The Albuquerque Historical Society & the Historical Society of NM
Encourage your participation in the following history & cultural events:
THE ALBUQUERQUE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Enjoy the holidays – no December program. Next program January 18, 2026. Free parking & free admission to the ABQ Museum in Old Town. albuqhistsoc.org.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NEW MEXICO. New Mexico became the 47th state on January 6, 1912. Read about it, https://newmexicohistory.org/n
Dozens of December special events, speakers, music performers, craft programs, children’s events and more at your 19 public library branches. Pick up Event guide at any branch or go to abqLibrary.org for daily schedules.
Special events all of December at Petroglyph National Monument, 899-0205; Valles Caldera National Preserve, 670-1612; and Salinas Pueblos National Monument, 847-2585. Call and check their websites for details.
INDIAN PUEBLO CULTURAL CENTER — Cultural dances every Saturday and Sunday at 12 noon. More info and ticket prices at indianPueblo.org. Also you may view at no cost, the Pueblo Gingerbread House contest in the lobby at IPCC.
DECEMBER 3, 12 NOON, free by Zoom. From Mines to main Street, The Enduring Legacy of NM Burros presented by Shane Wiegand, founder NM Pack Burros. Sponsored by the Friends of the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe. Nmhistorymuseum.org.
DECEMBER 5, 5-8 pm, free. ALBUQUERQUE ARTS CRAWL, Open house at various art galleries around ABQ, meet and visit with artists in person. Artscrawlabq.com.
ALL OF DECEMBER, Historic Fairview Cemetery, 700 Yale SE. Come clean a plot to commemorate the past. The cemetery is open dawn to dusk and accessible through the gates of Fairview Memorial Park. www.HistoricFairviewCemeteryAB
DECEMBER 4, 5:30-7PM, FREE. Make unique luminarias with paint and cut outs. All materials provided. Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo NE, 505-888-8100.
DECEMBER 4, 5-8 pm, free. Casa San Ysidro. Noche de Luces. Enjoy this once a year opportunity to be at Casa san Ysidro at night. Luminarias, refreshments. 973 Old Church St. in Corrales. Contact Aaron Gardner, agardner@cabq.gov, 505-898-3915.
DECEMBER 5/6/7, 10am-4 pm, free. 37th annual juried Winter Craft Show at Old Church in Corrales. 966 Old Church Rd. CorralesHistory.org.
DECEMBER 5/6, 9-4 pm, free. Holiday Fair Plant and Craft Sale at Albuquerque Garden Club, 10120 Lomas NE, 505-296-6020. Poinsettias, Christmas Cactus and more.
DECEMBER 5, 5:30 pm, free. “Hanging of the Greens” a 100 year tradition at UNM. Start at the Bookstore then walk and sing carols at the President’s house. Program concludes at historic Hodgin Hall with more singing and refreshments. More info at 505-277-4706.
DECEMBER 5, 6-8pm, free. Maxwell participates in UNM Hanging of the Greens with an open house, music, refreshments and sale in the store. Isleta pueblo bread freshly made in the courtyard horno. Maxwell Museum, 500 University Blvd. NE. More info at MaxwellMuseum.unm.edu.
DECEMBER 6, 8:30-11:30 am, free. Bosque Wild walk. Meet at the Open Space Visitor Center, 6500 Coors NW.
DECEMBER 6, 12 noon-1pm, free. Author Martha Sandweiss speaks about her book: The Girl in the Middle: A recovered History of the American West. Wheels Museum, 1100 2nd SW. More details WheelsMuseum.org, 505-243-6269.
DECEMBER 6, 10-11am, free. Author Sharon Niederman speaks about her book New Mexico’s Tasty Traditions. Niederman describes recipes from traditional NM holiday foods. Wheels Museum, 1100 2nd SW. More details WheelsMuseum.org, 505-243-6269.
DECEMBER 6, 10am-4pm, free. Pop Up store with the Friends of the Library at Cherry Hills Library, 6901 Barstow & Harper NE. Like-new books, CDs, DVDs and more. All proceeds help City County Library System. FriendsofthePublicLibrary.org.
