News Release
NPS Photo/Stan Ford 2016
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Contact: Visitor Center, 505-757-7241
Pecos, NM:– Join us this December for a two-night holiday event at Pecos National Historical Park. Together with the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park, St. Anthony’s Parish, and Western National Parks Association, the park will offer a Farolito Walk on Sunday, December 16th and Las Posadas festivities on Monday, December 17th. Both events are free and all parking will be at the San Miguel County Sherriff’s Posse Grounds. Shuttle transportation is provided.Farolito Walk
Sunday, December 16th
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
In response to popular demand, this laid-back evening will offer visitors the opportunity to leisurely take in the magic and ambiance of more than 3500 farolitos. Enjoy the peace and quiet of a winter’s evening as you follow the illuminated 1-mile trail to the Spanish Mission Church and pueblo. Start your visit at the event tent that will be located outside the E.E. Fogelson Visitor Center. There you will find refreshments, warming stations, and the trailhead. From 6:15 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. the Santa Fe Brass Quintet, a music ensemble of accomplished and dedicated musicians from around the Santa Fe area, will play traditional and contemporary Christmas music.
Las Posadas
Monday, December 17th
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
This evening offers a more traditional Las Posadas experience. Horse-drawn wagon rides will begin at 5:15 p.m. The procession will begin at the remnants of the 18th century church and convento at 6:00 p.m. and wind down the trail to the visitor center with the group singing traditional hymns and holiday songs in both English and Spanish. More than 3,500 farolitos will illuminate the trail. Free hot beverages and biscochitos will be served at the event tent.
In Spanish, las posadas means “inns” or “shelters,” and represents the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and their search for shelter. St. Anthony’s Parish in Pecos carries on this northern New Mexico tradition every December. Pecos National Historical Park will be just one stop during this novena, or nine-day event.
Shuttle service will be more substantial this year to better accommodate the growing number of visitors attending this event. Free visitor parking will be located at the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Posse Rodeo Grounds, immediately south of the Village of Pecos, near mile-marker 5 on the west side of Hwy. 63. Limited handicapped parking will be available at the park visitor center. There will be free school bus shuttles to take visitors to and from the park visitor center and parking area. Gates to the parking area open at 4:30 p.m. and buses will begin taking visitors to both events immediately. The last visitor shuttle from the rodeo grounds to the park will leave at 7:00 p.m. There is no other parking available at Pecos National Historical Park.
Please note, these events are almost entirely outdoors; appropriate winter clothing and flashlights are highly recommended.
The Western National Parks Association bookstore, which is located inside the Visitor Center will be open both evenings until 8:00 p.m. The bookstore, which will be offering a holiday sale during both events, features arts and crafts from local artists, a large selection of books, and a new line of educational earth science games.
For more information, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/
From I-25 N: Take the Pecos/Glorieta Exit, #299. Left onto overpass, right onto Route 50; proceed on Route 50 for eight miles. At the village of Pecos, take a right at the four-way stop onto Route 63. In two miles, the park will be on your right. From I-25 S: Take the Rowe Exit, #307. Follow signs. From Highway 63, the park will be on your left.
Last updated: December 3, 2018