Las Cruces Events 2026
DANCING WITH LIFE; MEXICAN MASKS
Las Cruces Museum of Art
July 17 - October 17, 2026
Dancing with Life: Mexican Masks invites audiences to explore the rich festival culture of Mexico through historic and contemporary masks from the collection of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. The exhibition centers the work of the mask makers and dancers themselves through written and recorded interviews, including bilingual Spanish and English texts. This approach invites visitors to appreciate danzas as expressions of contemporary living culture, in which symbols and scripts from pop culture and religious narratives coalesce into explorations of spiritual matters, political issues, and community life.
Across Mexico, mask making is a vibrant and playful art form deeply rooted in community celebrations of religious holidays. Worn by dancers in lively performances known as danzas, these masks portray devils and holy men, animals and mythical creatures, celebrities and politicians, and recognizable figures from everyday life. Danzas are performed to tell both old and new stories, and the dancers wear masks made by artists to share and give life to these stories.
From fearsome, elaborately painted diablos to the gentle faces of kindly elders, the masks celebrate the artistry and creativity of the mask makers and their communities, which are enlivened by the sights and sounds of danzas and fiestas. With humor, whimsy, and subversion, mask makers respond to the social, spiritual, and political circumstances of everyday life through this engaging art form. Symbols and scripts drawn from religious narratives, folklore, politics, and popular culture intertwine to explore, dramatize, and express ideas in both humorous and meaningful ways.
Moonlight: Adult Night at the Museums
Annual Liquor Tasting Event
Las Cruces Museum of Art
Fruday, September 18, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
This Moonlight is different from what is typically done at the museum - it will be smaller, but still mighty, as it’s only at the Branigan Cultural Center and in the Museum Courtyard this time around. Moonlight will be offering an alcohol tasting program presented by Dry Point Distillers! While Moonlight is completely free to enter for anyone with a 21+ Government Issued ID, there will be an optional $15 ticketed liquor tasting through the purchase of a ticket from the Foundation for Las Cruces Museums.
Tickets for this tasting may be pre-purchased starting in mid-July from the Foundation’s website, as well as the night of the Moonlight program at the Branigan Cultural Center until 8pm. The tasting will take place at the Branigan Cultural Center from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
ART ON THE RANGE; A Western Art Show and Auction
New Mexico Farm and Ranch Museum
4100 Dripping Springs Road
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Benefitting the Friends of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum, Art on the Range is a premier fundraising event celebrating the spirit of the American West in Las Cruces. Featuring a juried Western art show, live plein air painting, and an authentic chuckwagon dinner. All sales help to support the Friends' mission of enhancing and preserving the Museum for future generations.
Fall 2026 New Mexico Watercolor Society Juried Exhibition
The Hood Gallery
206 Harrelson Street, Las Cruces
Friday, November 6, 2026 - Sunday, November 29, 2026
The New Mexico Watercolor Society honors and celebrates the medium of watercolor through the support of highest aesthetic standards, education of the public, promotion of community engagement, and the facilitation of member development. The NMWS was founded in 1969 and has over 300 members statewide. The Southern chapter was founded in 2001, serving Southern counties of New Mexico and the El Paso area.
Starting on Friday, November 6 at 5:00 pm, there will be an exhibition of art by New Mexico Watercolor Society members. Though the show is in Las Cruces, there will be a representation of artists from throughout the state. The selected pieces will include a wide range of subject matter including landscapes, florals, and representations of New Mexico. Visitors to the exhibit will recognize works by local artists and new favorites.
This exhibit is open only on weekends, and the Gallery will be closed on Saturday, November 21.
Details: nmwatercolorsociety.org
Las Cruces LGBTQ+ Pride Parade
Downtown, Main Street
Saturday, October 3, 4:00 PM
The event is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, featuring floats, walking groups, and community participation. The parade routes directly through the heart of downtown, ending at Plaza de Las Cruces, where there will be a celebration from 5:00 - 10:00 pm.
