MAIN Christmas USA Christmas in New Mexico

Although New Mexico is usually thought of as a top warm weather vacation destination, it also makes Christmas bright with thousands of "luminarias" (in Santa Fe, farolitos) that quite literally light up the season.

Especially in northern New Mexico, luminarias help to light the way for Las Posadas ("the lodgings"), a nine-day Christmas celebration that reenacts Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem.

The Las Posadas tradition, which has its roots in Mexico, usually begins with a devout procession and ends in lots of music and holiday feasting ...

DID YOU KNOW? New Mexico Christmas fun facts

• Why pile into the car when you can take the boat? Every year, Christmas in the Pecos in Carlsbad features boat tours along the Pecos River for a wonderland of twinkling lights. The show is courtesy of more than 100 local residents who decorate their homes and boat docks with millions of lights for the event, often called the best holiday light show in New Mexico.

• Christmas in New Mexico means traditional holiday songs played mariachi style! Check out festive violins and pulsating horns at Christmas Mariachi which has been entertaining audiences for 20 years at Popejoy Hall at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

• In Santa Fe, the Palace of the Governors is the oldest government building in continuous use in the USA, where each year visitors get the royal treatment during Christmas at the Palace decorated with Christmas pinatas and luminarias and filled with live holiday carolers and musicians. Then it's out in the courtyard for hot chocolate, cookies and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

More information about Christmas in NM around the Web:

River of Lights - Rio Grande Botanic Garden - Enjoy thousands of twinkling lights and holiday displays at Albuquerque's dazzling walk-through light show, with information on dates and times, admission fees.

Christmas in Santa Fe - Find out what's happening around town for the holidays including information on Los Posados celebrations, the winter Spanish market, Christmas at the Palace, and more.

Winter Spanish Market - Find unique & traditional arts & crafts on display during the annual event at Santa Fe's Museum of Spanish Colonial Art.

Holiday Fiesta at the Millicent Rogers Museum - Take in all the color and celebration at the annual Taos event featuring a visit by Santa, kids craft activities and holiday music.

Lighting of Ledoux Street - There's Christmas magic afoot as this historic Taos street is illuminated with hundreds of farolitos and luminarias centering around the Harwood Museum and surrounding shops in a traditional holiday night out.