Christmas in Ruidoso 2026: Lights, Parade, Ice Skating and Shows
Christmas season in Ruidoso starts the weekend after Thanksgiving, when the outdoor ice rink opens, and runs through New Year's. These are the confirmed 2026 dates.
Christmas in the Park and the tree lighting
Thursday, December 3, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Wingfield Park (300 Center Street). Music and skating, then around 6 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by sleigh to light the tree with the mayor. There are sleigh rides, photos with Santa and a free toy for kids. The lights stay up through January.
Festival of Lights Parade
Saturday, December 5, 5:30 to 7 p.m., on Sudderth Drive through Midtown. Free. This year's theme is "A Holly Dolly Christmas." The parade collects toys for Toys for Tots, so bring a new, unwrapped toy.
Ice skating at Wingfield Park
The outdoor rink is open November 28, 2026 through February 15, 2027.
- Regular hours: weekdays 5 to 8 p.m., weekends 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Holiday hours: daily 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. from December 19 to January 5. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve close at 5 p.m., and the rink is closed Christmas Day.
- Prices: $20 with skate rental, $12 with your own skates.
- Kids 12 and under need a parent at the rink, and kids 5 and under need an adult on the ice. When it is full, skaters rotate every 45 minutes.
Spencer Theater holiday shows
The Spencer Theater is at 108 Spencer Road in Alto. Box office: (575) 336-4800.
- A Christmas Carol: Thursday, December 10, at 7 p.m. Tickets $36 to $79, with an optional buffet before the show.
- The Nutcracker, by the Ruidoso Academy of Ballet and Dance: Saturday, December 19, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets $42.
Children under 4 are not admitted to either show.
Christmas dinner show
The Syd Masters White Mountain Christmas Dinner Show at Many Moons Ranch in Alto runs on many nights from November 27 through December 30, including Christmas Day, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Check the event listing for the full list of dates and tickets.
Skiing and tubing over the holidays
Ski Apache holiday pricing runs December 19 to January 4, when a full-day adult ticket is $195 and kids do not ski free. See our Ski Apache 2026-27 guide. Ruidoso Winter Park runs tubing and its mountain coaster daily over Christmas break; its December hours were not posted yet as of November 1.
New Year's Eve
Inn of the Mountain Gods hosts a "Summer of '69" New Year's Eve party on Thursday, December 31, with dinner at 6 p.m., the show at 8 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets start at $145.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Restaurants had not announced Christmas Eve or Christmas Day hours as of November 1. Many close or run short hours, so plan a cabin dinner or call ahead.
Where to stay
2nd Street Retreat has a fireplace, a full kitchen for a holiday dinner, two king bedrooms and a private fenced hot tub. Over Christmas the minimum stay is 4 nights, and check-in and check-out are not allowed on some days around the holiday, so check dates on the booking page.
Sources: Christmas in the Park, Festival of Lights Parade, Ruidoso ice rink, Spencer Theater, Ski Apache lift tickets, Inn of the Mountain Gods New Year's Eve.