Spotlight: Festivals & Markets
With wild spring weather easing into the long, sunny days of summer, it’s a perfect time to put on some sunscreen and head outside. In addition to the festivals featured below, mark your calendars for:
- The Bernalillo Indian Arts Festival happening the weekend of May 3.
- The Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival also happening the weekend of May 3.
- The Cinco de Mayo Folk Art Festival happening on Sunday, May 4.
- The Albuquerque Turkish Festival also happening on Sunday, May 4.
- The country music festival Boots in the Park happening the weekend of May 17.
- The New Mexico Wine Festival happening the weekend of May 24.
Plus, May provides plenty of markets to visit in Albuquerque! Start with this neighborhood association page on the CABQ website to see if your neighborhood will host any farmers’ or crafts markets this summer. And don’t miss these great options happening this month:
- The Downtown Growers’ Market, which happens every Saturday from 8:00 AM until noon through November 8.
- The Winrock Artisan Market at the new Winrock Park uptown, happening every Saturday from 8:00 AM until noon now through October 25.
- The Rail Yards Farmers’ Market, which starts up again on Sunday, May 4 from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM through October 26.
- Mamas and Makers Market on Saturday, May 10, from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM at El Vado, across from the Botanic Garden.
- El Mercadito Del Valle’s Mother’s Day Market, from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM on Saturday, May 10, at 3915 Central Ave NW.
Leaps of Faith: Elyse Fahey on Dance, Discipline, and Doing the Work
Meet Elyse Fahey, an Albuquerque-based choreographer and performer whose work blends physical rigor with emotional depth. In this short portrait, Elyse opens up about her creative process, the discipline behind her practice, and what it means to stop waiting for permission and go all in.
5 Things To Do in May
Hydrate with Watercolors
The New Mexico Watercolor Society presents its Spring Exhibition from May 3 through May 25 at the Hispanic Arts Gallery at EXPO NM, with more than 200 original paintings for sale. The Opening Reception and Award Ceremony will take place from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 3. Admission is free to the ceremony as well as to the show’s regular viewing times, which will be from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the month.
We are Albuquerque!
Created in 2017 “as a love letter to Albuquerque,” SOMOS ABQ returns this year as a large-scale, all-ages arts and culture festival starting at 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 10 at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Sample from local food trucks, shop local businesses, discover local artists, get your face painted, and listen to a variety of live music coming from three stages. Plus, there’ll be large-scale art installations, creativity workshops, and a sunset dance party! Find ticket information and other details here.
Pop it like it’s hot
Hear local choir group Quintessence perform Pop Tarts, a fun assortment of Top 40 pop music hits from artists like Chappel Roan and Elton John. This family-friendly show begins at 3:00 PM at St. John’s United Methodist Church of Albuquerque on Sunday, May 18. Tickets are $25, or if you prefer to watch from, say, the Pink Pony Club, you can buy a virtual ticket for $12. And if you’re really inspired by the group, you can join them for free sing-alongs at parks around town—no previous singing experience necessary! Learn more about the group and buy tickets here.
Sing (and dance and paint and craft) your way to Singing Arrow
On Saturday, May 3, grab your littles, your viejos, and everyone in between and head to the Singing Arrow Community Center near Tramway and Central for the 2025 Multicultural Arts Festival. Organized by the City of Albuquerque’s Youth & Family Services Department, the festival runs from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM and will feature dance performances, work by local artists, music, and more. While you’re there, check out the amenities of the community center and the surrounding Singing Arrow Park. The festival welcomes all ages—and it’s free!
Raise a toast (or paw or hoof…) to Mom
Surround your mama with the other animals she loves by going to Mother’s Day at the Zoo on Sunday, May 11, from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Live music and themed discovery stations will be at different locations throughout the park, with food and drink specials and free face painting. Visit CABQ.com for more info and to buy tickets—tickets are for reserved times and range from $3.25 to $13; kids under age 2 are free and BioPark Society Members receive 50% off.
