ShareTaos Pueblo Pow WowHome Annual Events Page 3 Members of Indian tribes throughout the country gather in Taos to compete in traditional dance competitions. Crafts booths and food vendors ring the pow wow circle during the three-day event. A pow wow is a gathering of Indian Nations in a common circle of friendship. Indian Country is made up of many tribal nations, bands, villages, and pueblos, each with their own traditional tribal beliefs and practices. A powwow is the common fiber which draws Indian people together. It is a time for sharing with old friends and making new friends; a time for singing and dancing. It is also a time for trading — trading craft goods and trading songs. Originally, Indian tribes held celebrations to commemorate successful hunts or harvests. Many tribes had ceremonial dances to prepare for war and to celebrate victories. The old tribal War Dance as it was known and is still called today, evolved over the last four or five decades into a contemporary social dance and the pow wow into a social gathering and celebration time. A pow wow usually begins with a Grand Entry of the dancers. All participants dance into the circle in their respective categories, led into the arena by a tribal elder or veteran carrying a staff of eagle feathers. The eagle feather staff is the universal symbol and “flag” of Indian people throughout North America. When all dancers are in the circle in their respective categories, a flag song or the national anthem of the Indian people is sung, followed by an invocation by a tribal elder. Then the dance begins with intertribal dancing. This is a time when all dancers, competing or not, can “strut their stuff” displaying their best dancing abilities. The dance competition for women and men is divided by age group and dance style. For men these include the traditional, fancy, grass, and most recently, chicken dances. For women the styles include traditional, fancy shawl, and jingle dress dances. The “traditional” dance style can sometimes be separated or combined into a Northern and Southern dance style. Age categories include: Golden, Adult, Teens, Juniors, and sometimes Tiny Tots. Excerpted from AROUND THE DRUM, by Richard Archuleta, Taos Pueblo
ShareMichael Hearne’s Big Barn DanceHome Annual Events Page 3 Celebrating over two decades of amazing of music at Red Willow Park (formerly known as Kit Carson Park), in the heart of Taos, New Mexico. Michael Hearne’s Big Barn Dance Music Festival boasts a lineup of the best artists in Americana, Folk, Bluegrass, Singer-Songwriter and everything in between. Known for it’s intimate concert hall setting, as well as two dance floors, the Barn Dance is a beloved tradition that music lovers and two-steppers alike look forward to year after year. The Big Barn Dance stage has hosted both legendary songwriters and young up-and-comers. A listening room experience in a festival setting, this event has an atmosphere unlike any other. With a large tent and two covered dance floors, the festival is a phenomenal experience whether you’re enjoying the beautiful mountain sunshine or a refreshing New Mexico rain. Enjoy the seated listening room setting throughout the weekend. Then on Saturday evening, the chairs are cleared and the tent becomes the finest dance hall in New Mexico. With restaurants, lodging, shops and local art galleries just a short walk away from the festival grounds, attendees not only get to experience incredible music but explore the vibrant culture unique to Taos.
ShareTaos PrideHome Annual Events Page 3 Taos Pride creates community events to celebrate diversity, increase awareness, and provide a safe place to be exactly who you are! Community events for equality and self-expression: Taos Pride’s mission is to build a diverse, inclusive community through interactive events, programming, and services promoting equality and self-expression.
ShareTaos Opera InstituteHome Annual Events Page 3 TOI has been designed as a highly intensive program for the serious singer, held annually in the beautiful Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico. The Taos Opera Institute invites promising young artists, emerging professionals, and an esteemed faculty to the beautiful Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico. During the program, the students are given an entire semester’s worth of lessons in one month!
ShareMovies on the GreenHome Annual Events Page 3 2026 schedule TBA… The Town of Taos Events Division proudly presents Movies on the Green, a cherished summertime series that brings the community together for free, family-friendly movie nights under the stars. Held at Red Willow Park on select Wednesday evenings during the summer, this beloved event offers an inviting space for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy outdoor cinema in the heart of Taos. Gates open at 5:00 PM, giving guests the perfect opportunity to arrive early, grab a spot on the lawn, and explore a variety of delicious offerings from local food vendors. Each feature film begins promptly at 6:00 PM, creating a relaxed, enjoyable evening filled with laughter, entertainment, and connection. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and picnic baskets for the ultimate movie-watching experience. Please note that this is an alcohol-free event, designed to foster a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Throughout the summer, special evenings may feature live music, themed activities, and character meet-and-greets, adding even more excitement to the lineup. From animated adventures to heartfelt stories, each season’s film selections are thoughtfully chosen to delight audiences of all ages. For more information, contact Judy Esquibel at (575) 751-2037 or email [email protected]. Stay up-to-date by visiting www.TaosNM.gov or following the Town of Taos Community Events on Facebook and @townoftaoscommunityevents on Instagram. Sponsored by The Taos News, Movies on the Green is your invitation to gather, relax, and celebrate summer in Taos.
