santa! The event is FREE and open to the Public

​

6 p.m. Holiday Lights Parade, Central Avenue

This year's theme is "Winter Around the World." Beginning around 4 p.m., Central Ave. will be closed from the roundabout to Oppenheimer. Public parking is available downtown in the Municipal, Judicial, Ashley Pond Park, library lots, and others. Join us for this festive annual tradition! Lighting of the trees at Ashley Pond directly follows.

​

Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023

 

10 a.m.- 4 p.m. 54th Annual Earth Treasure Show, Pajarito Masonic Lodge at 1400 N Sage Loop

There will be dealers/vendors selling minerals, fossils, jewelry, a children's craft table, and the Wheel of Fortune for kids to try their luck and much more! There will be silent auctions sponsored by the Los Alamos Geological Society. We will have geodes for sale and a cracker so you can be the first to see inside! Club members and the NM Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources will have display cases of mineral specimens from around the world.

Admission is free. Food from Yapopup will be available for sale.

11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Fuller Lodge Gallery Shop Open House, Fuller Lodge

Music, treats, special prizes, artist talks, and more! Inside the gallery shop at Fuller Lodge Art Center.

LosAlamosArtsCouncil.org

​

1-4 p.m. Cozy Crafternoons @ the Library, Mesa Public Library

The public library invites you for cozy crafternoons with three special crafts provided for kids from age 4-10. All ages are welcome to bring any craft you’re working on- knitting, writing holiday cards, drawing, or anything portable- and hang out at either library. From 1-4 pm in The Zone at Mesa Public Library, library staff will provide hot drinks, cookies, a crackling (onscreen!) log fire, lo-fi beats, and good company. If you’d like to bring a craft to teach others, please do!

​

2-4 p.m. Nutcracker on the Hill, Duane Smith Auditorium

Join us for Dance Arts Los Alamos' twist on the traditional Nutcracker Ballet where characters from the Manhattan Project dance their way through time and magical lands. Featuring DALA dancers and guest artists Christo McMaster and Joey Moore, this year's show will be one to remember!

Other Holiday & Winter Activities

 

Nov. - Dec., "Christmas Baubles" Escape Room, Mesa Top Games and Toys 

Baubles, the elf, has lost Santa's box of magic and needs your help to save Christmas! Great for groups of 2-6 people, ages 8+, ongoing event Sunday-Wednesday weekly. $65 per group.

​

Nov. 24 - Dec., "Affordable Arts" Exhibit, Fuller Lodge Art Center

Celebrate the opening of the annual "Affordable Arts" exhibit with cookies, cocoa, shopping, and live music at the Open House from 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 24th, On Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25, they will have special hours of 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.  For more information: www.LosAlamosArtsCouncil.org

​

Nov- Jan 3, The Gift of Small Paintings, Step-up Gallery at the Mesa Public Library

Featuring an all new collection of original framed paintings by New Mexico artists give the gift of a reasonably priced original painting do your loved ones for every celebration. Online purchasing is available at- https://stepupgallerymarket.artspan.com/home

​

Nov 25, Small Business Saturday

Enjoy a tax-free shopping experience for all your holiday needs, while supporting local businesses. Participating businesses will be highlighted in the Los Alamos Daily Post and on Social Media. Find out more here.

​

Dec 6- 9, Gingerbread House Building, Family Strengths Network

Toddlers' families are supplied with plenty of graham crackers to build a simplified gingerbread house; school-aged children, teens, and adults are supplied with a house-building kit. Everyone enjoys homemade royal icing and decorating materials from a candy buffet.

Sessions:
*Wednesday, December 6th from 10:00 - 11:30 (Toddlers)
*Wednesday, December 6th from 1:30 - 2:30 (School Age/Family)
*Friday, December 8th from 4:00 - 6:00 (Adults/teens)
*Saturday, December 9th from 10:00 -12:00 (School Age/Family)

Cost: Toddler kit: $10
Regular kit: $30

Registration required! Please register here for the specific session you want to attend: https://www.lafsn.org/calendar/gingerbread-house-building/ 

 

Dec 8 - 9, Experience Warren Miller's "ALL TIME" at SALA! 
Get ready for an unforgettable journey through winter sports history with the 74th installment of the Warren Miller series, "ALL TIME." 
Join us at the SALA Event Center on December 8th for an exclusive screening, complete with raffles and a selection of craft beer and wine provided by Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op. It's an evening you won't want to miss!
Showtimes:

• December 8th at 7 PM (with raffles and BathtubRow beer and wine)

• December 9th at 4 PM and 7 PM

For tickets and further information, please visit SALA's Ticket Page.
Let's gear up for an incredible ski season at Pajarito Mountain!

​

Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Pictures with Santa, Smith's Marketplace

Bring a new, unwrapped toy or a monetary donation, and have your picture taken with Santa on a firetruck! Organized by Northern NM Toy Drive and Exit Realty Advantage NM, Los Alamos. 

​

Dec 9, 2 p.m. Winter Sowing, Los Alamos Nature Center

Learn to prepare seeds in winter for the upcoming growing season.

 

Dec 9, 2 p.m. Planeterium Movie: Cosmic Mashups, Los Alamos Nature Center

Stop by the nature center to enjoy a full dome film in the planetarium! $8 per adult, $6 per child. Register in advance at www.peecnature.org

​

Dec. 9, 4-6:30 p.m., "Home Alone," Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium

Join us for a cozy night featuring a hot chocolate bar and a screening of the beloved holiday movie, Home Alone 2. The hot chocolate bar will open at 4 p.m. and the movie will start at 4:30 p.m. Wear your "ugly" holiday sweaters, or pajamas and slippers to get into the holiday spirit!

