LOS ALAMOS, NM—Located at an elevation above 7,300 feet, Los Alamos, New Mexico will be transformed into a winter wonderland during the town’s signature winter event, Winterfest, from Dec. 5–7.
The highlight of Winterfest – the lighting of the Christmas tree and holiday lights parade – begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday December 6th when downtown Los Alamos will be illuminated with the glow of thousands of lights decorating mobile floats around a “frozen” theme. The official tree lighting takes place at 7 p.m. at Ashley Pond.
Winterfest also features dozens of other holiday activities for the family including the North Pole Workshop and several new events this year including charity event, “Rock on Climbathon,” which was initiated by a local middle school student in the giving spirit of the holidays.
The 21st annual Crèche Show will get Winterfest off the ground on Friday, Dec. 5 as hundreds of nativity scenes from around the world will be displayed. There is no charge to enter the show, which will be held at the Los Alamos Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, located at 1967 18th St., from 1-7 p.m.
Dance Arts Los Alamos will perform “The Snow Queen” on Dec. 5, 6, and 7 – a classic fairy tale by Hans Christian Anderson which was used as the inspiration for Disney’s “Frozen.” Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 ages 4–17 and 60 years and older. Tickets can be purchased at CB Fox (1735 Central Ave) or at the door the night of the performance which will be held at Duane Smith Auditorium located at 1300 Diamond Drive. Visit danceartslosalamos.org for details.
On Saturday, Dec. 6, children and their parents can have a pancake breakfast with Santa sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos between 7 and 11 a.m., which will be held at the Betty Ehart Senior Center, located at 1101 Bathtub Row. There is no charge; however, please bring donated food items. RVSP’s not required. Visit losalamos.kiwanisone.org for details.
After breakfast, children (K-6) can shop while their parents enjoy holiday treats during the 10th Annual Children’s Bazaar at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church, located at 3900 Trinity Drive. Donated items available for purchase will include everything from jewelry, to books, to kitchen items and will range in price from 50 cents to $5. There is no entry fee. Call 505-662-5107 for more information or visit latoth.org.
Rockhounds will have a chance to purchase jewelry, gems, books and other items for themselves or loved ones at the Earth Treasure Show, sponsored by the Los Alamos Geological Society on both Dec. 6, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Dec. 7 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Kid’s activities, crafts, food court, silent auction, and earth science exhibits along with free mineral identification will be available. Located at the Masonic Temple, 15 Canyon Road.
Mesa Public Library (2400 Central Ave) will host an arts, crafts and stories event for all ages from 10 a.m.–noon on Dec. 6 followed by a book signing by local authors from noon–3 p.m.
Fuller Lodge (2132 Central Ave.) will open its doors for the Holiday Open House from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. on Dec. 6 with holiday activities, refreshments, and music ongoing throughout the day. New to Winterfest and also held at Fuller Lodge, the Science of the Season with Curious Chris will entertain children while investigating the “science” behind historical holiday carols such as “Jingle Bells,” and will take a fun look at how reindeer might really be able to fly. This event begins at 10:30 a.m.
Fuller Lodge Art Center will give visitors a chance to purchase handmade one of a kind gifts at the Affordable Arts Show, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Fuller Lodge Art Center is located at 2132 Central Avenue.
Kids can have a heart-to-heart with Santa and share their Christmas wish lists, courtesy of CB Fox who is hosting the holiday event, from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
At 5 p.m. as dusk falls, the lights on Los Alamos County’s holiday tree will provide a warm glow from the lobby of the Municipal Building, located at 1000 Central Avenue.
In the spirit of the giving season, a middle school student is doing her part to make the world a better place with a “Rock on Climbathon” event, in coordination with the Los Alamos YMCA. Half of all proceeds benefit the YMCA Scholarship Fund while the other half will go to Self Help, Inc – a non-profit organization which has provided consultation and advocacy, emergency financial assistance and seed money grants to residents of Los Alamos, northern Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Taos counties since 1969.
“Rock on Climbathon” will give adults and kids alike a chance to try indoor rock climbing, while enjoying music, pizza, popcorn, drinks, and a chance to win raffle items donated by local merchants. The first 50 people to enter the door get a t-shirt. Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at laymca.org. The event will be held from 7–10 p.m. at the YMCA, located at 1450 Iris St., and is an all ages event.
One of the brightest stars of Winterfest falls on the final day, Sunday, Dec. 7, when luminarias light the path to the North Pole Workshop at the Posse Lodge and Stables, located at 650 N Mesa Road.
The week before Winterfest, shoppers in downtown Los Alamos will benefit from Small Business Saturday on Saturday, Nov. 29 where many businesses will donate a portion of sales to local charities. Shoppers can pick up a shopping passport at any of 40 participating businesses where they can collect stamps and turn in passports by Dec. 7 for a chance to win a gift card basket from participating merchants.
For complete Winterfest information, check out losalamosmainstreet.com/events.