Unique things that New Mexicans do to celebrate the season

I’ve had to explain it countless times – “Wait, Mexico!?” when I tell people where I live. And I have to explain that no, NEW Mexico. It’s the state in the Southwest? Colorado to the North? Mexico and Texas to the south? And then they nod somewhat knowingly.

I’ve heard it described as a small, South American country situated within the American Southwest, and I find that fairly accurate. Having lived in 5 US states long-term, two others briefly, and after visiting about 20 others, New Mexico has felt the most autonomous so far (with perhaps the exception of Alaska, a place which is never not on my mind).

I love many things about New Mexico – the art, the alien lore, the cultural melting pot, spa culture, and sweeping mountain landscapes (more on that in later blogs). But it’s during the holiday season that this state really shines.

Why New Mexican Culture Stands Apart

New Mexico’s distinctive culture comes from its layered history – first as home to ancient Native American peoples like the Pueblo and Navajo, then as part of Spain’s colonial empire, and later as Mexican territory until it joined the United States after the Mexican-American War. New Mexico is the 47th state in the United States, not admitted to the Union until January of 1912.

Unlike other former Mexican territories, New Mexico has maintained strong Hispanic and Native American cultural influences due to its geographic isolation and the determination of its people to preserve their heritage. This created a unique tri-cultural blend that sets New Mexico apart from both Mexico and the rest of the United States.

What Makes New Mexico Unique

Food Culture

New Mexican cuisine is notably different from both Mexican and Tex-Mex food. The state’s signature red and green chile peppers (grown in Hatch Valley) are central to the cuisine. The question “Red or green?” is so important it’s officially the state question.

Red chile is typically made from ripened, dried chile peppers, and you’ll find it served as a smooth, velvety sauce for enchiladas or burritos, while green chile uses fresh, unripe peppers, usually roasted, with a spicier taste. Green chile is chunkier, more like a salsa.

The first food item I ordered in New Mexico was a breakfast burrito at a tiny breakfast spot in Jemez Springs, and they asked me, “Red, green, or Christmas style?” I had no idea how to respond to that at the time, but after trying both I’m confidently team green now.

Christmas style refers to both red and green, Christmas colors. And Christmas is a great time to get some Christmas style tamales!

Language

New Mexico Spanish is a unique dialect that preserves many archaic Spanish words from colonial times.

Architecture

The traditional adobe building style, using sun-dried clay bricks, creates the distinctive red-brown buildings with rounded edges that characterize New Mexican architecture. This style, which blends Spanish colonial and Pueblo influences, is still actively preserved.

Holiday Traditions That Make New Mexico Special

Luminarias/Farolitos

One of New Mexico’s most iconic Christmas traditions involves placing small paper bags filled with sand and a votive candle (called luminarias in the central/southern part of the state and farolitos in northern NM) along sidewalks, driveways, and rooflines of the gorgeous adobes.

The city of Albuquerque hosts a famous annual luminaria tour, where thousands of these lights create a magical atmosphere in the Old Town district.

New Mexican Christmas Foods

• Tamales are essential to any New Mexican Christmas celebration, often made as a family activity
• Biscochitos, the official state cookie, are anise-flavored shortbread cookies dusted with cinnamon sugar, (which I discovered are especially delicious paired with a cup of piñon coffee, another New Mexico favorite, which is made with roasted coffee beans blended with the subtle, nutty flavor of piñon nuts.
• Posole, a hearty hominy stew, is traditionally served on Christmas Eve
• Red and green chile (served “Christmas style” – see above) features prominently in holiday meals

Las Posadas

This nine-day celebration reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging. In New Mexican communities, especially in historic areas like Santa Fe’s Plaza, people process through streets carrying candles and singing traditional songs in Spanish, with different homes hosting each night.

Native American Celebrations

Many of New Mexico’s pueblos hold special dances during the Christmas season. The Turtle Dance at Taos Pueblo on December 26th is particularly well-known, as are the deer dances performed at various pueblos.

Plan a winter trip to New Mexico

From the warm glow of luminarias lighting snow-dusted adobe rooftops to the fragrant aroma biscochitos fresh from the oven, the season here is full of sensory delights.

Visiting New Mexico in winter isn’t just a trip – it’s an immersion into a rich tapestry of history, community, and festive spirit, and I highly recommend you add it to a list of must-go holiday destinations.

Until next we travel,

<3 Skye