DECEMBER 6, 3-4 pm, free. Enjoy a classical guitar concert by the NM Youth Guitar ensemble directed by Del Norte HS teacher Liza Gatica. International Distric Library, 7601 Central NE, 505-768-4970. abqlibrary.org.
DECEMBER 6, 3-4 pm, free. Sandia Mountain dulcimers play these unique instruments. Rudolfo Anaya Library, 7704 2nd NW, 505-897-8823.
DECEMBER 6, 10:30 – 12 noon, free. Go home with a festive decoration -Make a holiday wreath-one per family, all materials provided. San Pedro Library, 5600 Trumbull SE, 505-256-2067.
DECEMBER 6, 11am-1pm, free. Pinata time-make a traditional Mexican pinata. South Valley Library, 3904 Isleta SW, 505-877-5170. abqlibrary.org.
DECEMBER 6, 11am-12 noon, free. “The Enchantment ABQ Handbells” perform. Martha Liebert Library, Bernalillo, 145 Calle Malinche, 505-867-1440.
DECEMBER 6, 2-4 pm, free but must register. Make holiday elves. Juan Tabo Library, 3407 Juan Tabo NE, 505-291-6260.
DECEMBER 6, 5:15 pm, free. Twinkle Light Parade along Central between Washington and Girard in Nob Hill. More info at 311.
DECEMBER 6, 4pm, KNME NM PBS ¡COLORES! Ch. 5.1, repeats DECEMBER 7, 8pm, Ch. 5.4. The story of Kei and Molly Textiles helping newcomers and immigrant women.
DECEMBER 7, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (1941)
DECEMBER 7, 3pm, free. ABQ Concert Band preforms a holiday concert and caroling sing-along at KiMo Theatre. 5th & Central NW.
DECEMBER 7, 2 pm, free. Bunny O’Hare & Convoy: Local author and historian Richard Melzer discusses two movies made in the Belen area in the 1970s. Belen Public Library, 333 Becker Ave. Sponsored by the Valencia County Historical Society. More info at vchs.org.
DECEMBER 7, 10am-4pm, free admission to all NM residents. Art Gallery at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Nhccnm.org.
DECEMBER 7, 2-4 pm, free. Platicas Publicas: In the Gallery with the Artists. Voces del Pueblo-NM artists who were among earliest generation of activists in NM. National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th SW. Nhccnm.org.
DECEMBER 7, 10am-2pm, free Make one -of-a-kind ornaments using vintage issues of NM Magazine. NM History Museum, nmhistorymuseum.org, 113 Lincoln Ave in Santa Fe.
DECEMBER 7, 5:30-7 PM, free. Los Posadas on the Plaza, 49th annual event on the Santa Fe Plaza presented by Holy Cross Catholic Church of Espanola.
DECEMBER 8, 11:45-1pm, free. Annual “legislative preview” with award winner journalist Patrick Lohman. His writing can be seen at sourcenm.com. Membership not required to attend. Food purchase on your own. Weck’s Restaurant, 7301 Paseo del Norte NE.
DECEMBER 8, 6 pm, free. Innocence Regained: The Christmas Poems-2025-1969. Local author, columnist V.B. Price reads from the 50 year collection of his Christmas poems. Program at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande NW.
DECEMBER 8-16, various times, free. There is a “wait list” for most events. Celebrate Jane Austen’s birthday week at Cherry Hills Library, 6901 Barstow NE, 505-857-8321.
DECEMBER 9, runoff election for ABQ Mayor and City Council districts 1 and 3. More info and poling places at 311.
DECEMBER 9, 6-7 pm, free. Enjoy songwriter & singer Zenobia with a free concert of blues, pop, disco and gospel. International District Library, 7601 Central NE, 505-768-4970.
DECEMBER 10, 4-5 pm, free but you must register. Make a teacup candle gift. Tony Hillerman Library, 8205 Apache NE, 505-291-6264.
