Festival season in Las Cruces

Spring is the official start of the festival season in Las Cruces. The winter blues have been pushed away by our vibrant sunshine and warm climate, and everyone is ready to get outside!

The Las Cruces International Film Festival is the largest student-run film fest of its kind, welcoming thousands of attendees every year. Festivities start on March 6 with the official poster signing party at the NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Musuem.

Asiah Thomas-Mandleman, a local artist and musician, designed this year’s event poster and the original work of art will be auctioned at the party. The main festival runs April 8-12, primarily at the Allen Theatres on Telshor Drive, and will be featuring actors Michael Rooker, Steve Zahn, Bruce Davidson, Kimberly Beck and screenwriter Shane Black. https://lascrucesfilmfest.com/

The next big event of the season is the 4th Annual ¡mira! Las Cruces Fest held in the downtown Las Cruces Plaza on Friday, April 24-25. Developed to ask everyone to “Look” at Las Cruces and discover its unique experience and authentic culture, this family-friendly free event highlights our regions art, heritage, music, cuisine, outdoor recreation and more.

This year is country music themed and the headliner features country music artist Annie Bosko. The event has been expanded this year to add a Friday night concert and more luche libre matches on Saturday plus much more. https://www.visitlascruces.com/events/annual-events-festivals/mira-las-cruces/

If a special event or festival is not in the plans, there is still plenty to see and do. Spaceport America tours run every week. Built as the first purpose-built commercial purpose spaceport, it gives you the opportunity to see behind the scenes areas and learn more about space tourism and industries. Transportation is included and the tour starts at the Visit Las Cruces visitor center.  https://shop.spaceportamerica.com/products/tour

Mesilla Valley Wine & Brew Tours run throughout the weekend and during the week with a private reservation. The tour showcases wineries in the southern NM region, including a couple across the border into Texas. If wine isn’t your thing, ask about the brews available at the various locations.  https://mvwineandbrewtours.com/

A must see in Mesilla is the recently opened Taylor-Mesilla Historic Site. Located in the Plaza de Mesilla, the tour takes you back in history to when the Taylor family moved into the home over 50 years ago, as well as the many residents before. An extensive collection of folk art is shared throughout the site. https://nmhistoricsites.org/taylor-mesilla

Whether you are a resident or a visitor and have transportation needs, check out the new EV carsharing program in Las Cruces. For as little as $5 an hour or $50 per day, plus tax, you can rent an electronic vehicle.

You do need to plan a couple days in advance for application approval, but if you are 21 and have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record, chances are you will be good to go. The vehicles are in the parking lot across from the Las Cruces Visitors Center on Main Street. For more information contact City of Las Cruces Sustainability at 575-541-2177 or sustainability@lascruces.gov.

Located at the gateway to downtown is the Las Cruces Visitor Center. Open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the center is home to hundreds of brochures, guides and other information with things to do, experience and discover in Las Cruces, southern New Mexico and the entire state. Stop by any time or go to visitlascruces.com for more information.  

Visit Las Cruces is the official destination marketing organization for Las Cruces, promoting the region as a must-visit travel destination. Through strategic marketing and partnerships, we drive visitation that strengthens local businesses, supports jobs and grows the economy through tourism.