Run time: 2 hours

Admission: $7

​

Dec. 9, 4 p.m. En Pointe Christmas Recital, "Santa Clause is coming to Los Alamos", Duane Smith Auditorium 

To learn more, email- enpointelosalamos@gmail.com

​

Dec. 9, 7 p.m. Los Alamos Symphony's Holiday Concert, Crossroads Bible Church

Join Los Alamos Symphony for the Holiday Concert. Enjoy favorite traditions like drawing to conduct, singing along to favorites, and listening to your favorite Holiday classics!

​

Dec 9-15, EXIT Realty Advantage NM Presents Northern New Mexico Toy Drive
Join EXIT Realty Advantage NM for the 2023 Northern NM Toy Drive! It’s simple to participate. Just visit their website at www.exittoydrive.com to make a donation, shop a wish list, or find a drop-off location near you.
There are also fun events coming up in Los Alamos to support the Toy Drive:  
Dec. 9: Los Alamos Fire Department will host pictures with Santa at Smiths Marketplace! Bring a new unwrapped toy or a cash donation and get your picture taken with Santa on a firetruck! 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Smiths Marketplace in Los Alamos.
Dec. 15: 6th Annual Ugly Sweater Party! Join us at Fuller Lodge at 6:30 p.m., Vanilla Pop at 8 p.m.! Cash Beer & Wine bar provided by Bathtub Row Brewing! Link for presale tickets at www.exittoydrive.com .  Presale tickets are $20. $25 at the door. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to the party! Silent auction, and prizes for best ugly sweater. See you there!

​

Dec 10, 4 - 7 p.m. Luminaria Walk, North Mesa Stables

Stroll through the North Mesa stables, and enjoy hot drinks, snacks, and a chance to see animals and your neighbors! Sponsored by the Los Alamos Stable Owners Association. This event is free and open to the public.

​

Dec 12, 5:30- 7 p.m. PJ Party, Family Strengths Networks

Join FSN for an evening of fun and snacks in your pajamas! This event is free and open to the public.

 

Dec 13, 10:30-11 a.m. Toddler Tunes, Family Strengths Networks

Children and parents sing, play instruments, and dance together while FS and staff share simple ways to engage children in music and movement! This event is free and open to the public.

 

Dec 13, 16, 5:30- 7 p.m. Make your own holiday drum, Family Strengths Networks

Join FSN for kid-friendly hands-on STEM activities! This event is free and open to the public.

Dec 13, 1:30-2:30 pm

Dec 16, 10 am - 12 pm

​

Dec. 14 & 21, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.,  Holiday Farmers Market, Fuller Lodge
Join us in Fuller Lodge for live music and holiday produce, baked goods, and gifts on Dec 14 and 21 from 9 am-1 pm! The Farmers Winter Market will continue each Thursday at the Fuller Lodge overflow parking lot, from Dec 7 through April 25, 2024.

​

Dec 14, 3:30 p.m. Hawk Hangout, Los Alamos Nature Center

 

Middle schoolers are welcome to enjoy board games, films, and snacks at December's clock hangout at the nature center. This is a free event.

 

Dec 15, 7 p.m. Cosmic dawn: The First Galaxy, Los Alamos Nature Center

Explore what happened when the first galaxies began to omit light in what has changed since then as a full dome film in the planetarium! $8 per adult, $6 per child. Register in advance at www.peecnature.org

 

Dec 16, 2 p.m. Planetarium Movie: Superpower Dogs, Los Alamos Nature Center

Stop by the nature center to enjoy a full dome film in the planetarium! $8 per adult, $6 per child. Register in advance at www.peecnature.org

​

Dec 16, 7 p.m. Los Alamos Community Winds Prism Concert, Crossroads Bible Church

LACW’s annual concert in the round celebrating the holiday season. If you are a musician or performer of any kind and would like to participate, please contact LACW at info@lacw.org.

​

Dec 23, 3:30 p.m.- 5 p.m. Skate with Santa, Los Alamos Ice Rink

Santa always takes time during his busy holiday schedule to visit the ice rink. He is bringing his elves to greet boys and girls, and hand out candy canes! Santa and his elves will pose for pictures on and off the ice.

$2.50 for ages 5 & under
$6.50 for ages 6+
Includes skate rental and admission.

​

Dec 23 Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, Pajarito Mountain

Wear your ugliest sweater and show some Christmas cheer at the mountain. Also, receive 15% off at the store. If you're wearing an ugly Christmas sweater! Visit www.pajarito.ski for more information.

​

Dec. 24, 5 - 7 p.m. Luminaria Skate, Los Alamos Ice Rink

Start a holiday tradition with family and friends by spending Christmas Eve at the ice rink. Luminarias, holiday music, and lights will transform the rink! Admission includes coffee and cocoa. 

Know more here- https://www.losalamosnm.us/Parks-and-Recreation/Recreation/Recreation-Facilities-Activities/Ice-Rink

​

Dec 30, 2 p.m. Planetarium Movie: Fantastic Fractals, Los Alamos Nature Center

Stop by the nature center to enjoy a full dome film in the planetarium! $8 per adult, $6 per child. Register in advance at www.peecnature.org

​

Dec 31, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. “Noon” Year’s Eve, Mesa Public Library & White Rock Library

Activities, music, and fun to ring in the new year at noon. This fun activity is scheduled for both the Mesa Public library and the White Rock Library branch. Show up to your nearest library at noon for a party!

​

Dec 31 Atomic Follies New Year’s Eve Cabaret, Los Alamos Little Theater

In partnership with the Atomic Follies, Los Alamos Little Theatre, Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District, this 18+ ticketed event is where you want to be on New Year's Eve! Complete with live music, food, dance numbers and more! For more info visit Lalt.org 

​