By The Santa Fe Travel Insider on Jan. 13, 2023
Christmas and New Year’s Eve may be over but Santa Fe’s winter wonderland is still going strong in The City Different. Just a gaze to the east and you will see the Sangre de Cristo Mountain’s gorgeous snowcap! Here are 6 happenings you’ll want to take advantage of while you visit our historic city this February. See why both Booking.com and Condé Nast Traveler chose Santa Fe among manyfar-flung, exotic destinations as an exciting place to travel in 2023.
ART + SOL WINTER ARTS FESTIVAL
Winter in Santa Fe is a magical season—not only is the snow light and fluffy, the skies a bluebird blue, and the sun warm, but The City Different’s vibrant world-class performing arts and culture scene ramps up to offer a rich array of events in music, comedy, theater, dance, and education via the inaugural Art + Sol Santa Fe Winter Arts Festival, a nine-day celebration (February 11-19) and landmark collaborative effort among prominent arts organizations, including Santa Fe Pro Musica, Santa Fe Symphony, and Performance Santa Fe.
EMBRACE THE SNOW
Winter continues to wear her whites up high at our local “hill” with a base elevation of 10,350 feet and a peak elevation of 12,075 feet! Just 16 miles from downtown, Ski Santa Fe offers some of the finest ski slopes in the Southwest, and some of the fluffiest snow. AND some of the most expansive vistas, plus terrain for every skill level with 86 trails. The rental shop is well equipped, as is the onsite retail shop. Choose from two eateries with outdoor decks for soaking in the rays while refueling with delicious regional dishes, BUT if you want to rock out and groove while you eat and regain your energy, try Totemoff’s. On weekends, local musicians play live music for all to hear in the basin. For more ways to enjoy the snow, try one of these five winter adventures.
23RD ANNUAL SANTA FE FILM FESTIVAL
(Poster courtesy of Santa Fe Film Festival)
Celebrating all facets of cinematic arts, The Santa Fe Film Festival (running February 17–26, 2023) honors everyone working both behind the scenes and onscreen to bring the best of film creation, production, and showings to the public. This year, the Festival hosts nearly 75 films, including the first Friday’s screening of When Time Got Louder, featuring Albuquerque actress Willow Shields, the closing night’s film A Stage of Twilight featuring actress Karen Allen of Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Arcfame, who will be honored at the Festival. Also actress Jacqueline Bisset presents two films in which she stars: Sleepy Time Gal and Loren and Rose. Get your tickets!
12TH ANNUAL SANTA FE RESTAURANT WEEK
The time to dine out in Santa Fe is … always, but with the Valentine’s Day vibe upon us, a refreshing winter chill, and early sunsets, February is the month to go. AND, the 12th annual Santa Restaurant Week makes that culinary adventure all the more possible. From February 20 through March 2, dozens of your favorite establishments are excited to welcome diners for lunch and dinner with delicious, economical, signature prix fixe menus. For a look at many of our fine culinary destinations in one spot, flip through our Santa Fe Dining Guide.
CELEBRATE NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY (2/22/23)
Yes, there is a day set aside to pay homage to the tasty cocktail, whose main ingredient—TEQUILA—is distilled from the extracted sugars of the heart of the blue agave plant! Conveniently, The City Different can offer an easy way to celebrate. Taste 40+ of the best margaritas in the world along the Santa Fe Margarita Trail at The City Different’s most popular bars and restaurants. Each locale has created an original, signature margarita, steeped in story for the Trail. Track your progress with the paper Passport, available for purchase at any of the three Visitors Centers in Santa Fe or at participating restaurants or by downloading the app today!
PICK UP A UNIQUE FIND AT THE MERCADO
(Photo courtesy of El Museo de Cultural de Santa Fe)
Come in from the chill to peruse the illustrious winter mercado and its array of Americana, international folk art, vintage Western memorabilia, tribal and global fine art, as well as Native American jewelry and art, vintage and antique American and Western furniture and collectibles, books, textiles, clothing, and works of local artists. Conveniently located at the Railyard, El Museo de Cultural de Santa Fe Winter Market is open on weekends through May 28.
Get a taste of The City Different! Order your Official Santa Fe Visitors Guide now or browse our deals and specials to help you plan your next trip to Santa Fe.