Show off your amazing talent! The Santa Fe Kiwanis Club seeks vocal and musical performers to audition for the opportunity to perform the National Anthem at the 102nd Annual Burning of Zozobra. Auditions will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Santa Fe Convention Center. The selected winner will perform live at Fort Marcy Park on September 4, 2026, before a massive in-person crowd and a global broadcast audience.
This competition provides significant exposure for local talent, with runners-up receiving invitations to perform at other high-profile regional events. Beyond the performance opportunity, the event supports the Kiwanis Club’s mission, which has contributed over $2.5 million to youth programs in the community.
WHAT ARE THE AUDITION DETAILS FOR ZOZOBRA 102?
In short: Audition at the Santa Fe Convention Center on July 25 at 12:30 p.m. for a chance to perform the National Anthem at Zozobra. Runners-up will be selected for other major Santa Fe events, including New Year’s Eve on the Santa Fe Plaza.
- Audition Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
- Time: 12:30 p.m. (Performers must arrive promptly at the start time)
- Location: Santa Fe Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St., Santa Fe, NM
- Eligibility: Open to vocalists and instrumentalists.
- Requirements: Performers must be able to navigate steps to the stage and should be familiar with the history and significance of the Zozobra tradition.
WHY AUDITION FOR THE BURNING OF ZOZOBRA?
- Global Visibility: The performance is broadcast via television and webcast to hundreds of thousands of viewers worldwide, in addition to the live audience at Fort Marcy Park.
- Performance Pipeline: Even those who do not win the top spot may be selected to perform at the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Festival, the July 4th celebration, or New Year’s Eve festivities.
- Community Impact: Participation honors a century-old tradition that serves as a primary fundraiser for children’s programs throughout Northern New Mexico.
PARTICIPATE IN THE ANTHEM SEARCH
This audition is a defining opportunity for musicians looking to showcase their skills on one of New Mexico’s largest stages. Prospective performers should prepare a rendition of the United States of America’s National Anthem and arrive at the Convention Center ready to perform. Please review the history of Will Shuster’s Zozobra before tryouts to understand the event’s cultural importance.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT HAPPENS IF I AM SELECTED AS A RUNNER-UP?
The Santa Fe Kiwanis Club uses these auditions to staff several major community celebrations throughout the year. The first runner-up serves as the official backup for the Zozobra performance and is invited to perform at the 2026 City of Santa Fe New Year’s Eve celebration on the Santa Fe Plaza. The second runner-up is selected to perform at the city’s July 4th event in 2027, while the third and fourth runners-up are invited to perform at the prestigious 2026 Santa Fe Wine and Chile Festival. This structure ensures that multiple talented local performers gain high-level public exposure.
ARE INSTRUMENTALISTS ALLOWED TO AUDITION?
Yes. The audition is open to both vocalists and musical instrumentalists. Solo singers, choirs, and musicians who play an instrument such as a guitar, trumpet or any other instrument are welcome to try out. The primary requirement is that the performance of the National Anthem must be respectful and suitable for a large-scale public ceremony. All performers must also be able to ascend the stairs on the Zozobra stage during the live event at Fort Marcy Park on September 4.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT ZOZOBRA BEFORE TRYING OUT?
Performers are expected to understand the Myth of Zozobra and what the event represents to the Santa Fe community. Zozobra is a 50-foot marionette that symbolizes the gloom and worries of the past year. Its burning is a ritual of renewal and hope. Because the National Anthem sets the tone for this significant cultural event, the judges look for performers who can convey the necessary solemnity and energy required for such a high-stakes tradition. Familiarizing yourself with the Kiwanis Club’s work with local children can also provide helpful context for the event’s charitable mission.
IS THERE A SPECIFIC TIME I SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE CONVENTION CENTER?
All auditioning performers must arrive at the Santa Fe Convention Center by 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The auditions will be first-come, first-serve and are typically conducted in a time-sensitive order; arriving late may result in missing your opportunity to perform for the judges. Please check in at the registration desk upon arrival. Because the Santa Fe Convention Center is located downtown, it is recommended to account for transit time and parking, as the nearby garages can fill quickly on weekend afternoons.
HOW IS THE WINNER ANNOUNCED?
Following the conclusion of the tryouts on July 25, the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe typically notifies the winner and runners-up within a few days. The winner will then begin coordinating with the event production team to prepare for the live broadcast on Friday, September 4, 2026. This preparation includes sound checks at Fort Marcy Park and a review of the event protocols. Being selected as the anthem performer is a major honor, placing the winner at the forefront of one of the most anticipated nights in the New Mexico calendar.
This article was posted by Jess
