

WinterFest Weekend in
Los Alamos, New Mexico
WinterFest Weekend is a family-oriented holiday event that celebrates winter in Los Alamos, New Mexico. A number of businesses and organizations host events including the North Pole Workshop and Breakfast with Santa!
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While WinterFest 2022 takes place Dec. 2-4, activities will be posted throughout the month of December - be sure to check out our "Other Activities & Ideas" section!
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This year's Holiday Lights Parade theme is "There's Gnome Place Like Home."
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Looking for a Gift? Support local businesses and take a look at our local gift guide for Los Alamos & White Rock, sponsored by Los Alamos MainStreet, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce and Del Norte Credit Union!
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Schedule of Events
Los Alamos WinterFest 2022 is Friday, Dec. 2 - Sunday, Dec. 4.
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Friday, Dec. 2, 2022
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1 - 7 p.m. Creche Show, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Come ring in the Christmas season by viewing beautiful nativity displays from around the world.
Nativities contributed from a wide array of local citizens of Los Alamos.
All are Welcome: Admission is free. Friday, Dec. 2, 1-7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
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5:30 p.m. The Gnome Family Paint Night, Los Alamos Co+op Market, 95 Entrada Dr.
Paint your very own gnome! $20 a seat (limited to 10 painters), with registration available in advance at LACanvasEvents.com.
Also offered Friday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. as well.
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7-8 p.m. Night Sky in December, Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium
Join Steve Becker for this planetarium talk to learn what you can see in the night sky during the month of December, including constellations, planets, and more. This talk is perfect for beginning stargazers who want to learn more. This event will take place in person at the Los Alamos Nature Center's planetarium. Because seating is limited in the planetarium, advance registration is encouraged! Sign up now to reserve your seats. If space is still available, we will admit walk-up attendees at the nature center at the time of the presentation.
Planetarium events are not recommended for kids under age 4.
Admission: $6/adult, $4/child.
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7 p.m. Sugar Plum on "The Hill", Duane Smith Auditorium
Sugar Plum on "The Hill", is an original ballet presented by Dance Arts Los Alamos with performances Friday, December 2nd at 7 pm, Saturday, December 3rd at 2 pm, and Sunday, December 4th at 2 pm at the Duane Smith Auditorium.
Ticket prices are $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors, and $10 for students ages 4-18. Children 3 and under are free.
Tickets are available at Little Studio on the Mesa in White Rock, at Village Arts, or online.
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Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022
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8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Breakfast with Santa, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Hall
Join Los Alamos Kiwanis Club to have breakfast with Santa! Registration required. Go here for more information.
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9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Winter Arts & Crafts Fair, Los Alamos Middle School Gym
Join artists, food vendors, musicians, face painters, and entertainment! To volunteer, email events@laac-flac.org.
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9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Everything Christmas Sale, The United Church of Los Alamos
Gently used Jewelry, Christmas Lights, Trees, Ornaments, and more!
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9 a.m. - 3 p.m. PJs and Movies, SALA Event Center
Get comfy at SALA! Dress in your PJs and enjoy a classic Christmas movie with breakfast. Plus ornament making with Little Studio on the Mesa.
For more information go here.
Sala Event Center is hosting many events in December, to learn more go here.
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9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Creche Show, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Come ring in the Christmas season by viewing beautiful nativity displays from around the world.
Nativities contributed from a wide array of local citizens of Los Alamos.
All are Welcome: Admission is free. Friday, Dec. 2, 1-7 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
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9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Earth Treasure Show, Masonic Temple, Canyon Road and 15th Street (Los Alamos)
Los Alamos Geological Society presents the 53rd Annual Earth Treasure Show. Gems, minerals, fossils, geodes, kids activities and crafts, door prizes, and food! The theme for 2022 is "NM, Land of Beautiful Rocks & Minerals." Proceeds benefit the LAGS Scholarship Fund. Free admission. The show also runs Sunday, Dec. 4 from 10am - 4 pm.
