November 2025 | Issue No. 66

november greetings!

a warm welcome to you, friend

Hello and welcome to my November newsletter, thanks for being here! With the holidays quickly approaching, many of us are preparing for the joyful chaos of visiting relatives, festive gatherings, and shifting routines. I thought it was a great time to share some fun ideas to entertain and connect. You know I love Albuquerque at the holidays, but also wanted to give credit to Santa Fe. If you are up for a little road trip to our neighboring city, Santa Fe brings its own magic to the season. A unique way to experience the holiday season is hopping on a Sky Railway train. I took one of their Sunset Serenade rides earlier this year during a visit from my sisters. What a fun way to spend an evening, relaxing and viewing our world from a fresh perspective. I'm planning on getting tickets for Pablo's Holiday Express or the New Years Train (or both?) to enjoy the magic of the holiday season on the railway. 

The day we boarded the Sunset Serenade train, the sky was moody and overcast, but the atmosphere only added to the charm. There is something refreshing about stepping onto a train and letting someone else carry you forward. No traffic, no errands, no rush. Just the desert passing by the window, live music flowing through the air, laughter and discussions, and that rare, wonderful feeling of time slowing down just enough to let us be present. It was relaxing, memorable, and unlike anything else I’ve done nearby.

With 16 unique adventures to chose from, there's sure to be one for everyone in your circle. The Sky Railway experience combines live entertainment from local talent with the escape of the train ride.  Plus they offer snacks and drink options-a few of the themed rides are even dedicated to adult beverages. Most trains leave from the Santa Fe Depot, except the seasonal favorite Pablo's Holiday Express, that departs from nearby Lamy Depot.

If you are seeking something festive to do with family and friends, the two adventures I mentioned earlier would be the ones to buy your tickets for soon.  Just in time to get in the holiday spirit, Pablo's Holiday Express is fun for everyone! Open to all ages, this joyful adventure departs from the Lamy Depot and is like stepping into a holiday card complete with live music, sing-a-longs and hot cocoa to warm you up and enhance the holiday cheer. This ride is an affordable option to experience the train and create lasting memories alongside the young, and young at heart. This is a limited run for the holiday season and is available on select dates: November 28-30, December 6, 7, 13, 14 and 18-24. With limited time slots comes limited availability, and tickets go fast.

 

Maybe you are already thinking ahead to ringing in the new year? The New Years Train could be a truly special way to spend the evening. This two hour,  21+ ride offers an elegant outing including champagne and celebration as the clock counts down to 2026. What a memorable way to arrive in the new year in style.

Perhaps you have a special occasion coming up to share with just the adults. A themed train ride could be a cool way to impress those who seek adventure. And you're in luck because Sky Railway has six rides to choose from to celebrate with the 21+ crowd, including the New Years Train. You can join a New Mexico Wine Train, New Mexico Ale Trail, Margarita Rail, Speakeasy Express, or the Burlesque Express.  All of these amazing adventures are 2+ hours with adult beverages and live entertainment. 

For those who love mysteries, legends, or a bit of drama, Sky Railway also offers storytelling-based rides like Lore of the Land, Outlaw Express, and Murder Mystery adventures. The Sunset Serenade and Jazz Under the Stars are magical options for those of us who love an evening adventure, or for the ultimate way to experience the night sky-The Stargazer is sure to be a ride you’ll never forget. This is an amazing way to view our dark New Mexico skies, and the train lets you get away from the city lights and really take in the magic of the stars and skies above. 

 

If you know someone-or maybe its you-who loves locomotives, you can even book a Sky Railway Cab Ride. Riders get a private tour and cab ride alongside the engineer. This is a special one-on-one experience-riders must be at least 18 years old. For more information about this incredible opportunity to ride the rails and get the inside scoop on how it all works, visit their site. 