DECEMBER 10, 6 pm, free. Las Posadas Y Los Pastores at Old San Ysidro Church. Includes the San Ysidro Church Choir. 966 Old Church Rd.
DECEMBER 11, 5:30-7pm, free. Learn about ancient Druid winter practices and make an ornament. Erna Fergusson Library, 3700 San Mateo NE, 505-888-8100. abqlibrary.org.
DECEMBER 12, 5:30-7:30pm, free. Enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of the Palace of the Governors and Courtyard with decorations & farolitos. Features live music and Santa Claus. NM History Museum, nmhistorymuseum.org, 113 Lincoln Ave in Santa Fe.
DECEMBER 12, Pojoaque Pueblo Feast Day.
DECEMBER 13, 10-11 am, free. Notorious RBG: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s connection to NM presented by Dianne Layden, Ph D. Wheels Museum, 1100 2nd SW. More details WheelsMuseum.org, 505-243-6269.
DECEMBER 13, 10:30am-12 noon, free. “Race in New Mexico, a digital history of the South Broadway neighborhood” will be discussed by Dr. Natasha Howard from UNM. Special Collections Library, Central & Edith NE, be aware of parking restrictions. 505-848-1376.
DECEMBER 13, 1-2 pm, free. New Mexico Women’s Chorus performs a free concert of inspiring music. Pat Baca/Central Unser Library, 8081 Central NW. 505-768-4320.
DECEMBER 13, 1-2 pm, free. Dedication of the mural on the exterior wall of the Wheels Museum, 1100 2nd SW. More details WheelsMuseum.org, 505-243-6269.
DECEMBER 13, 10 am-4pm, $2. Monthly sale featuring “Like-New books” sponsored by the Friends of the ABQ BernCo Public Library. Main branch, 5th & Copper NW. Will carry purchase to your vehicle. Two-hour free parking across the street at the City garage. Bring your ticket in to be stamped. All proceeds benefit the Library. FriendsofthePublicLibrary.org.
DECEMBER 13, 3 pm, free. “Tuba Christmas”– hear dozens of local musicians play tuba & euphonium. Old Town Gazebo.
DECCEMBER 13, 3-4 pm, free. Geologist & educator Jayne Aubele describes “The Geologic History of ABQ”. Tony Hillerman Library, 8205 Apache NE, 505-291-6264.
DECEMBER 13, 9am-2pm, free. Winter Solstice Festival. Make a seed mandala, opening blessing, story telling with solstice themes. Open Space Visitor Center, 6500 Coors NW. For full schedule, contact 505-768-4951 or depps@cabq.gov.
DECEMBER 13, 4 pm, free. Enjoy a concert by the UNM Songwriters. Los Griegos Library, 1000 Griegos Rd. NW, 505-761-4020.
DECEMBER 13/14, 10am-4pm, free. Winter art show and sale by youth from the Native American portal program. Lobby of the NM History Museum, nmhistorymuseum.org, 113 Lincoln Ave in Santa Fe.
DECEMBER 13, NM PBS KNME, 4pm, Ch. 5.1. On ¡COLORES!, Former ABQ Poet laureate Jessica Helen Lopez reflects on her work. Repeats DECEMBER 19, 8pm, Ch. 5.4.
DECEMBER 13, free. 10-4pm, Belen, NM craft fair on Becker Street and Miracle on Main St. parade at 6pm.
DECEMBER 14, 12:30-3 PM, $5 and free to age under 12. Hanukkah celebration at the JCC, 5520 Wyoming NE. Music, games, food for sale.
DECEMBER 14, 5:30 pm, free. Luminito Celebration. Is it luminarias or farolitos? Music, lights, matachines dance, holiday mercado and more. National Hispanic Cultural Center. nhccnm.org.
DECEMBER 14, 1 pm, free. Open House & pot luck sponsored by the Sandoval County Historical Society. SandovalHistory.org. Off 550 in Bernalillo just west of the River.
DECEMBER 14 – 22. Observance of Hanukkah.
Science on Tap takes a December break. Museum of Nuclear Science, 601 Eubank SE. NuclearMuseum.org.
