Experience the Magic of December

December 9, 2025

Experience the Magic of December in Aztec, New Mexico

Discover a holiday season where history and culture meet festive charm. Every December, Aztec, New Mexico, comes alive with Christmas lights, ancient traditions, and vibrant events, creating a magical experience for locals and visitors alike. If you're seeking small-town warmth and holiday cheer, Aztec is the perfect destination. 


This December, enjoy dazzling parades, cozy open houses, and unique cultural moments that cater to every interest. 


Kick Off the Festivities with Local Talent 

Start the season with Open Mic Night at Feat of Clay, where you can enjoy music, poetry, and storytelling in a welcoming co-op gallery. Connect with the local arts scene or even take the stage yourself for an authentic Aztec evening. 

Light Up the Night at Aztec Sparkles 


The highlight of the season is Aztec Sparkles, a weekend of holiday magic. 


The Christmas Parade 

Catch the Aztec Sparkles Christmas Parade on Main Avenue, featuring beautifully decorated floats, performers, and community groups. The twinkling lights and cheerful atmosphere are perfect for all ages. 

Open House & Extended Hours 


Visit the Aztec Museum & Pioneer Village during the Aztec Sparkles Open House to explore the area's rich history while enjoying festive decorations. Local shops like Feat of Clay will also have Extended Hours, offering handcrafted gifts and holiday cheer. 

Honor an Ancient Tradition at the Winter Solstice 

At the Aztec Ruins National Monument, witness the breathtaking alignment of the sun’s rays with the back wall of the Aztec West great house during the Winter Solstice. This peaceful event connects you to the ingenuity and celestial knowledge of the Ancestral Pueblo people. 


Share in the Spirit of Giving on Christmas Day 

Join the community on Christmas Day at the Aztec Senior/Community Center for a free Christmas Day Dinner. This heartwarming gathering ensures no one spends the holiday alone, reflecting the generosity and kindness of Aztec. 


Plan Your Holiday Adventure 

Aztec offers something for everyone, from the festive cheer of Sparkles to the quiet reverence of the Winter Solstice. Visit our Event Calendar for times, dates, and details—and make this holiday season unforgettable in Aztec, where history and community come alive.

Experience the UNESCO World Heritage Aztec Ruins

February 20, 2025
Among the many astonishing things that can be enjoyed and explored in the American Southwest is the Aztec Ruins National Monument, a major Ancestral Puebloan ruins located in Aztec that dates back to the 12th century - some 900 years ago. This 27-acre site, located near the banks of the Animas River, is so significant that in 1987 it was designated with the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site title, awarded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization because of its special cultural or physical significance. In the United States, there are only 24 UNESCO Sites, a list that includes the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park and the Statue of Liberty. Constructed primarily of stone and mortar - plus pine, spruce, fir, pinon, juniper and aspen tree trunks carried in from as far away as 30 miles, the ruins consist of an integrated network of massive masonry and “apartment” houses. The main West Ruins covers two acres, once standing three stories high and containing approximately 500 rooms.

Quality Waters of the San Juan River Are World-Class

February 9, 2025
Sensational trout fishing is experienced virtually the entire length of the San Juan River in northern New Mexico, however on one particular stretch, a 4.5 mile expanse located immediately below Navajo Dam, the river has earned world-class “Quality Waters” status due to its extraordinarily ideal year-round temperatures and singular riparian habitat. In fact, studies have shown the Quality Waters of the San Juan River teem with an estimated 80,000 rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout that average 17 inches in length, with a huge proportion exceeding 20 inches. Local fishermen and women call them “lunkers,” with many regarded as state and national records that are released back into the river’s crystal-clear depths. The first quarter mile of the river, immediately after the dam, is designated as a Catch & Release area. All hooks must have barbs removed, flies and lures must be artificial, and every fish must be returned to the river regardless of size. After that and for the next four miles, fishing still mandates artificial flies and lures with barbless hooks, but regulations allow a one-trout-limit… and only if the fish exceeds 20 inches.

Aztec Arches

January 2, 2025
There are so many extraordinary things about Aztec, including fabulous events, top-shelf recreation, enviable climate, rich history and eclectic, small-town pleasures. Yet there is one Aztec asset few visitors know very much about: the massive collection of nearby sandstone arches. So far, more than 300 arches of varying size have been discovered, and every single one is within an hour’s drive of Aztec. Some are no larger than a basketball (windows), while others are big enough to walk through. And several, quite sadly, are destined to last for a very short time due to erosion. Falling arches are part of nature’s natural cycle.