Whether you’re trying to entertain guests or just feel like embracing the holiday spirit, a Christmas lights road trip is an experience that everyone can enjoy. To see the best Christmas lights in NM, take this route, which includes displays of farolitos/luminarias along with colored light displays. Each set of lights is so exquisite that you’ll remember their magic long after the holidays are over.

This drive-thru lights in NM adventure covers 191 miles and takes 4 hours and 16 minutes without stops. If you drive the route end to end, you’ll probably want to stop somewhere overnight because it would be challenging to view every display in the space of one evening. Check out the Christmas displays in NM map.

Google Maps
1. Taos Plaza
North Plaza, N Plaza, Taos, NM 87571, USA
Flickr/Matthew
New Mexico’s plazas are enchanting during the holidays when they’re illuminated with a combination of farolitos and white and colored Christmas lights. Stroll around Taos Plaza at your leisure, absorbing the sights and sounds of the season. No tickets or fees are required for this memorable Christmas display in NM.
2. Glow, Santa Fe Botanical Garden
Facebook/ Santa Fe Botanical Garden
See the sculptures at the botanical garden in a whole new light – literally. The plants and statues are thoughtfully illuminated to turn the garden into a fantastical wonderland. Glow starts in Mid-December. Read more about Glow at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden.
3. Santa Fe Plaza
63 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA
Flickr/Larry Lamsa
The lights go up on the Plaza just after Thanksgiving and remain in place throughout the holidays. This is another beautiful and free Christmas display in NM. Discover more about Santa Fe Plaza.

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4. Madrid
Madrid, NM 87010, USA
Flickr/Enrique A Sanabria
The town of Madrid knows how to put on a light show. When it was a company town, airlines rerouted flights during the holidays so passengers could admire Madrid’s epic light extravaganzas from above. Nowadays, the tradition of lighting up the town continues, admittedly on a less dramatic scale. Still, this small town is charming when lit up for the holidays and a must-see Christmas display in NM if you are in the area. Learn more about Madrid at Christmastime.
5. Old Town Plaza, Albuquerque
200 N Plaza St NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA
Flickr/Ken Lund
Christmas Eve is the best time to visit Old Town Plaza because that’s when it’s transformed by a huge luminaria display, some of the best Christmas lights in NM. However, the buildings are decorated for the season well before then, making an already picturesque place positively bewitching. Check out more information on this area and other plazas in New Mexico.
6. River of Lights, ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden
ABQ BioPark - Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104, USA
Flickr/John Fowler
Arguably, the best holiday light show in New Mexico is the River of Lights, a walk-through extravaganza that features more than 500 displays. This event is held at the ABQ Biopark in December. Learn more about the River of Lights.
7. Bugg Lights, Belen Harvey House
Bugg Lights Museum, 513 Becker Ave, Belen, NM 87002, USA
Facebook/Belen Harvey House Museum
Some of the best Christmas lights in NM, Bugg Lights takes place at the Harvey House in Belen. This gorgeous annual display includes 200,000 Christmas lights. Discover more about Bugg Lights.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and make some fantastic memories this holiday season at some of the best Christmas light drive-thru displays.

What do you think are the best Christmas lights in NM? Tell us in the comments!

Looking for more festive things to do? Check out this holiday market in Albuquerque.

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More to Explore

Things to Do and See in New Mexico

Rachel Raimondi | October 14, 2022

Where can I go skiing in New Mexico?

With an average snowfall ranging from three to over 100 inches per year depending on what part of the state you are in, there is plenty of skiing in New Mexico. Not to mention, opportunities for other recreation in the warmer months. In Taos County, you’ll find Taos Ski Valley. This is the biggest ski resort in New Mexico, and here, you’ll have 110 trails spread across 1,294 acres. You’ll also be able to snowshoe and snowmobile. Ski Apache is located in Alto. It is one of the southernmost ski resorts in America. Over its 750 acres, you find 55 trails to ski and snowboard on the slopes of the Sierra Blanca Mountains.

What are the best outdoor activities in New Mexico? 

While there is a great deal to do within its nearly 315,000 square miles, the best outdoor activities in New Mexico are to be had at one of the state’s two national parks. In Eddy County, you’ll find the 46,766-square-mile Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Within, you’ll find over 100 caves, including the Big Room, the largest single cave chamber on the continent. There is also plenty of exploration aboveground amongst hiking trails. White Sands National Park is in Otero County and Doña Ana Counties. The 145,762-acre park features (you guessed it!) miles upon miles of white sand dunes. You can take them in through five hiking trails or by bike, car, or horse. And although you won’t find any Christmas displays in NM here, you can actually sled on the dunes.

What are the most charming small towns in New Mexico?

There are several charming towns within New Mexico. Over in Guadalupe County, there is Santa Rosa. Located right off historic Route 66, here, you’ll find the Route 66 Auto Museum as well as Park Lake, where you can check out the Blue Hole diving spot, take a pedal boat out, swim, or even head to the seasonal water park. There is also plenty of unique shopping and dining here. Silver City is located in Grant County. Among this 10.14-square mile town, you’ll find such interesting spots like the Billy the Kid Homesite as well as the Silver City Museum. And on North Bullard Street, you can take in many shops and eateries.

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