DECEMBER 14, 1 pm, free. Holiday Open House featuring the Pueblo Enchantment youth dancers from Acoma Pueblo. Decorate cookies, make luminarias. Children get free book. Refreshments. Placitas Library, 453 Highway 165 in Placitas, 505-867-3355.
DECEMBER 15 National Bill of Rights Day observes Dec. 15, 1791 when the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution were ratified. https://nationaltoday.com/
DECEMBER 18, 3:30-4:30 pm, free. Make Beautiful holiday gift bags. Alamosa Library, 6900 Gonzales SW, 505-836-0684.
DECEMBER 18, 7pm, free. The NM Interfaith Dialogue presents “I am a Jew and Here’s what I want people to know about my Faith”, speaker is Gordon Bronitsky. Raindrop Foundation Building, 7901 Mountain Rd. NE.
DECEMBER 18/19. Free. Festival of the Nativities, over 100 unique and different nativities on display. Historic San Ysidro church 966 Old Church Rd. Sponsored by the Corrales Historical Society
DECEMBER 19, NM PBS KNME Ch. 5.1, 9pm. Craft in the American West features the Institute for American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.
DECEMBER 20, 11am-1pm, free. Annual holiday party with refreshments, children’s activities. Wheels Museum, 1100 2nd SW. More details WheelsMuseum.org, 505-243-6269.
DECEMBER 20, 3-4 pm, free. Enjoy the Holiday Dulcimer concert by Scott & Irma Reeder. Tony Hillerman Library, 8205 Apache NE, 505-291-6264.
DECEMBER 20, NM PBS KNME ¡COLORES! Ch. 5.1, 4 pm, repeats Dec. 26, Ch. 5.4, 8pm. The Farolitos of Christmas, illustrator Amy Cordova describes illustrating the Rudolfo Anaya classic.
DECEMBER 21, WINTER SOLSTICE (shortest day of daylight).
DECEMBER 22-JAN. 5 APS students winter break.
DECEMBER 24 NM PBS KNME Ch. 5.1, 7pm Carols & Lullabies: A Rose in Winter-performed by the Santa Fe Desert Chorale. New & Beloved carols / a northern NM tradition. Repeats Dec. 25, 3pm, Ch.5.5; Dec. 25, 8pm, Ch. 5.4.
DECEMBER 25 Observance of Christmas.
DECEMBER 26-JANUARY 1, KWANZAA. Weeklong Celebration of African-American culture and themes of unity, creativity, faith and giving.
DECEMBER 31, several library branches have “Noon-Year” festivities. 10-12noon: Make Party hats at Pat Baca/Central Unser; New Year’s eve party for pre-school age children at Taylor Ranch, 5700 Bogart & Montano NW, 505-897-8816
DECEMBER 31, 11am-12:30pm, free. “Noon-Year” holiday party. Come greet 2026. Martha Liebert Library, Bernalillo, 145 Calle Malinche, 505-867-1440.
DECEMBER 31, 11am-2pm, free. Early New Years Eve celebration at ABQ Museum. Includes games, activities, “countdown” to 2026.
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge.7851 2nd St. SW, 505-248-6667.
Valles Caldera National Monument on NM 4 north of Jemez Springs. Go to nps.gov/vall for information. 39201 NM 4. Jemez Springs, NM. Call 505-670-1612 for more info.https://www.fws.gov/refug
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument near Mountainair. Contact Natalia Sanchez Hernandez for more info. Call 505-847-2585, nps.gov/sapu/planyourvisit or call 505-847-2585 X 221.
Randall Davey Audubon Center and sanctuary, 1800 Upper Canyon Rd. in Santa Fe. Tour the gardens and historic Randall Davey house. Fridays @ 2 pm are docent led house tours, $5. Saturdays @8:30 am are guided bird walk. More info at RandallDavey.audubon.org. Monday – Saturday, 8am-4pm.
INDIAN EDUCATION AT UNM, iaie.unm.edu. Watch several previously recorded programs about Native American education, the Dine language and more.
