Thanksgiving always brings an opportunity to take a deep breath and be thankful for the wonders of the year. Here in Santa Fe, we are grateful for the scenic beauty of our mountains and the many unique experiences. From dining in our world-class restaurants to the festivities on the Plaza to the kickoff of the holiday season, Santa Fe is filled with fun. Discover what you can do during the Thanksgiving weekend in The City Different. You’ll be thankful you did.
1. LET OUR SANTA FE CHEFS DO THE COOKING
Take a cue from the locals, and let our world-renowned chefs turn your Thanksgiving into an epicurean feast. A first-class group of extremely talented and well-known Santa Fe chefs are preparing very special Thanksgiving feasts to satisfy everyone in your party! Here are a few restaurants that will be open and pleased to serve you and yours on Thanksgiving Day—Dinner for Two, and SkyFire at Bishop’s Lodge. Check out more here.
2. SKI OR SNOWBOARD THE SANTA FE WAY
(Photo courtesy of Ski Santa Fe)
Did you know you’ll find one the best places to ski and snowboard in the Southwest right here in the Santa Fe? Ski Santa Fe is located high above The City Different, just 16 miles from the Plaza in the beautiful Santa Fe National Forest.
Snow accumulation permitting, Ski Santa Fe opens Thanksgiving day and has a wonderful range of terrain, from isolated beginner slopes to lots of cruisers, some long bump runs, great glades and tree runs, and even a few short chutes and small bowls. The ski area benefits from its 12,075 foot summit, 1,725 vertical drop, 86 trails, and 225 inches of average annual snowfall and the season runs through early spring.
3. SOAK A BIT DIFFERENTLY
A couple soaking at Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort
Warm up and relax at one of Santa Fe’s award-winning soaking spas. Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa Resort earned ranked #2 on the 2022 World’s Best Awards list of the “15 Best Destination Spas in the U.S.” and enjoyed more accolades, along with Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort in the Condé Nast TravelerReaders’ Choice Awards list of “Top Spa Resorts in the United States.” Ojo’s sister spa, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs and Spa Resort, a short and scenic one hour drive north from Santa Fe, is also a splendid option. At all three resorts, enjoy a variety of relaxing and invigorating treatments, delicious cuisine, and a tranquil environment. Plan ahead to chill out as these spots are popular.
4. SHOP FOR A SPECIAL SOMEONE
Looking for authentic Native jewelry? You’ll find it in Santa Fe.
Don’t forget to bring your appetite for shopping with you. You’ll want to begin your search for that elusive holiday “something” here in The City Different. Find beautiful handmade items in our boutiques and trading posts.
See for yourself why Sunset Magazine named Santa Fe the #1 Shopping Destination.
(image courtesy of Gabriella Marks)
Get your holiday shopping done all weekend long at the SWAIA Winter Indian Market (November 25 & 26), where 150 SWAIA juried artists from the 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market will exhibit a wide range of traditional and contemporary Native American art, including jewelry, pottery, textiles, paintings, and sculptures.
5. KICK OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN SANTA FE STYLE
The Santa Fe plaza is transformed into a world of holiday light and wonder.
The official start of the Christmas holiday season begins in The City Different the day after Thanksgiving when, by a flick of a switch around 6:15 pm, the historic Santa Fe Plaza is aglow with 30,000 energy-efficient LED lights. Stay warm with hot chocolate, cookies, and food trucks as you immerse yourself in pleasantly chilly holiday décor. Throughout the event, enjoy musical entertainment and caroling. Though the Mayor of Santa Fe will be there to usher in the holiday fun, it’s that annual arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus via vintage fire truck that creates the excitement.
Get a taste of The City Different! Call me to help you plan your next trip to Santa Fe’s Home Tour.