8 Best Performing Arts Venues in Santa Fe, New Mexico

This outstanding festival runs mid-July through late August, with performances nearly every night at the art-filled St. Francis Auditorium, or, occasionally, the Lensic Performing Arts Center. There are also free youth-oriented concerts given on several summer mornings.

The esteemed company presents several ballet performances throughout the year at the Lensic Performing Arts Center.

Begun in 2006 and now widely acclaimed, this nearly monthlong festival presents numerous concerts in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque from mid-July through early August. Recent performers have included Stanley Clarke, the Yellowjackets, Dianne Reeves, and Allen Toussaint.

Tuesday through Saturday nights throughout July and August, free concerts are staged at the bandstand in Downtown's festive and historic Plaza or occasionally at Swan Park on the South Side (off NM 599). A number of nationally noteworthy artists have appeared for this event, where the music ranges from Spanish guitar to blues to rockabilly.

Performances take place over about three weeks in late July and early August at a variety of intriguing venues, from the Cathedral Basilica St. Francis to Loretto Chapel. This highly regarded singing group, which was started in 1982, also performs during the December holiday season.

With the film industry booming in New Mexico, this five-day event held in mid-February has become increasingly well attended, and film screenings, workshops, and discussion panels take place at venues around the city. Movie buffs should also mark their calendars for the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival (www.santafeindependentfilmfestival.com), which takes place over four days in mid-October, with an emphasis, of course, on indie flicks.

First-rate orchestra and chamber concerts are given at St. Francis Auditorium and the Lensic Performing Arts Center by the Grammy-nominated Santa Fe Pro Musica from September through April. Baroque and other classical compositions are the normal fare; the annual Christmas performance, held at Loretto Chapel, is a highlight.

This highly respected symphony performs about 10 concerts each season (September to May) in the Lensic Performing Arts Center.