HISTORIC SANTA FE FOUNDATION (historicSantaFe.or
The Wheels Museum, 1100 2nd St. SW. Monday -Thursday, 9 am-12 noon, Sat. 12 noon-2pm. Call first to confirm, 505-243-6269 or info@wheelsmuseum.org
MURALS OF ALBUQUERQUE (www.murosabq.com) This shows over 130 murals in the ABQ metro area. You click on each picture and it shows the mural, gives its title and address, describes the image, and the artists.
Cibola County History Museum, 525 West High St., Grants NM. Go to the museum’s Facebook page for more information.
NUCLEAR MUSEUM – The Museum has a huge collection of oral history interviews (also transcribed) called Voices of the Manhattan Project. There are some 600 interviews of individuals who were either at the Manhattan Project or a family member who worked there. The interviews are organized into 39 categories such as: Internment of Japanese Americans, Life in the Secret cities, Hispanic employees, Native American. https://www.nuclearmuseum.org/
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Historic Fairview Cemetery, 700 Yale SE. invites anyone to come and hoe tumbleweeds and goat heads. The cemetery is open dawn to dusk and accessible through the gates of Fairview Memorial Park. Wear hard soled shoes & bring your own tools. www.HistoricFairviewCemeteryAB
AMAZING HISTORY / CULTURE OPPORTUNITIES ONLINE
Many of the museums and cultural centers in the ABQ metro area have put programming on their websites, Facebook pages or YouTube links. This includes everything from:
- concerts, history lectures, video tours of various museum collections,
- photograph pod casts, curriculum and study guides for children, audio interviews,
All of this is free and even “low tech” individuals can navigate these websites. There are YouTube channels available at no cost to watch to all. You are urged to explore many websites but especially these:
- NEW MEXICO HISTORY IN TEN MINUTES (newmexicohistory.
org) On the home page, go to the bottom and click on Video of the Month. The entire list of episodes will appear by clicking on the corner of the video. NM State Historian Rob Martinez is most engaging and informative and there are more than 40 Episodes. The episodes may be heard in chronological order or by topic which is introduced in the first minute or so of the episode. - CIVIC AUDITORIUM HISTORY VIDEO (1957-1986) www.modernabq.org. Go to the Resources Tab, then the drop down to the three Civic Auditorium videos. They tell the story of the structure: why it was built, how it was used and why it was ultimately demolished.
- HOLOCAUST MUSEUM and GELLERT EDUCATION CENTER NM, 616 Central SW. Go to the website nmholocaustmuseum.org. Questions call 247-0606.
ALBUQUERQUE HISTORICAL SOCIETY ARCHIVED VIDEO PROGRAMS
The Albuquerque Historical Society provides videos of scheduled program presentations. The videos are linked from the appropriate AHS Program pages. Presentations captured on videos to date include:
- Steel Gangs, New Mexico’s Native American Railroad Workers
Fred Friedman, October 19, 2025 - The Kubié family, Kurt’s Camera Corral and Jim Kubié’s Rail Yards Photos
Roland Penttila, September 21, 2025 - Celebrating 70 Years of Music: 95.5 Classical KHFM
Brent Stevens, July 20, 2025 - Petroglyph National Monument
Nancy Hendricks, June 15, 2025 - The Crash of TWA Flight 260, 70 Years Later
Terry Owen, February 16, 2025 - Features of the Long Walk to the Bosque Redondo
Roger Zimmerman, January 19, 2025 - Don Perkins: A Champion’s Life in Albuquerque
Richard Melzer, October 20, 2024 - Remember the Alvarado!
Chuck Larrabee and Joe McKinney, September 22, 2024 - Arches and Artistry: A Chronicle of Albuquerque’s Alvarado Hotel
Matt Kluge, July 21, 2024 - Maisel’s Murals
Paul Secord, June 16, 2024 - History of Telephones in New Mexico
Susie Turner, April 21, 2024 - The Downtown Albuquerque Walking Tour: For People Who Prefer to Sit
Roland Penttila, January 21, 2024 - Movies Made in Albuquerque
Jeff Berg, November 19, 2023 - What’s in a Name?
