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Albuquerque is a great place to enjoy the holidays. The unique sights and sounds of New Mexico lend a unique feel to the holidays, and they holidays get an early kickoff with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in October. From there, the smell of fresh roasted green chile hangs in the air, the days get cooler and crisper, and the mountains don a mantle of snow and frost in the months leading up to the new year.

The holidays, here like many other places, means parties and visiting friends and family. These get-togethers are fun and festive and always seem to have some element that reminds one of where you are at. This can be the bowl of posole set out along with the holiday sweets or the garlands and lights strung around and between the ristras hanging from the walls and beams of the home.

Part of what makes a holiday special is the time with loved ones doing something together. Many homes across the country spend time baking cookies and cakes or making fudge and rice krispie treats. A cherished memory for many from Albuquerque is getting together as a large group to make tamales for the holidays. It is a big production, since it takes time and a lot of work to make tamales. Having a large group divides the work among many hands - literally. Everybody can participate, and at the end of the evening there are lots of tamales for everybody to take home and enjoy.

For anybody that is not part of a tamale-making event, there are still ways to enjoy the holidays. An early morning hot air balloon ride is both peaceful and exhilarating. An afternoon stroll through Old Town or Nob Hill allows for both impulse purchases and people watching. Visiting the Petroglyphs National Monument on the west side of the valley offers a view of the people who were here before us.

When the weather is too cold to be walking outside, there is always an opportunity to drive around the surrounding area. From the Acoma and Isleta pueblos, to the White Sands Missile Range, the VLA (Very Large Array) radio telescopes, Santa Fe, the Sanctuario de Chimayo and the Bosque del Apache there are many sights and locations within a couple of hours of town.

If physical activity is the goal, then New Mexico has some enjoyable ski areas, mostly to the North of Albuquerque. There is a small ski area very easily accessible however. Sandia Ski Area is on the back side of the mountains that dominate the eastern horizon. While it is possible to drive there, the quickest way to get there is to take the Tramway to the top for both a spectacular view of town, an enjoyable - if pricey - meal (especially at sunset) at High Finance, and an opportunity to go skiing.

My favorite holiday activity can only be done on Christmas Eve. All across town people decorate their homes with luminarias (also called farolitos). These are small bags with candles inside. Sand weighs down the bags so they stay open and in place. After sunset, their soft glow illuminates the streets and is meant to guide the Christ child into the home. Many of the best decorated streets - including the spectacular Old Town display - can be viewed by a bus tour, but for those willing to brave the traffic, the same sights can be seen for free by walking or driving through those neighborhoods.

There is more to do in Albuquerque during the holidays - and year round. These are just a sampling of things I enjoy including in my trips home for the holidays.

Learn more about this author, Jack Thornton.
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