The 7 Best Fall Festivals In New Mexico For 2023 Will Put You In The Autumnal Spirit

What plans do you make during the fall months? Do you enjoy leaf-peeping around the state? How about a colorful fall hike? While the state steps into a different rhythm during the autumn months, a whole new world of activities seems to follow. Pumpkin picking, apple picking, hayrides, and haunted houses are just a few of the enjoyable activities we can enjoy this time of year. And then there are the slew of fall festivals that hit the calendars! We searched high and low and put together this list of some of the best fall festivals in New Mexico that are sure to put you in the spirit of the season.

Manzano Mountain Retreat, 210A Los Pinetos, Torreon, NM 87061, USA

Manzano Mountain Retreat & Apple Ranch/Facebook

If you've searched for a "fall festival near me," perhaps this one came up for you on the web. Located in Torreon, Manzano Mountain Retreat is hosting its annual Harvest Festival from Sept. 22 - Oct. 22, 2023, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Once you find out all that's in store, you'll be making your fall plans to include this event! Bring the whole family and enjoy apples, cider, a climbing wall, family-friendly games, food, tours, and more. What a way to ring in the season!

Visit the Manzano Mountain Retreat website to buy tickets and follow the Manzano Mountain Retreat Facebook page for more information.

Nichols Ranch and Orchards, 236 Cottonwood Canyon Rd, La Luz, NM 88337, USA

Nichols Ranch and Orchards/Facebook

If you're looking for fall festivals near Alamagordo, look no further than the third annual Apple Festival On September 30 and October 1, 2023, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tickets are $10, and children ages 12 and under are free. This festival of fall fun will have food vendors, cider donuts, live music, beer, wine, arts and crafts vendors, caramel apples, and even a petting zoo!

Visit the Nichols Ranch and Orchards website to purchase tickets and follow the Nichols Ranch and Orchards Facebook page for updates.

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Village of Corrales, 4324 Corrales Rd, Corrales, NM 87048, USA

Corrales Harvest Festival/Facebook

For fall festivals near Albuquerque, New Mexico, head to the village of Corrales, a suburb of the city on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2023. During this time, the Corrales Harvest Festival will be happening and you won't want to miss it! This fall event has been going strong since 1985 and is a great event to get a feel of the village's agricultural and cultural community. For even more fun during the event, be sure to attend The Hootenanny on Saturday night!

Visit the Corrales Harvest Festival website and Corrales Harvest Festival Facebook page for more information.

Brandenburg Park, 100 E Main St, Red River, NM 87558, USA

Visit Red River, NM/Facebook

Close to the Colorado-New Mexico border lies the town of Red River. Each year, this town hosts its epic 18th Annual Oktoberfest. This year's much-anticipated event will be held Oct. 6 - Oct. 8, 2023, and will make you feel like you're in a Bavarian country. Enjoy live entertainment, a beard and mustache competition, art vendors, food vendors, a kid's zone, and, of course, beer. Don't forget to wear your lederhosen!

To learn more about Oktoberfest in Red River, visit the Red River website as well as the Red River Facebook page.

334 Los Pinos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507, USA

El Rancho de las Golondrinas/Facebook

For fall festivals near Santa Fe, nothing is quite like the Harvest Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas. This year marks the 51st Annual Harvest Festival and it will be held Oct. 7 - Oct. 8, 2023. El Rancho de las Golondrinas is a 200-acre living history museum with 30 historic buildings surrounded by the fall foliage of the cottonwood trees. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to stomp grapes, pick out pumpkins, make crafts, sample local food vendors, and more. This is a can't-miss fall event in Santa Fe!

Visit the El Rancho de las Golondrinas website to purchase tickets and follow the El Rancho de las Golondrinas Facebook page for updates.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, 4401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA

Brigitte Thompson/iStock / Getty Images Plu via Getty Images

One of the most amazing fall festivals near Albuquerque is its hot air balloon festival. Nothing rings in the fall season quite like the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This special event will be held Oct. 7 - Oct. 15, 2023, and will feature over 600 hot air balloons in a kaleidoscope of colors. Even better, there's another event occurring during the time of the festival. An annular solar eclipse will happen sometime after 9 a.m. on October 14 during the festival. While it's happening, don your solar eclipse glasses and view the eclipse while the festival puts on a balloon glow.

Visit the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta website to purchase tickets and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Facebook page for updates.

Expo New Mexico, 300 San Pedro Dr NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA

New Mexico Brew Fest/Facebook

For fall events in and near Albuquerque, you can't go wrong with a beer festival! This year's New Mexico Brew Fest will be held on Oct. 14, 2023 at Expo New Mexico. This is one of the most popular beer festivals in the country and, if you're a craft brew aficionado, you'll want to attend. Dozens of breweries, cideries, and distilleries from around the state will be here. It's possible you'll discover your new favorite brew here this year!

Check the New Mexico Brew Fest website to purchase tickets and follow the New Mexico Brew Fest Facebook page for more information and updates.

So, will you attend any (or maybe all) of the best fall festivals in New Mexico this year? If your favorite isn’t on this list, please mention it in the comments along with any other fun activities you enjoy this time of year. Happy autumn!

Have you thought about embarking on a fall hike in New Mexico this year? Just remember to download the AllTrails+ app to find some of the best trails around the state.