Things to do with kids in Santa Fe, NM
Checked · All times are local Mountain Time (Santa Fe time)
Coming up in Santa Fe: Halloween Fall Festival & Movie in the Park (Oct 30), Atalaya Turkey Trot 5K & Kids Fun Run (Nov 26), La Luz de las Noches at Santa Fe Botanical Garden (from Dec 17) and 2 more events. 8 always-open places, led by Santa Fe Children's Museum and Meow Wolf: House of Eternal Return. Prices and hours come from each official site.
Halloween & fall events in Santa Fe
Halloween Fall Festival & Movie in the Park
- When
- Fri, Oct 30 · 4–8pm
- Cost
- Not stated
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Trick-or-treating, a pumpkin patch, games, a costume contest and an outdoor showing of Hotel Transylvania.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Thanksgiving events in Santa Fe
Atalaya Turkey Trot 5K & Kids Fun Run
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 5K 9am; 1K Kids Fun Run 10:30am
- Cost
- $15 Kids Fun Run; $40 timed 5K (early pricing)
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
19th annual Thanksgiving-morning 5K and 1K Kids’ Fun Run starting at Railyard Park, benefiting the Atalaya Elementary PTA. Race-day registration and packet pickup from 8am; the race goes on in snow.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas & holiday events: lights
La Luz de las Noches at Santa Fe Botanical Garden
- When
- Thu, Dec 17 – Thu, Dec 31 (Dec 17–31; closed Dec 24 and 25) · 4:30–7:30pm
- Cost
- Adults $29.95, youth $9.95, children 5 and under free
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The garden after dark with lights, a G-scale model train, s'mores by the fire and cookie decorating. Entry slots at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30pm.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Canyon Road Farolito Walk
- When
- Thu, Dec 24 · Christmas Eve, starting at dusk
- Cost
- Free; no tickets or reservations needed
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Santa Fe's Christmas Eve tradition: thousands of farolitos (paper-bag candle lanterns) glow along Canyon Road's galleries, courtyards and adobe walls. Free and open to all ages. It gets very crowded, so dress warmly and plan to walk.
✓ Checked Oct 25, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Storytimes
Storytime & Craft at Southside Library
- When
- Tue, Nov 3 – Tue, Dec 29 (Tuesdays) · 10:30–11:15am
- Cost
- Library program
- Ages
- Ages Preschool & kindergarten (all ages welcome) · Indoor
A lively storytime followed by a hands-on craft, geared to preschoolers and kindergarteners; kids of all ages are welcome.
✓ 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.
Santa Fe Children's Museum
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Arts and science play inside and in the outdoor garden
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Meow Wolf: House of Eternal Return
- Price
- $$$ (estimated price level)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Immersive, explorable art house popular with kids; timed tickets
✓ Details checked Oct 25, 2026 on the official website
Santa Fe Botanical Garden
- Price
- Adult $16 · Child $8 (child 4-17; 0-3 free)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Garden on Museum Hill
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Museum of Indian Arts & Culture
- Price
- Adult $12 · Child free (child 16 and under)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Museum Hill; kids 16 and under free; adults $7 NM residents / $12 non-residents; first Sundays free for NM residents; 10am–5pm (closed Mondays Oct–Apr, Jan 1, Thanksgiving and Dec 25)
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Museum of International Folk Art
- Price
- Adult $7 (New Mexico residents) or $12; children 16 and under free
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Toys, dolls and folk art from around the world; Nov–Apr closed Mondays
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
- Price
- Adult $10 · Child free (child under 12)
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Museum Hill; $10, free for children under 12 and students; first Sundays usually free; Tue–Sat 10am–5pm; closes 2pm Dec 24 and 31; closed Dec 25 and Jan 1
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary
- Price
- Free admission; donations welcome
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Trails, gardens and a Nature Play Area; free Saturday bird walks at 8:30am; closed Dec 22–Jan 31
✓ Price verified Oct 25, 2026 · source
Santa Fe Public Library (Main)
- Price
- Not stated. See the official site.
- Best for
- Ages 0–17+ (our guidance)
Children's department with storytimes; Mon 10am–6pm, Tue–Thu 10am–8pm, Fri–Sat 10am–6pm
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do with kids in Santa Fe this weekend?
This weekend (Oct 30–Nov 1) we list 1 family event in Santa Fe: Halloween Fall Festival & Movie in the Park (Fri).
What time is trick-or-treating in Santa Fe?
Sunset on Halloween in Santa Fe is at 6:09 p.m. Santa Fe doesn't list official trick-or-treat hours, so plan around dusk. City event: Halloween Fall Festival & Movie in the Park, Fri., Oct. 30, 4–8 p.m., Ragle Park.
What Halloween events are in Santa Fe in 2026?
We list 1 Halloween or fall event in Santa Fe: Halloween Fall Festival & Movie in the Park (Fri, Oct 30).
What are free things to do with kids in Santa Fe?
These are free according to their official sites: 1 place and 1 upcoming event in Santa Fe, including Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary and Canyon Road Farolito Walk (Thu, Dec 24).
Where can kids play indoors in Santa Fe when it's too hot or cold?
We list 5 indoor places in Santa Fe: Meow Wolf: House of Eternal Return, Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (kids 16 and under free), Museum of International Folk Art (Adult $7, New Mexico residents or $12) and Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian (kids under 12 free). See all 5 above.
What Thanksgiving events can I take my kids to in Santa Fe?
We list 1 Thanksgiving event in Santa Fe: Atalaya Turkey Trot 5K & Kids Fun Run (Thu, Nov 26).
Where can I take my kids to see Christmas lights in Santa Fe?
We list 2 holiday light events in Santa Fe, 1 free: La Luz de las Noches at Santa Fe Botanical Garden (Dec 17 – Dec 31) and Canyon Road Farolito Walk (Dec 24, free).
Are there storytimes or regular kids' programs in Santa Fe?
We list 1 everyday program in Santa Fe: Storytime & Craft at Southside Library (Tuesdays).
What is there to do with toddlers in Santa Fe?
We list 3 places in Santa Fe that welcome kids under 2, including Santa Fe Botanical Garden, Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary and Santa Fe Public Library (Main). Age ranges for places are our own guidance.
What are the big family attractions in Santa Fe?
The best-known family attractions we list in Santa Fe are Santa Fe Children's Museum and Meow Wolf: House of Eternal Return. They're listed first under always-open places.
How much do Santa Fe family attractions cost?
Prices from the official sites for 4 places in Santa Fe: Santa Fe Botanical Garden (adult $16, kids 4–17; 0-3 free $8) and Museum of Indian Arts & Culture (adult $12, kids 16 and under free). See all 4 above. 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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