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!

Schedule of Events:

December 6, 2024

12:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Annual 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.   All are welcome.  Admission is free. (The public is invited to display their nativities - deliver and set up 12/6 from 9:30-11:30 am. Pick up your nativity 12/7 from 4-5 pm)

1:00 pm: Winter Wonderland Printmaking Workshop, Los Alamos Nature Center

Using a variety of natural materials such as leaves, twigs, and other seasonal elements, participants will learn how to create unique prints on cards-perfect for sending out thoughtful holiday greetings! Admission: $40/member, $45/non-member. Go here for more info.

12:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Annual 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.   All are welcome.  Admission is free. (The public is invited to display their nativities - deliver and set up 12/6 from 9:30-11:30 am. Pick up your nativity 12/7 from 4-5 pm.)

6:00 pm - 11:00 pm: Northern New Mexico Toy Drive, Ugly Sweater Party, Fuller Lodge

Join us for the best party of the year! This year Katy P and The Business will be helping us rock our ugly sweaters, and raise money for the Northern NM Toy Drive! Advance tickets are $25. A new, unwrapped toy brought to the event is also appreciated!
Wear your ugliest sweater and raise money for the Northern NM Toy Drive. We also have great prizes for best ugly sweater, raffles. and a silent auction!  Go here for more info.

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm: RATcracker on "the Hill": Part 2, The Search for Gwen Groves, Duane Smith Auditorium

Join us for Dance Arts Los Alamos' twist on the traditional Nutcracker Ballet where characters from the Manhattan Project dance their way through time and magical lands. The Rat Queen has taken over the Land of Sweets, and the heroes must find the magical Nutcracker doll to rescue the Spy and Gwen Groves before it is too late!

Tickets available online and at the door. For more information please visit www.danceartslosalamos.org.

7:00 pm: December Night Sky, Los Alamos Nature Center Planetarium

Take an interactive tour of the current night sky and learn about which planets, constellations, star clusters, and more are visible. Also, see what to look forward to in the sky throughout the winter months.  Events in the planetarium are not recommended for children under age 4.  Admission: $8/adult, $6/child. Go here for more info.

December 7, 2024

8:00 am - 11:00 am: Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos Presents: Breakfast with Santa, Betty Ehart Senior Center

Kick off a jolly holiday season with a hot breakfast and photo opportunity with Santa Claus! No cost to attend, but we will be collecting non-perishable food for LA Cares, and financial donations to the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos projects with Northern NM foster children.  Families, please reserve a timeslot!

9:00 am - 2:00 pm Children's Christmas Bazaar, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church, 3900 Trinity Drive

The annual TOTH Children's Christmas Bazaar is a unique thrift store experience designed for kids in kindergarten through 6th grade. Here, children can select surprise Christmas gifts for loved ones from a curated collection of gently used items. Gift wrapping is included, ensuring a seamless and festive shopping experience for both children and parents. More information is available on the Facebook event page.

9:00 am - 5:00 pm: 55th Annual Earth Treasure Show at Pajarito Masonic Lodge

55th Annual Earth Treasure Show hosted by the Los Alamos Geological Society. Admission and parking are free. Many dealers will sell minerals, fossils, jewelry, and much more. There will be a children's craft table and the Wheel of Fortune for kids to try their luck. We will have silent auctions sponsored by the club. There will be cases of mineral specimens from around the world displayed.

?10:00 am - 3:00 pm YMCA Winter Vendor Market

Shop from a variety of different small business owners. Handmade crafts and products are available. Contact the YMCA at 505.662.3100 for more information.

1:00 pm - 4:30 pm: Cozy Family Crafternoons@ the Library, Mesa Public Library and White Rock Library

On WinterFest weekend, cozy on up to the library and find one of our crafts to make.  The library will provide materials for crafts and you are always welcome to bring your own–knitting, writing holiday cards, anything portable!  There will be hot drinks, cookies, and a crackling (on-screen) fire. Go here for more info.

2:00 pm: Fractals!  At Los Alamos Nature Center

Celebrate WinterFest with a viewing of the full dome movie Fantastic Fractals!  Fantastic Fractals is the spectacular, award-winning planetarium show that takes viewers on a tour of the fractals in nature and zooms through infinitely complex mathematical fractals. Featuring original music, the show is both educational and highly entertaining. Events in the planetarium are not recommended for children under age 4. Admission: $8/adult, $6/child Go here for more info.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm RATcracker on "the Hill": Part 2, The Search for Gwen Groves, Duane Smith Auditorium

Join us for Dance Arts Los Alamos' twist on the traditional Nutcracker Ballet where characters from the Manhattan Project dance their way through time and magical lands. The Rat Queen has taken over the Land of Sweets, and the heroes must find the magical Nutcracker doll to rescue the Spy and Gwen Groves before it is too late!

Tickets available online and at the door. For more information please visit www.danceartslosalamos.org.

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm: Santa's Workshop at Fuller Lodge

Get ready for a jolly good time with Los Alamos County Recreation Staff! Bring the whole family to Fuller Lodge for some festive fun: Decorate cookies, make holiday crafts, write a letter to Santa, snuggle a 5-ft bear, take a photo with Santa. Admission is FREE!

6:00 pm: Holiday Lights Parade

Come downtown to watch floats glide down Central Ave., followed by the annual tree lighting at Ashley Pond Park. Interested in registering a float? You can do so here. Registration closes Nov. 26. This year's theme is "Winter Brilliance."

7:00 pm: Holiday Pops Concert at Crossroads Church

Join us for the Holiday Pops Concert, where the spirit of the season comes alive with festive music! Enjoy beloved selections from The Nutcracker, performed by talented DALA soloist dancers. Sing along to some of your favorite carols, and don't miss the drawing for a chance to conduct the orchestra. After the concert, enjoy cookies and treats. It's a perfect way to celebrate the holidays!

December 8, 2024

10:00 am - 4:00 pm 55th Annual Earth Treasure Show at Pajarito Masonic Lodge

55th Annual Earth Treasure Show hosted by the Los Alamos Geological Society. Admission and parking are free. Many dealers will sell minerals, fossils, jewelry, and much more. There will be a children's craft table and the Wheel of Fortune for kids to try their luck. We will have silent auctions sponsored by the club. There will be cases of mineral specimens from around the world displayed.

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: RATcracker on "the Hill": Part 2, The Search for Gwen Groves, Duane Smith Auditorium

Join us for Dance Arts Los Alamos' twist on the traditional Nutcracker Ballet where characters from the Manhattan Project dance their way through time and magical lands. The Rat Queen has taken over the Land of Sweets, and the heroes must find the magical Nutcracker doll to rescue the Spy and Gwen Groves before it is too late!

Tickets available online and at the door. For more information please visit www.danceartslosalamos.org.

Date: December 6 - 8, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Los Alamos, NM

Click here for more information