If you want to continue your holiday exploration of Santa Fe beyond a ride on the train, there are plenty of other activities going on throughout November and December. One of my favorite Albuquerque annual traditions is attending the lighting of the tree and Holiday Stroll in Old Town on the first Friday in December. Santa Fe hosts their Holiday Lighting on the Plaza, held the day after Thanksgiving. With 30,000 lights adorning trees and buildings plus caroling, entertainment and holiday snacks…they even welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus via a vintage fire truck. Mark the date-Friday, November 28, festivities begin at 4:15pm and continue until 8pm. In addition to the colorful sparkling lights, traditional New Mexican farolitos will line walkways, creating a magical winter wonderland. If you want to arrive earlier in the day, there will be a Holiday Market from 1-6pm to get a jump start on your gift shopping with handcrafted gifts from some of the many talented local artisans. 

For those of you who are making your holiday gift lists, Santa Fe is home to an abundance of  artisans and creatives. Canyon Road is one of the favorite stops for galleries and shops, and Friday December 5th from 4pm to 6pm is the perfect time to plan a visit. Galleries will be open and hosting artists with the added festive cheer of farolitos, bonfires, music and drinks. Or stay in town for the weekend and visit the Winter Spanish Market at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7th. This juried event features 75 artists representing a variety of media, along with music, entertainment and food. Be sure to leave a few gifts for the Rail Yards Holiday Market back in Albuquerque, though. This year there will be TWO weekends-December 13-14 and December 20-21 featuring 300+ farm, food, and art vendors. Your friends and family are sure to love the handcrafted, local gifts you will be giving! This year it feels especially important to shop and support our local community.

If you are seeking a more traditional holiday activity to attend, the 49th Annual Las Posadas will be begin on the Santa Fe Plaza on December 7th at 5pm and make its way to the Palace of the Governors courtyard. Expect carols, refreshments, and a festive atmosphere during this longtime favorite community event. 

 

Perhaps a visit to a museum is more your speed? Mark Friday December 12th on your calendar for the New Mexico History Museum's Holidays at the Palace at the Palace of the Governors. The event is held from 5:30-7:30 and is free and open to the public. There will be decorations, farolitos, refreshments, live music and even a visit from Santa. They will be accepting donations of non-perishable food in the spirit of the holiday season and paying it forward to those in need in our community. The event has been a favorite Santa Fe holiday tradition since 1982 and is perfect for setting the tone for the holiday season, as well as enjoying time with fellow New Mexicans from around the state. 

If your favorite Albuquerque event to attend is the annual River of Lights at the ABQ BioPark, you will love La Luz de Las Noches at Santa Fe Botanical Garden. From December 18-31st, the Botanical Garden is transformed into a winter wonderland with festive lights, farolitos, live music and refreshments. 

Perhaps the most iconic and beloved annual holiday event in Santa Fe happens on Christmas Eve from 6pm to 9pm. The Canyon Road Farolito Walk is a nostalgic and magical experience that leaves a lasting imprint on the heart. Thousands venture out to experience this annual voyage on foot. Farolitos are a New Mexico tradition with their soft glow lining walkways, streets, buildings, often accompanied by luminaria to create a truly memorable scene that lingers long after the holiday season is over. Every New Mexican eagerly awaits this season and warmth it brings with it. 

It's time to buy! You'll find less buyer competition from mid November through January since most folks wait until Spring to purchase. Sellers may be more willing to negotiate and/or help with paying buyer's closing costs as listings take longer to sell during the Winter months. As the Albuquerque Market Update indicates, home prices continue to slowly climb, and traditionally we see the largest jump in prices in the Spring. Don't pay more in a few months-NOW is the time to get your deal. Let's talk!

Thanks for joining me again this month. I honestly can't believe it's almost time to welcome in a new year! What are your favorite holiday traditions, either in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or elsewhere in New Mexico? I'd love to hear about them. As always, if you have a special offer you'd like for me to share with your fellow readers, send me a message. I'd love to share your offering for the holidays to help increase your visibility and patronage. 

 

However you choose to celebrate this season, I hope you find moments filled with warmth, joy, and a renewed sense of wonder. And if you do find yourself aboard one of these holiday trains, I have a feeling you’ll already be planning your next adventure the moment you step off. Send me a message and tell me about it!

See you again next month!

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