ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Some shoppers here in the Metro headed to big box stores in search of good deals this Black Friday. Some others opted for a different experience with unique gift ideas.

The Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival got underway in the morning at the Manuel Lujan building at Expo New Mexico. The event featured original products from craftsmen and artisans from across the country.

Organizers said the offerings up for sale aren’t the kinds of things you can just pick up in stores.
The event continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and again Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is $10, but kids get in free.

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Check out community events around New Mexico from November 29-December 5.

Albuquerque

• November 29 Family Friday Shop and Stroll – Bring your friends and family to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center for a holiday shop and stroll event with games for kids, Pueblo Santa, photos with Santa, artists, ornament making, s’mores, hot chocolate, Pueblo pies, and more treats for everyone. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• November 29 Wreath Making Workshop – Using dried berries, gorgeous greenery, and other natural elements foraged from around Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm, learn how to make a beautiful wreath infused with New Mexican touches. This event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and costs $150 per person (or $100 for inn guests).
• November 29-December 1 New Mexico Artisan Market – Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town hosts New Mexico’s premier boutique holiday shopping experience. Shop locally curated, handcrafted, artisan goods from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets are $15.
• November 29-December 1 24th Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Holiday Festival – Kick off holiday shopping while supporting artists at the largest holiday art festival in New Mexico. Shoppers can find memorable and original gifts at this three-day event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $10.
• November 30 Winrock Wonderland Holiday Market – From 2 to 6 p.m., visit Winrock Town Center Park for a showcase of over 80 local artisans, makers, food trucks, and live entertainment, including a special Nutcracker performance by the New Mexico Ballet.
• November 30-December 30 River of Lights – New Mexico’s largest original walk-through holiday light show runs until Dec. 30th from 5 to 10 p.m. daily.
• November 30-December 8 The Nutcracker Ballet – Kick off your holidays and experience the magic of The Nutcracker Ballet, presented in Popejoy Hall on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7 and 8. This timeless tale of wonder features stars from the New York City Ballet and San Francisco Ballet plus a full live orchestra from the New Mexico Philharmonic. Showtimes and ticket prices vary.
• December 2 A Drag Queen Christmas – The longest-running drag tour in America, this 10th Anniversary Tour hosted by Nina West starts at 8 p.m. with a VIP Meet & Greet starting at 6 p.m. This event is for ages 18+, with tickets starting at $45.
• December 5 Nob Hill Shop and Stroll – Started in 1995 by local Nob Hill Merchants, Shop & Stroll is intended to highlight local retailers in the Nob Hill neighborhood during the holiday season. This free event runs from 5 to 10 p.m.
• December 5-29 Winter Wonderland NM – A New Mexico favorite, Winter Wonderland NM at EXPO NM returns for the 2024 season. This event runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Dates vary. Tickets start at $30.

New Mexico

• November 29 2024 Santa Fe Plaza Holiday Lighting – The City of Santa Fe’s annual Holiday Plaza Lighting ceremony will be held from 4:15-8 p.m. on The Plaza.
• November 30 MarketMusic – Listen to Baroque Christmas music from around the world from 12 to 1 p.m. Guest soprano Jennifer Perez sings works reflecting Germanic, French, Italian, and Peruvian holiday traditions at the New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe.
• November 30 Holiday Lighted Bike Ride – Join a guided, lighted bike ride through old Mesilla and Mesilla Park and get into the Christmas spirit. Enjoy refreshments and listen to holiday music along the 4.72-mile ride through Las Cruces from 6 to 8 p.m. Bring your own bike and save $10.
• November 30 Holiday Market/Holly Day Magic Art & Craft Show – Support Roswell and small businesses to find the best goods for your holiday shopping from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a $5 entry fee.
• November 30 Christmas Light Parade – Tucumcari’s Annual Christmas Light Parade will be held on Small Business Saturday at 6 p.m. starting at Del’s Restaurant.
• November 30 Small Business Saturday and Holiday Craft Show – Visit the Eagles Club in Espanola starting at 10 a.m. Enjoy discounted breakfast from The Beast Food Truck with early bird registration.
• November 30 Stargazing/Meteor Shower Watch Party in the Caldera – Take in the majesty of the celestial sky and the Leonids meteor shower at Valles Caldera National Preserve, an International Dark Sky Park. Bring water, snacks, a red light, telescope (if you have one), and your own seating. The event starts at 7 p.m.
• November 30 101st Battle of I-10 – Watch the NMSU Aggies play the UTEP Miners in the 101st football rivalry game in Las Cruces. Tickets start at $12 and the game starts at 2 p.m.
• December 4 2024 Native Arts & Crafts Christmas Bazaar – From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., the entire community is invited to attend and enjoy a day filled with beautiful artistry and cultural celebration. Get into the holiday spirit with unique, handcrafted gifts at this Farmington event.
• December 5 Adulti-Verse: Bizarre Bazaar with ArtWalk Santa Fe – Enjoy holiday shopping, crafting, and festive beverages at Meow Wolf. Tickets start at $25 for New Mexico residents. This event is for ages 21+ and starts at 6 p.m.

Albuquerque Notices

🔶 City of Albuquerque hosting series of community meetings on homelessness – The city of Albuquerque is looking to hear from the community about housing and homelessness in the metro. The city is hosting a series of community meetings called “Constructive Conversations.”