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11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tabletop Game Day, Mesa Public Library
The library welcomes all ages to play board games, drink hot chocolate, and eat cookies. On the lower level in The Zone and other areas, library staff and volunteers are ready to teach friends and families a new game or share an old favorite. A fun floor play area for the youngest players is also provided. Free. Go here for more information.
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2 p.m. Sugar Plum on "The Hill", Duane Smith Auditorium
Sugar Plum on "The Hill", is an original ballet presented by Dance Arts Los Alamos with performances Friday, December 2nd at 7 pm, Saturday, December 3rd at 2 pm, and Sunday, December 4th at 2 pm at the Duane Smith Auditorium. Ticket prices are $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors, and $10 for students ages 4-18. Children 3 and under are free. Tickets are available at Little Studio on the Mesa in White Rock, at Village Arts, or online.
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3:30-5:30 p.m. Santa's Workshop, Fuller Lodge
Join Los Alamos County Recreation Staff to decorate a cookie, make crafts, write a letter to Santa, cuddle with a 5-ft bear, and take a photo with Santa!
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6 p.m. Holiday Lights Parade, Central Avenue
This year's theme is "There's Gnome Place Like Home." Beginning around 4 p.m., Central Ave. will be closed from the roundabout to Oppenheimer.
Public parking is available downtown in the Municipal, Judicial, Ashley Pond Park, library lots, and others. Join us for this festive annual tradition!
Interested in entering the parade? Visit the Holiday Lights Parade Registration. The deadline for registration is November 28.
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7:30 p.m. Christmas PRISM Concert, Crossroads Bible Church
Join Los Alamos Community Winds for this annual event, plus multiple small group performances including solos, vocals, clarinets, SaxAtomix, Brass groups, and more.
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Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022
10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Earth Treasure Show, Masonic Temple, Canyon Road and 15th Street (Los Alamos)
Los Alamos Geological Society presents the 53rd Annual Earth Treasure Show. Gems, minerals, fossils, geodes, kids activities and crafts, door prizes, and food! The theme for 2022 is "NM, Land of Beautiful Rocks & Minerals." Proceeds benefit the LAGS Scholarship Fund. Free admission.
11 a.m. -2 p.m. Fuller Lodge Gallery Shop Open House, Fuller Lodge
Music, treats, special prizes, artist talks, and more! Inside the gallery shop at Fuller Lodge Art Center.
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2 p.m. Sugar Plum on "The Hill", Duane Smith Auditorium
Sugar Plum on "The Hill", is an original ballet presented by Dance Arts Los Alamos with performances Friday, December 2nd at 7 pm, Saturday, December 3rd at 2 pm, and Sunday, December 4th at 2 pm at the Duane Smith Auditorium. Ticket prices are $20 for general admission, $15 for seniors, and $10 for students ages 4-18. Children 3 and under are free. Tickets are available at Little Studio on the Mesa in White Rock, at Village Arts, or online.
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Other Holiday & Winter Activities
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Nov. 25-Jan. 5 Affordable Arts Show, Fuller Lodge Art Center
Affordable Arts is the biggest gallery takeover show of the year! Fuller Lodge Art Center has new and returning artists, prizes, Blue Bucks promotion, and more all throughout the event. Contact gallery@laac-flac.org for more information.
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Dec. 7, 10-11:30 a.m. Gingerbread House Building for TODDLERS, Family Strengths Network
Come build gingerbread houses with Family Strengths Network! Toddlers are supplied with graham crackers and decorating materials.
Participants school-aged and older use a house-building kit and extra decorating materials. Register in advance online.
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Toddlers-Dec. 7 from 10 to 11:30, $10
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Elementary-Dec. 7 from 1:30 to 3:30, $30
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Teens & Adults-Dec. 9 from 4:00 to 6:00, $30
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Family-Dec. 10 from 10:00 to noon, $30
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Dec. 7, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Gingerbread House Building for ELEMENTARY STUDENTS, Family Strengths Network
Come build gingerbread houses with Family Strengths Network! Toddlers are supplied with graham crackers and decorating materials.
Participants school-aged and older use a house-building kit and extra decorating materials. Register in advance online.
