A hundred years on the Plaza
Welcome back to The Santa Fe Weekender — five handpicked things worth your weekend, no scrolling required. This week the whole city points at the Plaza, and for good reason.
The main thing
Traditional Spanish Market — its 100th year. Saturday and Sunday, 8 to 5, the Plaza fills with more than 160 artists showing Spanish Colonial work: carved santos, painted retablos, tinwork, embroidery, straw appliqué. It’s free, it’s a century old this year, and it’s the longest-running market of its kind in the country. Come early, when the light is soft and the makers have time to talk.
Don’t miss the Sunday morning Mass and procession — 9 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica, followed by a walk to the Plaza and a blessing of the artists. It’s a quiet, moving hour, and a hundred years in the making.
Eat
Plaza Café Downtown — right on the Plaza, so you can slide into a booth, cool off, and be back among the artists in minutes. A local fixture for a reason.
The Shed — a block off the Plaza and worth the half-block detour for the red chile people travel for. Go early to beat the market crowds.
Do
Contemporary Hispanic Market, right alongside. A hundred more artists working in a modern vein share the weekend and the neighborhood — an easy, rewarding wander from the traditional booths.
Summer Scene on the Plaza. After a full day in the sun, the free evening music and movies are the ideal soft landing. Blanket, stars, done.
See
The Desert Chorale’s closing weekend. The summer choir sings its final concerts through July 30 in the Cathedral Basilica and Loretto Chapel — voices in candlelight, one of the season’s most beautiful hours. A fitting end to a big weekend.
Also on
Beat the Plaza crowds early Saturday at the Railyard Farmers Market, then walk over as the market opens. And if you’re new in town: this weekend is Santa Fe at its most itself — go see why.
That’s the weekend. If a friend would love it, forward it their way — they can subscribe at thesantafeweekender.com.
See you next Friday, The Santa Fe Weekender
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