ShareDennis Hopper DayHome Annual Events Page 3 Taos celebrates the life and times of Hollywood’s rebel icon, Dennis Hopper, with the annual Dennis Hopper Day in Taos, New Mexico. The event includes Dennis’ Birthday Commemoration, the Rebel Film FestivaL, the Easy Rider Rally & Ride, a Buffalo BBQ, and the Village Market. Register now for the Easy Rider Rally & Motorcycle Ride at: https://www.robbyromero.com/easy-rider-ride-registration Dennis Hopper Day is an official proclamation of Taos Pueblo, the Town and County of Taos, and the State of New Mexico. Easy Rider stars Peter Fonda and director Dennis Hopper as two biker buddies — Wyatt, aka Captain America (Fonda) and Billy (Hopper) — who travel through the Southwest and South with the money they made from their last cocaine deal. Famous scenes from Hopper’s iconic counter-culture classic were shot in Taos, including Taos Pueblo, Taos Old County Jail, Stagecoach Hot Springs, and the fields of sagebrush behind the Dennis Hopper Day host hotel, the Sagebrush Inn & Suites. In the rebel spirit of Dennis Hopper, you never know what special guests will show up at Dennis Hopper Day.
ShareMother’s Day Rio Grande Whitewater RacesHome Annual Events Page 3 If you’re looking to make a splash this Mother’s Day, look no further than the Mother’s Day Rio Grande Whitewater Races! The event that brings rafters, canoers, campers and spectators together for a weekend of races, community and fun! Join us in beautiful Pilar, New Mexico!
ShareTaos Winter Wine FestivalHome Annual Events Page 3 A multi-day celebration of food and wine. Every year in Taos visitors and locals alike savor the ability to combine world class skiing with fine wines and great cuisine. The Taos Winter Wine Festival is a long weekend of events featuring the culinary artistry in Taos coupled with wines from Winery Partners from around the world who love to ski. By bringing wineries to Taos to partner with the area’s best restaurants, the schedule of food and wine events features a Reserve Tasting, chef luncheons, Aprés Ski Tastings, a Grand Tasting and wine dinners. If you love to ski, or love fine food and wine, or both, join us!
ShareThe PASEOHome Annual Events Page 3 Transforming community with art and art with community Local and national artists will come together in Taos this fall to participate in The PASEO! The festival will feature works, ranging from low-tech to new media, united by their active engagement with the public and with place, whether projecting on Taos’s adobe walls or lighting up Kit Carson Park. The Paseo Project’s mission is to transform art through community and community through art. In addition to The Paseo Project’s annual outdoor art festival in Historic Downtown Taos, they also host several collaborative community projects each year, and a socially-engaged artist in residence program. Since 2014, artists from all over the world have brought projection, installation, and performance art to the streets of Taos for this free two-night event. The PASEO returns to the streets of Taos this fall, with projection, performance and installation art filling the streets, alleys and courtyards of downtown Taos. For two nights, sunset to 11pm, join us as the community comes together to explore outdoor art for the entire family. The PASEO 2025 theme is “Thresholds” As we stand a quarter of the way into the 21st century, the world finds itself navigating profound transformations. “Thresholds” invites artists and audiences to step into the spaces where change emerges—moments of transition, portals to new realities, and the boundaries that define or divide our collective futures. From the accelerating impacts of climate change to rapid advancements in AI and technology, to shifting cultural and political landscapes, we face a pivotal moment in history. Yet here in Taos, a place of enduring strength, resilience, and community, we are reminded that the power to navigate these transitions comes from our deep seeded roots and connection to place. For centuries, Taos has been a threshold itself—a meeting place of diverse cultures, a landscape of natural beauty, and a community that thrives through connection and adaptability. This theme challenges artists to explore the in-between spaces—where the familiar becomes the unknown, where boundaries blur, and where transformation is both a challenge and an opportunity. Through installations, projection, and performance art, “Thresholds” will not only illuminate the tensions of change but also celebrate the enduring spirit of Taos as a guiding force. Together, we will reflect on where we’ve been, where we are, and imagine what lies ahead for us all in the high desert of New Mexico.
Annual Events Archive - Page 3 of 3 - Taos, NM
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