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Elementary-Dec. 7 from 1:30 to 3:30, $30
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Teens & Adults-Dec. 9 from 4:00 to 6:00, $30
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Family-Dec. 10 from 10:00 to noon, $30
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Dec. 8, 6-7 p.m. Snow Telemetry Networks & Forecasting Snow Pack, Los Alamos Nature Center
Learn about monitoring snow and other climatic conditions with Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) Networks from Jaz Ammon. What is measured? How is it measured? Where do these measurements take place? How is the data collected throughout this network used?
Admission: Free (please select an in-person or virtual ticket). Register Here.
About the speakers:
As a Hydrologic Technician, Jaz Ammon works with montane climate and weather monitoring for the purpose of water supply forecasting. She will discuss how measurements of the mountain snowpack translate into data that guides decision-making for water users throughout New Mexico. Demonstrations of the online user interface and some of the data products produced by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Snow Survey Program will be included.
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Dec. 9, 4-6 p.m. Gingerbread House Building for TEENS & ADULTS, Family Strengths Network
Come build gingerbread houses with Family Strengths Network! Toddlers are supplied with graham crackers and decorating materials.
Participants school-aged and older use a house-building kit and extra decorating materials. Register in advance online. ​
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Teens & Adults-Dec. 9 from 4:00 to 6:00, $30
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Family-Dec. 10 from 10:00 to noon, $30
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Dec. 9, 7-10 p.m. EXIT Realty Advantage Annual Toy Drive, Bathtub Row Brewery Co-op
EXIT Realty Advantage NM is hosting an ugly Christmas sweater party at Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op. The entry fee is a new, unwrapped toy.
For the third year, the real estate company is presenting the Northern New Mexico Toy Drive. The toy drive started Nov. 9 with a total of 34 drop off locations for new, unwrapped toys. These locations are in Los Alamos, Espanola and Santa Fe. Locally, the drop off sites include EXIT Realty Advantage NM, 1615 Central, Los Alamos Fire Station 4, which is across from the Los Alamos County Golf Course, Fire Station 6, which across from East Gate Park, Fire Station 3 in White Rock, Zia Credit Union, New Mexico Bank and Trust, Century Bank and Merrick. Los Alamos National Laboratory also is partnering with EXIT Realty Advantage NM and is offering drop off sites throughout its campus.
To participate, go to https://exittoydrive.com/ and select items for purchase. Drop off gifts at any of the designated sites by Dec. 9. However, donations will be accepted up till Dec. 23. The toys will be delivered to counties across New Mexico: Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Taos, Mora, San Miguel, Santa Fe as well as Santa Domingo and Jemez Pueblos.
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Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Gingerbread House Building for FAMILIES, Family Strengths Network
Come build gingerbread houses with Family Strengths Network!
Participants school-aged and older use a house-building kit and extra decorating materials. Register in advance online. ​
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Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mulled Wine Event, Sirphey at Bandelier
Showcasing the diverse fruit wines of New Mexico alongside holiday flavors from India and Japan. Also happening on Sunday, Dec. 11.​
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Dec. 10, 4-6:30 p.m. "Home Alone 2," Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium
Join us for a cozy night featuring a hot chocolate bar and a screening of the beloved holiday movie, Home Alone 2. The hot chocolate bar will open at 4 pm and the movie will start at 4:30 pm. Wear your "ugly" holiday sweaters, or pajamas and slippers to get into the holiday spirit!
Run time: 2 hours
Admission: $7.
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Dec. 10, 7 p.m. Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert, Crossroads Bible Church
Join the Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra for their first holiday concert since COVID. Come listen to your favorite holiday classics and enter the drawing to conduct the Symphony during Jingle Bells. Sing along with your favorite songs and listen for the horse during Sleigh Ride.
Admission is free.
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Dec. 10, 7 p.m. Holiday Pop Culture Quiz, Boese Brothers Brewpub
First question! Did you know you can actually order delicious artisan crafted cocktails at The Long Pour and bring them back over to Boese? Grab a delicious cocktail and geek out with Boese Brothers!
