Fun Things to Do in Santa Fe This Summer
Visiting Santa Fe this summer? The City Different has a wealth of activities to keep you occupied from sunrise to sunset and beyond. Whether you’re looking to explore the great outdoors, experience a little culture, or something in between, Santa Fe has something for everyone!
Live Music
If you’re looking to catch some live music, and maybe even a show, Santa Fe has concerts and performances all summer long.
Santa Fe Bandstand
Located in the heart of downtown on Santa Fe’s historic Plaza, the Santa Fe Bandstand hosts concerts several evenings a week from June to August. Featuring bands and musicians from a wide variety of genres and traditions, the Santa Fe Bandstand is fun for the whole family! Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and a picnic, and enjoy a live performance on a beautiful summer evening.
Music on the Hill
Music on the Hill is a free concert series organized and sponsored by St. John’s College, a small liberal arts college with a campus nestled in the foothills of Santa Fe. On Wednesday evenings in June and July, a variety of live musical performances take place on the St. John’s athletic field. The concerts are located a few miles from downtown on the historic east side, with a free shuttle to ferry concertgoers to and from the event. As with the Santa Fe bandstand, bring blankets, chairs, and a picnic to fully enjoy this fun summer spectacle!
Santa Fe Opera
The Santa Fe Opera draws hundreds of visitors to Santa Fe each year. Located just a few miles outside of the city in a stunning open-air theater, the Santa Fe Opera features several world-class productions a year. The season runs from June through August, with a variety of seating options to suit every budget. As Santa Fe nights can get chilly, they encourage bringing blankets and jackets for evening performances. You can even join the fun and bring food and drink to tailgate in the opera parking lot!
Outdoor Excursions
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, Santa Fe has plenty to offer. In the summer months, there are a wide variety of options, from rugged mountain trails to easy river walks.
Dale Ball Trails
The Dale Ball Trail network stretches twenty-two miles along the northeast side of Santa Fe, and offer hiking trails for novices and experts alike. There are a wealth of options to choose from, making this a great way to explore a variety of local trails. If you’re looking for a moderate day hike with great views, try summiting Picacho Peak. For an easier stroll, check out the Canyon Preserve Trail at the Cerro Gordo trailhead.
Monte Sol
Monte Sol (in English, Sun Mountain) is a quick but satisfying day hike in the Santa Fe area that rewards hikers with great views of the city and beyond. This two-mile out and back hike is a steep climb without much shade, so be sure to bring sturdy shoes, plenty of water, and protection from the sun. The trail can be accessed at the main trailhead off of Old Santa Fe trail, but can also begin at a quieter, less well-marked trailhead behind the campus of St. John’s College.
River Trail
Looking for a casual stroll without leaving the city limits? The Santa Fe River Trail stretches for over ten miles, running parallel to Alameda Street from the east side through the heart of downtown and beyond. A rarity in Santa Fe, the burbling stream is a soothing accompaniment to the tree-lined path, with a wealth of wildflowers and green grass during the summer. The paved path is perfect for walking or jogging, and there are plenty of picnic benches along the path, making it the perfect place to enjoy a mellow afternoon with lunch and a book!
Offbeat Attractions
Aside from live music and outdoor adventures, the City Different has a wealth of other historic and artistic attractions, from innovative art installations to centuries-old ranches.
Meow Wolf
Founded in 2008 with help from Game of Thrones author and longtime Santa Fe resident George R.R. Martin, Meow Wolf began as an experimental art collective located in an up-and-coming area on the city’s south side. Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return is an immersive, interactive art experience, somewhere between an avant-garde art exhibit, a choose-your-own adventure novel, and a haunted house. Perfect for all ages, the installation draws thousands of people from all over the world each year. Meow Wolf also boasts a concert venue inside the House of Eternal Return, with a rotating selection of touring performers, and a bar open on concert evenings in the lobby.
Canyon Road
If you’re in the mood for hopping art galleries on a warm summer’s afternoon, look no further than Canyon Road. With over a hundred galleries, boutiques, and more, there’s a dazzling array of artwork to choose from, from sculpture to painting, traditional to abstract, and everything in between. Canyon Road itself is located on the east side of town, and runs from its intersection with Paseo de Peralta toward the foothills of the Sangre de Christo Mountains. After a day of browsing art, there are several great spots along Canyon Road to stop for a bite, including the Teahouse for Italian-inspired café fare, Milad Persian Bistro for Middle Eastern food with a twist, and Geronimo for a unique upscale dining experience.
El Rancho de Los Golondrinas
Whether you’re a history buff or just enjoy the picturesque, El Rancho de Los Golondrinas has a little something for everyone. The historic farm and ranch, used by Spanish settlers for hundreds of years, is now a living history museum, giving visitors a taste of what life was like on the Spanish frontier in New Mexico. El Rancho de Los Golondrinas features historic adobe buildings and residences, rolling fields, a still-operational mill, a schoolhouse, and more. The museum also holds a variety of yearly festivals throughout the summer and beyond, including the Herb and Lavender Festival, the Santa Fe Wine Festival, the Food and Beer Festival and more. Visit El Rancho de Los Golondrinas and be transported back in time!
Looking For More Santa Fe Activities? Join One Of Our Walking Food Tours!
If you’re visiting Santa Fe this summer, you have a wealth of activities to choose from, from challenging day hikes to laid back evenings on the plaza and everything in between. Come see what makes Santa Fe so special!
