7 events/72 hours: Events to attend this weekend
Dec. 29—As 2022 winds down, there are plenty of events to help usher in 2023.
You don't have to be a night owl, either. Early birds can also ring in the New Year and be home in time to watch the ball drop on TV.
Can't stay awake until midnight to ring in the New Year? The Albuquerque Museum has an event for you.
1. New Year's Eve Before Dark
New Year's Eve Before Dark is a free event and runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Participants can create a 2023 calendar based on Eddie Dominguez's "Correspondence" (currently on view in "Common Ground: Art in New Mexico").
The museum is located at 2000 Mountain Road NW. Visit cabq.gov for more info.
2. Ring in the New Year
Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque Intentional Balloon Museum is inviting visitors to "Ring in the New Year with Balloons, Balloons, Balloons!"
The free event from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 31, will celebrate 2023 with balloon science activities, hands-on New Year's crafts, music and more.
The museum is located at 9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE Visit cabq.gov/artsculture/balloonmuseum/events for more info.
3. Carry a torch
Several New Mexico ski areas will be celebrating New Year's Eve with torchlight parades on Saturday, Dec. 31.
—Taos Ski Valley, 116 Sutton Place, Taos Ski Valley: 5-8 p.m., torchlight parade will begin around 6:15 p.m. with fireworks to follow, skitaos.com.
—Angel Fire Resort, 10 Miller Lane, Angel Fire: 6-7 p.m. enjoy the torchlight parade and fireworks, angelfireresort.com.
—Red River Ski & Summer Area, 400 Pioneer Road, Red River: 7 p.m. Fireworks on The Face follow the torchlight parade, redriverskiarea.com.
4. Drop it like It's hot
From 9 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Dec. 31, enjoy live music from musical guests Memphis Band, carnival games or grab a bite with one of the food vendors.
Entry into the event is free.
Will the chile be red or green this year? Only 2023 will tell ...
5. Singing in the New Year
Opera Southwest is singing in the New Year with its "New Year's with the Opera!" variety show.
The show will feature opera favorites and light classics with performers from Opera Southwest, Opera Southwest Chamber Orchestra and the Albuquerque Youth Symphony.
The concert will start at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, in the Albuquerque Journal Theatre at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 Fourth St. SW. Tickets run $15-$73, plus fees at operasouthwest.org. For an additional $95 you can attend the after-party at La Fonda del Bosque with dinner and champagne.
6. A site to behold
Noches de Luminarias is returning to Fort Selden Historic Site on Saturday, Dec. 31, after a two-year hiatus.
From 5-9 p.m. visitors can tour the ruins and take in the glow of over 800 luminarias.
Tickets will be $5 for adults, free for children 16 years old and younger, at my.nmculture.org. Fort Selden Historic Site is located at 1280 Fort Selden Road in Radium Springs.
7. Birds of a feather
Can you find a partridge in a pear tree in New Mexico? Or four calling birds?
Every year the National Audubon Society holds the annual Christmas Bird Count. This will mark the 123rd event and the count will run through Jan. 5 in locations across the state.
The feathered friends at the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge will get counted beginning at 7 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30. Those wishing to participate can meet at the visitor center, 7851 Second St. SW.
Email valledeoro@fws.gov to sign up for the Valle de Oro Christmas Bird Count or visit audubon.org for more locations in New Mexico.
Head out to the Downtown Plaza de Las Cruces for the Ninth Annual Chile Drop in Las Cruces.
Got an event we should know about? Reach out to features@abqjournal.com.
