The 102nd Burning of Zozobra takes place Friday, September 4, 2026, at Fort Marcy Park, featuring a theme honoring America’s 250th anniversary. General admission tickets start at $30 in advance, with various discounts for residents, students, and military, while premium experiences range from $59.99 to $299.99.
Santa Fe’s most iconic annual event, the Burning of Zozobra, returns for its 102nd Burning on Friday, September 4, 2026. Tickets are now on sale. Each year, thousands gather at Fort Marcy Park to watch Zozobra burn, a symbolic farewell to the past year’s troubles. This year’s theme, “The Tyranny of Gloom vs. the Spirit of ‘76,” ties into America’s 250th anniversary, with Old Man Gloom taking on the role of a tyrant before meeting his fiery end. Your participation in this event supports local children’s programs through the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe.
Old Man Gloom swaggers into Fort Marcy Field having plundered King George III’s royal robes, crown, and scepter, and as America marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, Santa Fe answers the only way it knows how. Fifty feet of tyranny. One match. The Tyranny of Gloom vs. the Spirit of ’76.
Write down what’s weighing on you, stuff it into his hollow frame, and watch it go up in smoke alongside a cutting-edge drone show, New Mexico’s best fireworks, and thousands of synchronized LED wristbands turning the crowd into a single sea of light.
Eight premium viewing areas. Two seated options. Valet service to your section. Enhanced ADA access, free water stations, and a keepsake LED wristband with every ticket. And thanks to the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, absolutely no credit card or processing fees. Not a penny.
Come in colonial, patriotic, or festive dress. Come with your gloom in hand. Leave lighter than you arrived.
Every experience is limited and expected to sell out. Gloom doesn’t stand a chance.
Get Zozobra tickets.
What is Zozobra?
If you’re unfamiliar, Zozobra began in 1924 when artist Will Shuster created a small puppet to symbolize collective anxiety. Today, that modest puppet has transformed into a towering, 50-foot-tall marionette known as Old Man Gloom. Each year, community members fill Zozobra with their written worries, anxieties, and regrets, then gather to watch them go up in flames as part of a shared tradition.
Managed by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe since 1964, the event brings the community together while supporting youth programs throughout the region.
Ticket Options for Zozobra 2026
A range of ticket options lets you tailor your experience, from general admission to premium viewing areas with some of the best vantage points in the park. Ten premium ticket options across eight viewing areas:
– The Ultimate Zozobra Experience: $299.99
– Z Zone: $169.99
– ZWE Stacked & Delivered: $269.99
– ZWE Delivered: $219.99
– ZWE Walk-in: $99.99
– Front and Center: $109.99
– The Fire Pit: $104.99
– West of the Wild One: $74.99
– East of the Beast: $65.99
– Ember’s Edge: $59.99– General Admission: $30 flat with no credit card or processing fees– New Mexico Residents: Apply your residents’ discount for $5 off General Admission– Kids 10 and Under: Always FREE in General Admission– Students 11–23 years: Always just $15 in General Admission
– US Military Active or Veterans: $10 off in General Admission– Seniors 65+: $10 off in General Admission
Premium Viewing Locations
Premium ticket areas place you closer to the action with designated viewing spaces. All attendees, including children 10 and under, must have a ticket for certain areas.
Get tickets and see all ticketing details.
Submit Your Gloom: Let it Burn!
Ever wanted to literally set your troubles on fire? You can submit your worries, regrets, and grievances to be placed inside Zozobra before the burn. From unpaid bills to breakup letters, your personal burdens become part of the tradition and are reduced to ashes as Old Man Gloom goes up in flames. Submit your Gloom here.
Get Your Tickets
Tickets for the 2026 Burning of Zozobra are on sale now. Early purchase is recommended, especially for premium viewing areas and discounted general admission windows.
Visit BurnZozobra.com for more details and buy Zozobra tickets. Coming from out of town? Book lodging for your Zozobra weekend in Santa Fe.
Zozobra 2026 Ticket and Event Information FAQs
What is the date and location for the 102nd Burning of Zozobra?
The 102nd Burning of Zozobra is scheduled for Friday, September 4, 2026, at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This historic event serves as a symbolic farewell to the past year’s collective anxieties through the burning of a 50-foot-tall marionette. Attendees gather annually to participate in this tradition, which is managed by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe. This year’s specific theme, “The Tyranny of Gloom vs. the Spirit of ‘76,” celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States. Gates typically open in the evening, and Gates open at 4 p.m., the official program begins at 7 p.m., and the burn takes place at approximately 9:15 p.m., weather permitting. Tickets should be purchased in advance to ensure entry to the park grounds.
How much do tickets cost and are there any available discounts?
General admission tickets are priced at $30 when bought in advance and increase to $40 at the gate on the day of the event. Several discounts are available to make the event accessible: New Mexico residents can receive $5 off between April 19, April 27 and September 3, 2026. Seniors 65+, active military, and veterans are eligible for a $10 discount on general admission and a $5 discount on event day. Additionally, Students between the ages of 11 and 23 can buy tickets for $15. Children aged 10 and under receive free entry for general admission areas, though they require a paid ticket for all premium viewing sections.
What are the premium viewing options for the 2026 event?
– The Ultimate Zozobra Experience: $299.99
– Z Zone: $169.99
– ZWE Stacked & Delivered: $269.99
– ZWE Delivered: $219.99
– ZWE Walk-in: $99.99
– Front and Center: $109.99
– The Fire Pit: $104.99
– West of the Wild One: $74.99
– East of the Beast: $65.99
– Ember’s Edge: $59.99
There are several premium viewing areas that provide closer proximity or elevated vantage points. The Ultimate Zozobra Experience is the highest tier at $319.99, $299.99, featuring a private dinner, escorted entry, and the chance to roast marshmallows over the embers. The “Z” Zone costs $159.99 $169.99 and includes valet coach transport and raised platform seating with refreshments. Other options include Front and Center ($99.99 $109.99), The Fire Pit ($95.99 $104.99), East of the Beast ($59.99 $65.99), and West of the Wild One ($69.99 $74.99), and Ember’s Edge ($59.99). These areas have limited capacity and require a ticket for every attendee regardless of age, including children under 10.
How can I participate in the tradition of submitting my gloom?
You can submit your worries, regrets, or grievances to be placed inside the Zozobra puppet. Known as “submitting your gloom,” this process allows your personal burdens, such as breakup letters or unpaid bills, to be physically placed within the 50-foot marionette. When Zozobra is set on fire at the climax of the event, these written worries are reduced to ashes, symbolizing a fresh start. Gloom submissions can be purchased online at the official event website, BurnZozobra.com, or at designated locations leading up to the burning on September 4.
Where do the proceeds from the Burning of Zozobra go?
The Burning of Zozobra is a community-focused event managed by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, a responsibility they have held since 1964. Proceeds generated from ticket sales and gloom submissions are used to support local children’s programs and youth initiatives throughout the region. By attending the event or purchasing premium experiences, guests contribute directly to the well-being of the Santa Fe community. This charitable mission ensures that while the event provides a symbolic release of “gloom” for the participants, it simultaneously provides tangible financial support and resources for the next generation of New Mexicans.
This article was posted by Jesse Williams
