Spend your New Mexico Christmas vacation in the company of friends, family, and gorgeous rolling summits at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino. Located in the Sacramento Mountains of South Central New Mexico on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, Inn of the Mountain Gods treats vacationers to a one-of-a-kind holiday experience in the American Southwest.
Wake up to breathtaking views of mountain tops, savor the best restaurants in the area, and enjoy the best casino gaming, spa treatments, and live entertainment, all available at Inn of the Mountain Gods. Best of all, resort guests will find themselves near some of the top Christmas events New Mexico has to offer.
WHAT IS CHRISTMAS LIKE IN NEW MEXICO?
Christmas in New Mexico is festive and full of events for families, couples, or anyone looking for a winter getaway. The mountain village of Mescalero is perfectly situated near some of the most delightful holiday attractions in New Mexico.
Expect that the well-known area lodge—Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino—will be beautifully decorated for the season and ready with a host of live entertainment, from tree lighting ceremonies to concerts to brunch. Revel in the scenic mountain backdrop of the Sierra Blanca mountains and visit the state’s southernmost ski resort featuring snow-filled hills under a canopy of blue skies. The average high temperature in this area of New Mexico is 45℉ in December—the perfect temperature for bundling up and enjoying fresh mountain air.
Don’t be a Scrooge—check out what you can do around Inn of the Mountain Gods this holiday season!
New Mexico Christmas Events Near Inn of the Mountain Gods
Whether you’re looking for traditional Christmas events or something with a festive Southwest spin, there are many activities in the Mescalero area to make this your best winter holiday yet. Take part in festivities right at the hotel or venture out to nearby towns for celebrations and parades. There are plenty of options throughout the season to impart cheer to your visit, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve.
Christmas Tree Lighting at Inn of the Mountain Gods
When: November 27th, 2022
Where: Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino
The holiday season officially begins in Mescalero, New Mexico with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Inn of the Mountain Gods. All are welcome to this free holiday event that offers festive shopping and family-friendly activities. The holiday fun begins at 1:00 p.m. with a Barnes & Noble pop-up shop and continues with cookies, hot cocoa, and photos with Santa beginning at 4:00 p.m. The festivities finish with a tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. in Wendell’s Lobby at the Inn. The sparkling lights welcome the season in spectacular style.
CHRISTMAS BRUNCH & PRAISE EVENT
When: December 3rd, 2022
Where: Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino
Get in the holiday spirit with this Christmas event featuring great food and fabulous caroling. The Come Let us Adore Him: Brunch & Praise Event at Inn of the Mountain Gods includes a full brunch menu with traditional breakfast fare, assorted pastries, and main dishes to please any appetite. The meal is followed by a worship service and Christmas carols led by the local Alamogordo Christ Community Church. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. with worship commencing at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are $50 per person.
Ruidoso Festival of Lights Parade
When: December 3rd, 2022
Where: Sudderth Drive, Ruidoso, New Mexico
The Ruidoso Festival of Lights Parade is a must-see Christmas event. Vehicles decked out in twinkling lights spread Christmas cheer up and down Sudderth Drive from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Festive floats, marchers, and more bring holiday jubilance to Ruidoso. The parade takes on a Star Wars theme this year to delight kids and adults alike. An after party at Wingfield Park offers ice skating amid Christmas lights with festive music, marshmallow roasting, and Santa sightings until 10:00 p.m.
The Nutcracker at Spencer Theater
When: December 17th – 18th, 2022
Where: 108 Spencer Road, Alto, New Mexico
Get ready for a Christmas classic, The Nutcracker, at the Spencer Theater in Alto, NM. This beloved ballet features 70 costumed dancers from the Ruidoso Academy of Ballet and Dance. All ages will love this retelling of a holiday masterpiece including its brilliant musical score and dazzling sets. The Nutcracker performances take place at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 17th, and at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 18th. Tickets start at $39 per person. Call (575) 336-4800 for tickets or purchase them online.
Christmas at Flying J Ranch
When: Select dates between November and early January
Where: 1028 Highway 48 North, Alto, New Mexico
Enjoy an Old West evening full of Christmas events at Flying J Ranch in the Sangre De Cristo mountains of Alto, New Mexico. Check in at the ticket booth after 5:30 p.m. as the Western Main Street exhibits open, featuring Santa’s workshop, hayrides, an incredible holiday light display, and more. Listen to The Fiddler’s Side Show until the dinner bell rings. The included chuckwagon supper is served promptly at 7:00 p.m., and is followed by a can’t-miss Christmas show with the musical stylings of the Flying J Wranglers. The festivities occur on select dates throughout the holiday season. Tickets are $44 per person. For more information, contact (575) 336-4330 or book your tickets online.