🔶 Albuquerque Environmental Health Dept. shares Thanksgiving food safety tips – With Thanksgiving this week, the City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department is reminding residents to prioritize food safety. The department shared the following tips to consider when buying, preparing, and cooking Thanksgiving food.

🔶 Boots In The Park festival returning to Albuquerque with headliners Luke Combs, Cody Johnson – Country musical festival Boots In The Park is returning to Albuquerque with a new format and performers in 2025. The festival will now take place over two days, May 17 and 18, at Balloon Fiesta Park.

🔶 LIST: Free Thanksgiving meal giveaways in Albuquerque – Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and several Albuquerque community organizations have events set up to help make sure everyone has access to a holiday meal. Here, you will find a list of free meals and food giveaways happening in November 2024.

🔶 Thanksgving 2024: Which Albuquerque, Santa Fe operations are impacted? – This year, Thanksgiving falls on November 28, which means Black Friday is on November 29. Both Albuquerque and Santa Fe will have closures to observe the holiday.

🔶 Albuquerque Luminaria Tour returns for 59th year – The annual Luminaria Tour is returning for its 59th year. The popular tour takes guests through some of the most festive neighborhoods in Albuquerque, including Old Town and the Albuquerque Country Club.

🔶 Albuquerque holding annual crossing guard food drive – The annual City of Albuquerque Crossing Guard Food Drive is coming up December 2 – 10. Crossing guards at locations throughout the city will be collecting non-perishable items.

🔶 Albuquerque department sheds light on object attached to some parking meters – A recent video circulating on social media has people wondering what the devices mounted on Downtown parking meters are. As it turns out, they are nothing new. 

🔶 City completes medical sobering facility at Gateway Center – The City of Albuquerque celebrated a milestone on Monday as they are preparing to open a sobering center. They hope it will address a crisis in the community while easing the burden on emergency rooms.

🔶 Prepare for busy airports and roads, Sunport says – The Albuquerque Sunport is prepping for a busy holiday week as they expect hundreds of thousands of flyers. According to airport officials, more than 170,000 people will be traveling through the airport over the next few days.

New Mexico Notices

🔶 Experts say it’s time to increase the 911 surcharge in New Mexico by 99 cents – Every New Mexican with a phone bill has been paying the same rate for 911 fees since 1989. However, on Monday, officials from the New Mexico Association of Counties say it’s time for a fee increase.

🔶 Corrales leaders warn residents about a rise in coyote attacks – A growing number of coyote attacks has Corrales city leaders warning neighbors. Additionally, some think the village needs to bolster its efforts in addressing the problem.

🔶 New Mexico receives $18.6M to help residents heat their homes during winter – The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) received $18.6 million of Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds to help New Mexicans stay warm and safe during this winter season. LIHEAP is a federal program administered by the Health Care Authority and currently provides utility assistance to 30,219 lower-income households across the state.

🔶 Fees waived on Black Friday at New Mexico state parks – Those looking for an outdoor activity during the Thanksgiving break have a cheap option with state parks here in New Mexico. The State Energy and Mineral Department said Black Friday will be a free-use day for all 35 parks in the Land of Enchantment. However, some parks may be closed due to seasonal hours.

🔶 New Mexico providing emergency SNAP support to people impacted by flooding – The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) is providing emergency support to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers impacted by severe flooding in Chaves County and other affected areas. This assistance includes replacing lost food benefits, reissuing EBT cards, and temporarily allowing hot food purchases. 

🔶 When do New Mexico, Southern Colorado ski resorts open? – Ski season is upon us and New Mexico and southern Colorado ski resorts are getting ready to welcome the public. Here is a list of area ski resorts and when they’re scheduled to open.

🔶 PODCAST: Why Are New Mexico’s Children At Risk? – When it comes to overall child well-being in New Mexico, the state ranks 50th in the nation according to a ‘Kids Count’ report. But that ranking doesn’t even include child abuse and neglect data. What sort of indicators are used to measure child welfare? And how can New Mexico move out of last place?

🔶 New Mexico Game and Fish releases video about turkey conservation – New Mexico Game and Fish is highlighting their turkey conservation efforts ahead of Turkey Day. The department said that in the 1930s, there were only about 30,000 wild turkeys left in the US. Thanks to conservation efforts, that number grew to more than 7 million by 2010, and officials hope to continue the trend.

🔶 New Mexico representative steps down to focus on health after re-election – A state representative from Milan has retired from the legislature to focus on his health. Eliseo “Lee” Alcon, a Democrat was elected to the state house in 2009, where he advocated for New Mexico veterans, the economy, and the environment.

🔶 Teen arrested for Roswell-area school threats – Roswell Independent Schools said the teenager has been arrested after they made threats against schools in the area. According to the district, they were alerted by the FBI early Friday morning of potential threats made against the schools on social media.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – If you have a hard time wrapping gifts, the county’s Animal Care Services is here to help.

Starting December 2, they will be hosting their annual holiday gift-wrapping fundraiser.

All proceeds will help the Quality Life Fund which supports crucial initiatives such as free microchip and vaccine clinics, emergency medical expenses, and much more. Gift wrapping services will be available at different prices depending on the size and complexity of the item.

For more information on appointment availability and prices, click here.