It’s not every city that celebrates our country’s birthday with pancakes. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, Pancakes on the Plaza is an important part of the Fourth of July holiday. From fireworks to barbecue, music, and shopping, there’s plenty going on to keep you busy in Santa Fe on the Fourth of July! Let’s dive into this popular summer holiday and find out how to celebrate Independence Day in Santa Fe.
What to Do in Santa Fe for the Fourth of July
Start Independence Day at Pancakes on the Plaza, where you can enjoy a stack of mouthwatering pancakes while supporting the Rotary Club. This popular event has been part of Santa Fe for 45 years and not only includes delicious flapjacks, but a car show, arts and crafts booths, and kids contests. Plan to spend your day on and around the Santa Fe Plaza to get your Fourth of July off to a great start. If you want to stay downtown for the weekend, check out our lodging suggestions below.
What better (and safer) way to experience fireworks this year than heading to Santa Fe Place Mall for a display hosted by the City of Santa Fe in collaboration with the Kiwanis Club? The event starts at 4 p.m., including live music with local bands Una Mas y La ChaCha, the Alex Maryol Band, Dream Noise, and False Summit. DJs from Hutton Broadcasting’s Outlaw Country 107.5 and Jam’n 94.7 will be adding to the fun. You can also visit food trucks and a Santa Fe Brewing Co. beer garden. The kids will have a blast with activities like a bounce house carnival, balloon twisting, glitter tattoos, and face painting. You can also enter to win gift cards for retailers in the mall, which will open at noon!
If you’re looking for an entire week of fun (July 3 – 8, check out Family Week at Ghost Ranch! Spaces for a few more families are currently available with registration due by Friday, June 24. The unforgettable experience in an iconic setting features morning classes and activities like pastel painting, photography, jewelry making, and fused glass. Afternoons can be filled with art classes, demonstrations, and time to swim or nap. The evenings are focused on family-oriented activities. On Independence Day, create floats for a ranch parade, then enjoy a BBQ supper and family Olympics. Learn more about the family week and lodging options here.
A new spin on Fourth of July fun is being offered by George R.R. Martin and Sky Railway, the Fourth of July Lamy BBQ & Picnic with food, drinks, and live music by The Widow Oxley Band, Geoffrey Castle, and the Sugar Mountain Band. There will also be an outdoor screening of the Fourth of July classic, Yankee Doodle Dandy. It all takes place from 2 to 10 p.m. at 152 Old Lamy Trail. The movie screening, presented by Sky Cinemas, begins at 8 p.m.
Head to Los Alamos for the July 4th Spectacular, which takes place at Overlook Park in White Rock from 4 to 9 p.m. Although there won’t be fireworks due to fire restrictions, there will be music performances headlined by New Mexico country music star and The Voice winner Chevel Shepherd. The music kicks off at 4 p.m. with Los Alamos Jazz Project, followed by Gabriella Salazar. Austin Van takes the stage right before Chevel. There will also be nonprofits, exhibitors, and food vendors to round out your holiday fun.
How about spending active time out in nature to celebrate, like taking the family out on the river? Running the river since 1978, Los Rios River Runners has something for almost every family, with rafting and multi-sport options available, like “paddle and saddle” and “rock and raft” adventures. Expertly guided river runs are available on the Rio Grande and Chama rivers. Whether you’re looking to have a full-day, half-day, or two-day rafting experience, reserve your trip with Los Rios River Runners now.
If, on the other hand, you’d prefer to have fun indoors, how about taking the family to The Alley in DeVargas Center? It is a 12-lane bowling center with bocce, billiards, darts, shuffleboard, and an arcade. Enjoy a drink from the bar and tapas, sandwiches, or hearty entrées from the El Sabor kitchen.
You can even kick off your Fourth of July weekend on Saturday, July 2, with a fun activity that supports Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Hi-Low Ride for Kids. Get together your friends who bike or low-ride and join Big Brother Big Sisters on an epic ride on the High and Low Ride to Taos. All entry fees and funds raised will support Big Brothers Big Sisters in your local community! It’s only $25 per person and kids ride free in this family friendly event! Learn more about the ride here and then sign up here.
Then, extend your Fourth of July weekend a bit by celebrating the opening of the seasonal Santa Fe Farmers’ Del Sur Market on Tuesday, July 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. Get the details here.
Check our July events calendar for more holiday weekend fun, like Sol Sundays Get Free Festival and the Santa Fe Wine Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas.
Where to Eat in Santa Fe for the Fourth of July
For a cold brew and a delicious meal, visit Hidden Mountain Brewing Co. They’re open regular hours Saturday and Sunday of the Fourth of July weekend but will be opening at 11 a.m. and closing at 6 p.m. on the Fourth of July. The menu is filled with delicious appetizers, soups, salads, tacos, New Mexico specialties, and, of course, their wide range of beers, from Oatmeal Stout to Road Runner IPA.
For a mid-day Fourth of July celebration, head to Bishop’s Lodge for lunchtime fun from noon until 2 p.m. Enjoy a barbecue lunch with hot dogs, burgers, pork ribs, and non-alcoholic drinks (cash bar available) along with games, face painting, live music by Manzanares, and spirited entertainment by Wise Fool. Get it all for $69 for adults and $20 for kids ages 5 to 12. Order your tickets here. If barbecue isn’t your thing, book a reservation at Skyfire, the Bishop’s Lodge restaurant instead. (Read our Heating It Up story about Skyfire’s new chef here.)
Where to Shop in Santa Fe for the Fourth of July
If a holiday means an extra day to go shopping for you, how about visiting James Kallas Jewelers for something special? James Kallas Jewelers has been part of Santa Fe since 1996 and offers custom jewelry design, repairs, and a wide selection of gold, silver, and turquoise jewelry, with over half of their beautiful pieces created in-house.
Another shopping opportunity during the holiday is Las Cosas Kitchen Shoppe and Cooking School. Whatever you might need to whip up a special holiday meal, whether you’re grilling or baking, can be found right here! Their helpful and knowledgeable staff can guide you to just the right thing. Check their website to find out when the next cooking class will be offered and take your kitchen skills to the next level.
You might need some beer or wine to help celebrate the holiday at home. Look no further than Susan’s Fine Wine and Spirits! With their location now on Aqua Fria Street, it’s easy to stop by and get something for the holiday. (Read our Heating It Up Story about Susan’s here.)
For your medical cannabis needs, visit Minerva Canna on Cerrillos Road or their downtown location on Water Street south of the plaza. They offer edibles, vapes, infused body products, and more.
Where to Stay in Santa Fe for the Fourth of July
If you’re visiting Santa Fe for the holiday or have more family coming from out of town than you can fit into your home, we have some suggestions for lodging that will make the experience even better. For those looking for a more rural experience with Southwest charm and elegance, try Bishop’s Lodge and you’ll be there already for the barbecue!
If you want to be in the heart of downtown Santa Fe and take a leisurely stroll over for Pancakes on the Plaza Monday morning, there are several fine options. Consider Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, which is often lauded as one of the best hotels in Santa Fe by travel magazines. If you go there on a Tuesday instead of over the holiday, you can take part in Taco Tuesday at the Anasazi Restaurant Bar & Lounge from 5:30 to 9 p.m. (Read our Heating It Up story about them here.)
You can book a room at the Drury Plaza Hotel for an elegant weekend and dine at their Masterpiece Grill. Another downtown option is the Inn of the Governors, with well-appointed rooms and a pool to take a dip after you finish your pancakes!
This article was posted by Cheryl Fallstead