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Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mulled Wine Event, Sirphey at Bandelier
Showcasing the diverse fruit wines of New Mexico alongside holiday flavors from India and Japan. Also happening on Sunday, Dec. 11.​
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Dec. 11, 2 p.m. Los Alamos Winter Classic: NM Ice Wolves vs El Paso Rhinos Hockey Game, Los Alamos Ice Rink
As part of the Los Alamos Winter Classic, December 9 -11, 2022 - Enjoy an NAHL Hockey game featuring the NM Ice Wolves vs the El Paso Rhinos!
Tickets go on sale on Oct. 12, 2022. The New Mexico Ice Wolves take on the El Paso Rhinos on December 11th at 2 pm at the Los Alamos County Ice Rink.
This event is part of the Los Alamos Winter Classic, which is 3 days of hockey games, ranging from Pee-wee to High School. Please note that the Winter Classic is a free event. This event - Ice Wolves vs Rhinos game hosted on Dec. 11th is $15 per person. Tickets are limited. Tickets HERE.
Food and beverages will be available at the rink. Doors open at 1 p.m.
Dec 11, 2 - 3 p.m. Los Alamos Choral Society "Holiday Songs of the Season" Concert, United Church of Los Alamos
Join the Los Alamos Choral Society for a joyful concert full of holiday favorites, both old and new. Sing-along carols and a reception of holiday treats will round out the program. All ages are welcome! Admission is free.
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Dec. 11, 4-7 p.m. North Mesa Stables Luminaria Walk, Los Alamos Stables (North Mesa)
Get in the holiday spirit by walking among the decorated North Mesa Stables. This is a perfect family activity to bundle up, enjoy the lights, luminarias, animals, and holiday treats! One day only, Sunday, Dec. 11 from 4-7 p.m.!
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Dec. 13, 5-7 p.m. Sensory Friendly Holiday Celebration, Family Strengths Network
Join FSN for a Sensory Friendly Holiday Celebration featuring holiday crafts, activities, and a chance to meet Santa in a sensory-friendly environment.
*** Must register to attend. More Information.
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Dec. 15, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Holiday Farmers Market, Fuller Lodge
Join at Fuller Lodge for live music and holiday produce, baked goods and gifts! Another holiday market will also take place on Dec. 22.
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Dec. 16, 6-8 p.m. Farolitos Walk, Los Alamos Historic District​
Make an ornament at the Historical Society's Bethe House, stop by Wolf & Mermaid for some coffee and sweet treats, Check out Los Alamos Golf and Game's arcade, warm up at Samizdat with hot chocolate, tea and biscochitos, visit STEAM Lab to make your own gnome hat, hit up Bathtub Row Brewing Co-op to fuel the rest of your stroll! ​
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Dec. 16, 6 p.m. The Gnome Family Paint Night, Los Alamos Co+op Market, 95 Entrada Dr.
Paint your very own gnome! $20 a seat (limited to 10 painters), with registration available in advance at LACanvasEvents.com.
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Dec. 17, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Christmas Movie Night, SALA Event Center
Support LAHS Band, Orchestra and Dance, with a screening of "A Christmas Story" followed by "White Christmas." Live music and Santa Clause, cookies and hot cocoa for sale. Tickets can be purchased in advance $15 for adults, $10 kids under 18. sala.losalamos.com.​
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Dec. 22, 9a.m.-1p.m. Holiday Farmers Market, Fuller Lodge
Join at Fuller Lodge for live music and holiday produce, baked goods and gifts!
Dec. 23, 3:30-5 p.m. Skate with Santa, Los Alamos County Ice Rink
The County Community Services Department is hosting Santa and his Elves at the Ice Rink. Come skate, take photos and enjoy candy canes!
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Dec. 24, 5-7 p.m. Luminaria Skate, Los Alamos County Ice Rink
Spend Christmas Eve at the Ice Rink! Quiet holiday music, luminaries, and holiday lights will transform the rink. Admission includes skate rental, coffee and cocoa. $6.50 for ages 6+ and $2.50 for ages 5 and under.
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Listing of local churches and places of worship, many of which are holding special events during the holiday season.

WinterFest Sponsors
Interested in being a sponsor? Contact Jacquelyn Connolly at 505-661-4844 or jacquelyn@losalamos.org.