Things to Do in Santa Fe, NM in September 2026
September might be the best-kept secret on the Santa Fe calendar. The summer crowds thin out, the aspens start their slow turn toward gold in the high country, and the city throws itself into three weeks of nonstop celebration — Zozobra, Fiesta de Santa Fe, and the Wine & Chile Fiesta all land within a few weeks of each other. If you're weighing a visit, a move, or you already call Santa Fe home and just want to make the most of the month, here's your guide.
Burn Your Troubles Away at Zozobra
Friday, September 4, 2026 — Fort Marcy Park
Santa Fe's most beloved (and strangest) tradition kicks off the month. Since 1924, locals have gathered to burn a 50-foot marionette known as Zozobra, or "Old Man Gloom," in a ritual send-off of the past year's troubles. Expect fire dancers, a packed field, and a genuinely electric, communal energy — this is Santa Fe at its most unguarded and fun. Tickets go fast, so plan ahead if you want in.
Fiesta de Santa Fe
September 5–13, 2026 — Santa Fe Plaza and around town
The 314th Fiesta de Santa Fe follows right on Zozobra's heels, and it's the oldest continuously celebrated community festival in the United States. Expect the Mariachi Extravaganza, the Fiesta Fine Arts and Crafts Market on the Plaza, historic pageantry, parades, and the Bandstand's live entertainment. It's a deep dive into the layered Spanish, Pueblo, and Mexican heritage that shapes this city's identity — and one of the best times of year to feel the "City Different" nickname in action.
Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
September 22–27, 2026 — Restaurants and venues citywide
Now in its 35th year, this is one of the premier culinary events in the Southwest, pairing roughly 60 of Santa Fe's top restaurants with around 90 wineries from around the world. The week includes cooking demonstrations, winery dinners, seminars, and the not-to-miss Grand Tasting at Magers Field in Fort Marcy Park on Saturday, September 26. If food and wine are your love language, build your September trip around this week.
Beyond the Big Events
September's calendar has plenty more going on beyond the headline festivals:
Santa Fe Artists Market — Saturdays along the Railyard, across from the Farmers Market, featuring juried local artisans working in every medium imaginable.
Railyard Farmers Market — A Santa Fe staple, still running strong into fall with the season's chile harvest, produce, and flowers.
Live music at Meow Wolf and the Santa Fe Opera House — September brings a strong touring lineup to town, from indie acts to legacy performers.
Gallery walks on Canyon Road — Cooler evenings make September ideal for strolling the galleries at a relaxed pace.
Get Outside While the Weather's Perfect
September delivers some of the most comfortable weather of the year in Santa Fe — warm, dry days in the 70s and 80s, cool nights, and none of the summer monsoon unpredictability. It's an excellent window for:
Hiking in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, including the Dale Ball Trails and Atalaya Mountain
A day trip up to the Santa Fe Ski Basin for early aspen color at higher elevations
Exploring Bandelier National Monument or taking the High Road to Taos before the fall crowds arrive
Thinking About Making Santa Fe Home?
Watching this city come alive in September — the burning of old troubles, a centuries-old fiesta, world-class food and wine — is a pretty good way to understand why so many people who visit end up moving here. If you're exploring what it would look like to put down roots in Santa Fe, I'd love to help you find the right neighborhood and home for the life you're picturing.
Craig — City Different Homes, The Bunny Terry Group
