Things to do with kids in Las Cruces, NM
Checked · All times are local Mountain Time (Las Cruces time)
Coming up in Las Cruces: Official Las Cruces Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot (Nov 26), Tree Lighting and Holiday Market (Dec 5) and Thursday Storytime at Branigan Library (from Oct 29). 8 always-open places, led by Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Thanksgiving events in Las Cruces
Official Las Cruces Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 1 mile 8:30am; 10K 9am; 5K 9:15am
- Cost
- Runners 14 and under free (register separately); adult registration fee
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Flat, paved Thanksgiving 1-mile, 5K and 10K races that start and finish on the LCPS Field of Dreams track. New for 2026: free for runners 14 and under.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: Santa and lights
Tree Lighting and Holiday Market
- When
- Sat, Dec 5 · 5–8pm
- Cost
- See site
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The City of Las Cruces lights its tree on the Plaza, with a holiday market and food trucks, live music, a movie at the Rio Grande Theatre, pictures with Santa and interactive activities.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Thursday Storytime at Branigan Library
- When
- Thu, Oct 29 – Thu, Dec 17 (Thursdays) · 11–11:30am
- Cost
- Library program
- Ages
- Ages Ages 2+ with a caregiver · Indoor
Weekly storytime for young children with their caregivers. A Children's Storytime also runs on alternate Tuesdays at 11am.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Always-open family places
Most popular first: zoos, aquariums and museums, then nature spots, parks and libraries. Prices come from each official site; "Not stated" means the site doesn't list one.
Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science
- Price
- Free admission
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Desert life, live animals, stars and Permian trackways; Neurodivergent Nights Thursdays 4–6pm. Free admission; Tue–Fri 10am–4:30pm, Sat 9am–4:30pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Branigan Cultural Center
- Price
- Free admission
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Changing cultural exhibits and family programs in a historic building. Free admission; Tue–Fri 10am–4:30pm, Sat 9am–4:30pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Las Cruces Museum of Art
- Price
- Free admission
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
City art museum on Main Street with free studio workshops (registration required); Tue–Fri 10am–4:30pm, Sat 9am–4:30pm, first Fridays until 7pm; gallery closed Oct 20–Nov 5, 2026 for installation
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Las Cruces Railroad Museum
- Price
- Free admission
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Historic Santa Fe depot with railroad exhibits; freight trains still pass by. Free admission; Tue–Fri 10am–4:30pm, Sat 9am–4:30pm
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum
- Price
- Adult $7 · Child $5 (child 4-17)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Farm animals, demonstrations and exhibits; Mon–Sat 10am–4pm, closed Sun
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Zuhl Museum (NMSU)
- Price
- Free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Petrified wood, fossil and mineral collection at NMSU; Tue–Fri noon–4pm and second Saturdays noon–4pm; closed NMSU holidays; free parking
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Dripping Springs Natural Area
- Price
- $ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Trails in the Organ Mountains; visitor center 8am–5pm; gates 8am–sunset Oct–Mar
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Thomas Branigan Memorial Library
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Children's storytimes in the Roadrunner Room (ages 2+ with a caregiver); Mon–Thu 9am–8pm, Fri–Sat 9am–6pm
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Las Cruces this weekend?
Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science, Branigan Cultural Center and Las Cruces Museum of Art are open most days, but we don't have a Las Cruces event listed for this weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1). Next up: Official Las Cruces Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot (Nov 26) and Tree Lighting and Holiday Market (Dec 5).
What time is trick-or-treating in Las Cruces?
Sunset on Halloween in Las Cruces is at 6:17 p.m. Las Cruces doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk.
What are free things to do with kids in Las Cruces?
These are free according to their official sites: 5 places in Las Cruces, including Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science, Branigan Cultural Center and Las Cruces Museum of Art. See all 5 above.
Where can kids play indoors in Las Cruces when it's too hot or cold?
We list 6 indoor places in Las Cruces: Las Cruces Museum of Nature & Science (Free admission), Branigan Cultural Center (Free admission), Las Cruces Museum of Art (Free admission), Las Cruces Railroad Museum (Free admission) and Zuhl Museum (NMSU, Free). See all 6 above.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Las Cruces?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Las Cruces: Official Las Cruces Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot (Thu, Nov 26).
When and where can kids see Santa in Las Cruces?
We list 1 event with Santa in Las Cruces: Tree Lighting and Holiday Market (Dec 5).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Las Cruces?
We list 1 holiday light event in Las Cruces: Tree Lighting and Holiday Market (Dec 5).
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Las Cruces?
We list 1 everyday program in Las Cruces: Thursday Storytime at Branigan Library (Thursdays).
How much do Las Cruces family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 1 place in Las Cruces: New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum (adult $7, kids 4–17 $5). Confirm before you go; prices change.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. Prices marked verified were copied from the venue's official site; others show an estimated price level or "Not stated". A place is called free only when its official site says so. Read how we verify listings · Arizona weekend search.
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