Grindstone Stables Christmas Sleigh Rides
When: Thanksgiving through December 31st, 2022
Where: 523 Resort Drive, Ruidoso, New Mexico
Get out into the crisp winter air and jingle all the way through Ruidoso’s Upper Canyon on a sleigh ride from Grindstone Stables. Beautiful draft horses adorned in jingling bells pull you through Ruidoso’s oldest area. Snow or no snow, these 30-minute sleigh rides are sure to delight all ages! The rides begin on Thanksgiving and continue on Fridays and Saturdays through December 10th, and then are available daily from December 16th through New Year’s Eve. Reservations are recommended. Tickets cost $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Call (575) 257-2241 for more information.
Take a peek at the Inn of the Mountain Gods entertainment schedule.
THINGS TO DO IN NEW MEXICO THIS WINTER
New Mexico’s favorable winter weather and festive Christmas spirit make it an excellent destination for winter sports lovers, couples looking for a getaway, or a family on vacation. Discover all there is to do near the Inn of the Mountain Gods, from on-site entertainment to nearby attractions and shops: There are many winter activities to keep everyone having fun.
Winter Skiing at Ski Apache
Ski Apache is one of the top resorts in the area and features 750 skiable acres of terrain with 55 runs and trails for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, and New Mexico’s only eight-passenger gondola. Visit Ski Apache for a unique Christmas activity or consider purchasing season passes as a gift for the outdoors enthusiast in the family. The incredible views are perfect for adults looking to relax and take it all in, and the thrilling zipline and high elevations get any thrill-seeker’s attention.
MIDTOWN RUIDOSO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING
Finish your holiday shopping or find the perfect gift just for you at one of Midtown Ruidoso’s many local shops and boutiques. Shoppers will find plenty of options to peruse, among them outdoor specialty shops, vintage and secondhand shops, art galleries, and souvenir stores, including The Ruidoso Trading Post—a favorite for all ages.
GAMING AT INN OF THE MOUNTAIN GODS CASINO
Adults, bring your Christmas spirit to one of the hottest casinos in New Mexico. The Inn of the Mountain Gods Casino is your chance to win fabulous prizes—and if lady luck is on your side—a Christmas bonus! Take advantage of Christmas events and holiday-themed promotions when you play your favorite casino games. Or, lounge in the Sportsbook and watch all the action of your favorite sports teams from comfortable high-top seating.
Topgolf at Inn of the Mountain Gods
Itching for a game of golf? You’re in luck. Inn of the Mountain Gods is home to Southern New Mexico’s first Topgolf Swing Suite. This state-of-the-art golf simulator is open for fun for golfers and non-golfers Friday to Sunday each week. Practice your swing, play a virtual round with your family, and select from multi-sport games, including hockey, baseball, and dodgeball.
WHERE TO STAY FOR CHRISTMAS IN NEW MEXICO
Get the upscale features of a resort with the comforts and warmth of home when you stay at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort for your New Mexico Christmas vacation. Guests staying in select rooms and suites will enjoy unrivaled mountain views from their own private outdoor balcony as well as a whirlpool tub. All hotel rooms and suites include access to a fitness center, pool, high-speed internet, and daily concierge service. In-room amenities include flat-screen televisions, a daily newspaper, in-room safes, and more.
Choose from a variety of accommodations for the holiday season:
- Presidential Suite: Two private balconies, king bed, whirlpool tub, living area, dining area, kitchenette, multiple flat-screen televisions
- Deluxe Suite: Private balcony, king bed, whirlpool tub, multiple flat-screen televisions, living area with a queen-size sleeper sofa
- Royal Suite: Private balcony, king bed, whirlpool tub, living area with a queen-size sleeper sofa, multiple flat-screen televisions, dining area
- Superior Room: Private balcony, one king pillow-top bed or two queen pillow-top beds, flat-screen television, coffee maker
- Luxury Room: Private balcony, two queen pillow-top beds or one king pillow-top bed, queen-size sleeper sofa, flat-screen television, coffee maker
- Standard Room: One king pillow-top bed or two queen pillow-top beds, flat-screen teleivion; coffee maker
When you stay at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, there’s no shortage of New Mexico Christmas events—or cheer! Make this your perfect winter getaway for two or enjoy a family vacation for the holidays. Our well-appointed rooms, ample amenities, and on-site dining promise something for everyone. Extend your stay and join us for a New Year’s Eve Celebration to ring in 2023 in an extra-festive fashion.