Thanksgiving in Ruidoso 2026: Dinner, Events and Opening Weekend
Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026, and it lands on one of the busiest weekends of the year in Ruidoso. Ruidoso Winter Park opens for tubing on Thanksgiving Day, Ski Apache plans to open that Saturday, and the ice rink at Wingfield Park opens the same day. Here is what is confirmed so far.
Thanksgiving dinner
- Inn of the Mountain Gods Thanksgiving Brunch: Thursday, November 26, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Traditional dishes, seafood, made-to-order omelets and desserts. The price had not been posted as of November 1.
- K-BOB'S Steakhouse takeout meal: a Thanksgiving family meal for 6 to 8 people (smoked turkey or honey ham with sides and rolls), picked up Wednesday, November 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Quantities are limited. Call (575) 378-0025 to order.
- The Lodge at Cloudcroft: Thanksgiving dinner Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., about an hour's drive from Ruidoso. Reservations required at (575) 682-2566.
Ruidoso's tourism office is still adding restaurants to its Thanksgiving page, so check there closer to the day. Many places close or run short hours on the holiday, so book ahead or plan to cook.
Cooking at the cabin
A cabin kitchen makes Thanksgiving easy. 2nd Street Retreat has a full kitchen with a gas stove, pots, pans and dishes, and a dining table. Buy groceries before Wednesday afternoon, when the stores get crowded.
Things to do Thanksgiving weekend
- Ruidoso Winter Park opens Thanksgiving Day, November 26, with snow tubing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and stays open through Sunday. Through December 14, tickets are sold in person at the park only.
- Turkey Trot 5K: Saturday, November 28, at 10 a.m. on the Links Trail. Register in person from 8:30 a.m. at the White Mountain Recreation Complex, 685 Hull Road.
- Ski Apache opening day and Party on the Mountain: Saturday, November 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with food, music and gondola rides, weather and snow permitting. See our Ski Apache 2026-27 guide for lift ticket prices.
- Ice skating at Wingfield Park: the outdoor rink opens Saturday, November 28. A day pass with skate rental is $20, or $12 with your own skates.
- Syd Masters White Mountain Christmas Dinner Show at Many Moons Ranch in Alto: Friday and Saturday, November 27 and 28, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., then on many December dates.
- Aaron Palacios as Juan Gabriel at Inn of the Mountain Gods: Saturday, November 28, show at 7 p.m.
The Village of Ruidoso offices are closed Thursday and Friday.
Holiday markets before Thanksgiving
- Ruidoso Christmas Jubilee, the 39th annual craft show: November 13 to 15 at the Ruidoso Convention Center. Admission is $5, and kids 12 and under and active military get in free.
- A Christmas Affair: an artisan market November 20 to 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., also at the Convention Center.
Weather and the drive
Late November can bring the first snow. Check current conditions and NMRoads before you drive up, and see our El Paso and Albuquerque road trip guides.
Where to stay
2nd Street Retreat sleeps 6 with two king bedrooms, has a private fenced hot tub, and is about 5 minutes from Midtown. The minimum stay is 2 nights, and holiday weekends book early.
Sources: Discover Ruidoso Thanksgiving, Turkey Trot, Ruidoso Winter Park, Ski New Mexico, Ruidoso Parks and Recreation ice rink, Ruidoso Christmas Jubilee.