Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta

Frosty aspen leaves

NPS/David Krueger

 

With elk bugling during misty mornings and aspen leaves turning shades of gold, fall is a magical time in the Jemez Mountains. Come celebrate the season at the Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta. The 2025 event will run from Saturday, October 4, through Sunday, October 12, from 10 am to 4 pm. Each day will have different ways for you to connect with this volcanic landscape.

This year, we will be hosting the events in the Cabin District, which is located about 4 miles down the park's gravel entrance road. Activities will include:

• Artisan village and educational booths on Oct. 4-5
• Cultural demonstrations on Oct. 4-5
• Guest speakers on Oct. 4-5
• Eruption simulations every hour on the half hour in the Volcano Discovery Center
• Ranger-guided programs every day
• Silent discos on Oct. 4-5 and 10-11
• After-hours park access every night

As activities are confirmed, details will be shared in the daily schedule below and on our Calendar of Events. We look forward to seeing you at Valles Caldera National Preserve!

NOTE: Leashed and well-behaved pets are welcome at Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta. They may accompany their humans on the Cabin District Trail, in picnic areas, and at the artisan village. However, pets are not permitted inside of the Volcano Discovery Center. Thank you for understanding!

 

Daily Schedule

Click on the dates below to view the daily event schedule. This calendar will continue to be populated as our team confirms guests speakers, cultural demonstrations, and other activities.

 

Saturday, October 4

9:00 am     Park opens to vehicular traffic
10:00 am   Fall Fiesta booths open in Cabin District
11:00 am    Ranger-guided "Hike Through History"
2:00 pm     Stained Glass Wildlife Craft
4:00 pm     Fall Fiesta booths close
5:00 pm     Valle Grande After Hours
6:30 pm     Silent Disco at the Borrow Pit
7:30 pm     Guided Stargazing in Cabin District
8:00 pm     Astrophotography Workshop in Cabin District
10:00 pm   Park closes

Sunday, October 5

9:00 am     Park opens to vehicular traffic
10:00 am   Fall Fiesta booths open in Cabin District
11:00 am    Ranger-guided Wildlife Photography
2:00 pm     Junior Ranger Program: Animal Superpowers
4:00 pm     Fall Fiesta booths close
5:00 pm     Valle Grande After Hours
6:30 pm     Silent Disco at the Borrow Pit
7:30 pm     Guided Stargazing in Cabin District
8:00 pm     Astrophotography Workshop in Cabin District
10:00 pm   Park closes

Monday, October 6

9:00 am     Park opens to vehicular traffic
2:00 pm     Instant Film Photography Program
5:00 pm     Valle Grande After Hours
10:00 pm   Park closes

Tuesday, October 7

9:00 am     Park opens to vehicular traffic
3:00 pm     Nature Journaling on La Jara Creek Trail
5:00 pm     Valle Grande After Hours
10:00 pm   Park closes

Wednesday, October 8

9:00 am     Park opens to vehicular traffic
5:00 pm     Valle Grande After Hours
10:00 pm   Park closes

Thursday, October 9

9:00 am     Park opens to vehicular traffic
5:00 pm     Valle Grande After Hours
10:00 pm   Park closes

Friday, October 10

9:00 am     Park opens to vehicular traffic
5:00 pm     Valle Grande After Hours
6:30 pm     Silent Disco at the Borrow Pit
7:30 pm     Stargazing in Cabin District
8:00 pm     Astrophotography in Cabin District
10:00 pm   Park closes

Saturday, October 11

9:00 am     Park opens to vehicular traffic
11:00 am    Ranger-guided "Hike Through History"
5:00 pm     Valle Grande After Hours
6:30 pm     Silent Disco at the Borrow Pit
7:30 pm     Stargazing in Cabin District
8:00 pm     Astrophotography in Cabin District
10:00 pm   Park closes

Sunday, October 12

9:00 am     Park opens to vehicular traffic
9:30 am     Ranger-guided Birding Tour
5:00 pm    Valle Grande After Hours
8:00 pm    Park closes

 

Cultural Demonstrators and Artisans

On October 4-5 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, visitors to the Fall Fiesta Artisan Village will have opportunities to interact with artists and cultural demonstrators from regional Tribes and Pueblos. The Artisan Village will be set up in front of the Volcano Discovery Center in the Cabin District.

Are you interested in participating as an artist or cultural demonstrator? Please read the information below.

 

Information for Cultural Demonstrators

We appreciate you joining us for this event. Here are some details to make your time at the fiesta as enjoyable as possible.

• The entrance gate opens at 9 am every day, which gives roughly an hour for set-up.
• We have a dedicated artisan space in the cabin district, which is about 4 miles down the main entrance road. Each artisan space includes:
  • 10'x10' space (possibly more space available)
  • Verizon hotspot (Internet connection for sales machines)
  • Power may be available upon request
• Artisans should supply their own tables and chairs.
• Event runs from 10 am to 4 pm each day.
• This part of the park closes at 5 pm each day.
• Nearest accomodations, food, and services: Los Alamos or Jemez Springs.
• Free (just need to complete the demonstration agreement).
• Sale of your artwork!

Please contact Dave Krueger ([e-mail] or 505-412-0826) with any questions.

 

Valle Grande After Hours

During the 2025 Valles Caldera Fall Fiesta, part of the park will remain open until 10:00 pm each night for self-guided activities like observing/photographing wildlife, taking a sunset hike, or enjoying the night sky. The area that will remain open after-hours is from the main entrance to the Cabin District.
 
Make the most of your experience by practicing these after-hours courtesies:

• Plan ahead and prepare. There will likely be no visitor services available after-hours. For this reason, visitors should bring everything they need for a safe and comfortable visit, including warm clothing, snacks, drinking water, flashlights/headlamps, etc.

 

• Respect wildlife. October is the height of the elk rut, which is an amazing phenomenon to witness. To respect this sensitive time for wildlife, please keep noise levels to a minimum, observe from a safe distance, properly dispose of all food waste, and follow posted speed limits.

 

• Be considerate of other visitors. Many visitors will come to the caldera after dark to enjoy its magnificent night sky. Please minimize your impact on the stargazing experience by using red headlamps or flashlights, avoiding unnecessary vehicular travel (headlights) in the park after dark, and, when vehicular travel is necessary, following posted speed limits to minimize dust and ensure visitor/wildlife safety.

 

• Stay mindful of the time. The main entrance gate will be closed and locked promptly at 10:00 pm each night. It is each visitor's responsibility to be back at their vehicle and exiting the park on time.