Elaine Briseño, October 15, 2023 - Albuquerque’s Involvement with the American Space Program
Loretta Hall, September 17, 2023 - The Role of the New Mexico State Historian
Rob Martinez, August 20, 2023 - Historic Fairview Cemetery: THE Place to be Buried Since 1881
Gail Rubin, July 16, 2023 - History of South Broadway and Kirtland Addition Neighborhoods
Anthony “Tony” DellaFlora, June 18, 2023. - The Heritage of Historic US Route 66 in Albuquerque
Roger Zimmerman and Melissa Lea Beasley-Lee, April 16, 2023 - History of Mariachi in Albuquerque
Peter Sanchez, March 19, 2023 - Biography of Casey Luna
Dr. Richard Melzer, February 19, 2023 - History of The University of Albuquerque
John Taylor, January 15, 2023 - History of UNM Press: The Largest Book Publishing Company in New Mexico
Beth Hadas, November 20, 2022 - One With the Land: Voices of the Atrisco Land Grant
Anthony “Tony” DellaFlora, October 16, 2022 - One With the Land: Voices of the Atrisco Land Grant
Anthony “Tony” DellaFlora, October 16, 2022 - Picture This!: Online Storytelling Through Photo Archives
Jill Hartke, September 18, 2022 - The History of Public Art Urban Enhancement in Albuquerque
Sherri Brueggemann, August 21, 2022 - Neighborhoods at a Crossroads: Hoffmantown
Anthony DellaFlora, July 17, 2022 - African American Homesteaders in Albuquerque
Rita Powdrell, June 19, 2022 - Victory from the Shadows
Elaine Carson, March 20, 2022 - The Ten Dons, Plus One
Kathy Seidel, February 20, 2022 - Erna Fergusson, First Lady of New Mexico Letters
Joe Sabatini, January 16, 2022 - The History of Los Poblanos
Kate Garner, November 21, 2021 - Stories of Early Albuquerque
Rosemary McNerney Winkler – October 17, 2021 - Overhaul: A Social History of the Albuquerque Locomotive Repair Shops
Richard and Shirley Cushing Flint – September 19, 2021 - Building Community & Culture: Jews in 20th Century Albuquerque
Harvey Buchalter, July 18, 2021 - Life of Mrs. Carnis Salisbury: Albuquerque Fair Housing and Civil Rights Pioneer
Brian Eagan – June 20, 2021 - Doing History in a City Looking Forward
Albuquerque Museum Director Andrew Connors – April 18, 2021 - 60th Anniversary of Little Beaver Town
Roland Penttila – March 21, 2021 - An Iconic View: A Photographic Study of First and Central, 1880 to 2020
Richard Ruddy – February 21, 2021 - Historic Fairview Cemetery: Final Resting Place for Notable People in Albuquerque History
Gail Rubin, CT – January 17, 2021 - The Spanish Flu Pandemic in New Mexico 1918-1920
Rick Hendricks, Ph.D, – November 15, 2020 - Architectural History of Albuquerque’s Old Main LibraryTeri Reynoso – October 18, 2020
- The Photo Heritage of Eddie Ross Cobb and Daphne Cobb: Unbending Courage and Creativity
Sueki (Susan) Woodward – September 20, 2020 - They Won the Vote! : Suffrage and Suffragists in New Mexico
Sylvia Ramos Cruz, M.D. – August 23, 2020 - Albuquerque Sculptor Herb Goldman
Lisa Goldman – July 19, 2020 - Secret Albuquerque: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure
Ashley M. Biggers – June 21, 2020 - Albuquerque in the Nuclear Age
Duane Hughes – February 16, 2020
- Early History of the Albuquerque Open Space Program
Rex Funk – January 19, 2020 - A History Lover’s Guide to Albuquerque
Roger Zimmerman – November 17, 2019 - Ridgecrest Area History: The Parkland Hills Addition
William Dodge – October 20, 2019