New grant elevates chile drop

Main Street Las Cruces, formerly the Downtown Las Cruces Partnership, is has been awarded a $10,000 Tourism Event Growth and Sustainability grant from the New Mexico Tourism Department to support and elevate the 12th Annual Las Cruces Chile Drop, one of the southwest’s most beloved signature celebrations.

The TEGS program is part of the state’s New Mexico True initiative, which promotes cultural tourism and adventures rooted in heritage. This alignment signals statewide confidence in the Chile Drop as an event that authentically reflects New Mexico’s spirit and puts Las Cruces in the spotlight for national and international audiences.

This year’s Chile Drop also welcomes an exciting new partnership. Nusenda Credit Union joins as the official presenting sponsor, helping to amplify the event’s reach and community impact.

Over the past several years, the Chile Drop has drawn more than 8,000 attendees annually, becoming a cherished community tradition and a major economic driver for downtown restaurants, vendors, hotels, and small businesses.

In 2023, the event captured national coverage on CNN and was named the No. 3 Best New Year’s Eve Celebration in the country by USA Today, putting Las Cruces on the map as a holiday destination.

Main Street Las Cruces has partnered with New Mexico State University’s Aggie Innovation Space, a cutting-edge engineering and fabrication program, to design and build a brand-new Chile Drop sculpture. With guidance from engineering professors, AIS students are creating a chile that is brighter, more durable, and more visually dynamic than ever before. This collaboration not only elevates the event but also provides innovative, real-world experience for NMSU students.

"Our Chile Drop has become one of the most special traditions in Las Cruces, growing bigger and better every year," said John Munoz, Chair and CEO of Main Street Las Cruces. "This year is especially significant: the State of New Mexico Tourism Department has officially recognized our event, a huge milestone for Las Cruces and all of southern New Mexico. As always, we’ll gather in our community’s living room, Main Street Las Cruces, to celebrate together, reflect on 2025, and share our hopes and goals for 2026. With expanded family-friendly activities and more ways for everyone to participate, this year’s celebration promises to be unforgettable, truly one for the books."

Chile Drop begins at 6 p.m. with amusements and food, with celebration and live music starting at 9 p.m.