Santa Fe’s beloved Christmas at the Palace brings the community together for a 30th-anniversary evening of hot cider, cookies, live music, piñatas, craft-making activities, a chance to operate an antique printing press and the visit of Mr. and Mrs. Claus -- all in the legendary magic of the Palace of the Governors. A free, family event. (Donations of non-perishable food welcomed.)
The History Museum and Palace will close at 3 p.m. to prepare for this event. Enter through the Palace at 105 W. Palace Ave. The History Museum will remain closed during the event.
Our schedule:
5:30–8 pm: Santa arrives at the Palace’s front door, then meets with children in the Courtyard
Also meet Mrs. Claus and Santa’s elves; enjoy hot cider and cookies
5:30–8 pm, Palace Press: Make holiday cards on an antique printing press. In the courtyard, use your crafts skills to turn a paper sack into a cowboy-boot Christmas stocking.
5:30–6:30 pm, Courtyard: Coro de Agua Fria, Traditional Christmas carols.
5:30–6:30 pm, Santa Fe Found: Santa Fe Talent Education Suzuki Strings, performing a selection of seasonal and classical works. Margaret Carpenter and Rick Lohmann, co-directors.
5:30–6:30 pm, Green Room: EPIK Youth of the Santa Fe Concert Association, performing Christmas carols and classical music. Phoenix Avalon (violin); Ezra Shcolnik (violin); Abby Monroe (cello), Nana Parks (saxophone); Riley Walker, Kaeleigh Glasner, Elle Knollton, Sarah Luiz, Jakob Rasmussen, and Zoe Unferverth (vocalists).
6:40–7:30pm, Santa Fe Found: Schola Cantorum of Santa Fe, performing sacred a cappella masterpieces. Billy Turney (director), Lucinda Sydow, Susan Smith, Kelly Sandoval, Ken Pino, Denise Moore, Megan McGuiness, Patricia Lombardo, Peter Ives, Carolyn Ives, Tina Hartell, Kevin Graham, Librada Gonzales, Pat Dolin, Kristin Derr, Ruby D’Amico, Lisa Bertsch (vocalists).
6:40–7:30pm, Green Room: New Mexico School for the Arts, performing holiday favorites and music of the Baroque and Classical masters. First quartet: Maggie King (violin); Vladyslava Yaremenko (violin); Cayenne Adler (viola); and Abby Monroe (cello). Second quartet: Jende Cohen (violin); Mohit Dubey (violin); Julia Baca (viola); and Annabella Farmer (cello).
Piñatas in the Courtyard: 6 pm, Children ages 3 to 7; 6:45 pm, Children ages 8 to 12.
MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS
Young Native Artists Show & Sale
Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 am–4 pm and Sunday, Dec. 15, 10 am–3 pm, classroom and Meem Community Room
Las Posadas
Sunday, December 15, 5:30-7pm. The annual candlelit procession on the Plaza followed by carols in the Palace Courtyard.
These events are made possible by Santa, Mrs. Claus, Santa’s elves, and the Rooftop Devils; The Plaza Café; Cowboys & Indians of Santa Fe; Charles D. Batts; Shiprock Santa Fe; The Shop A Christmas Store; American Tent Rentals; Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz; and the Los Capitanes; and Las Compadres del Palacio support groups of the New Mexico History Museum.
