Two Stunningly Festive Southwest Destinations to Visit This Holiday Season

Santa Fe, NM | Image credit: Gabriel Tovar

Many towns and cities in West Texas and New Mexico are ideal for a holiday getaway, but two significant places stand out. Let’s explore two premier destinations in the Southwest for a festive and fun vacation.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe is the state capital of New Mexico and is widely considered one of the most beautiful cities in the U.S. It became a Spanish colony at the beginning of the 17th century and maintains a European Colonial style, with a scenic central plaza and gorgeous architecture. Santa Fe is a popular destination throughout the year and is ideal for a family-friendly holiday getaway.

During the holidays, the picturesque architecture of Santa Fe is decorated with holiday lights, making it a one-of-a-kind setting in which to celebrate. The historic Santa Fe Plaza holiday season kicks off with the Plaza lighting ceremony, which includes tasty treats and holiday songs. For a Christmas party to remember, head to the New Mexico History Museum and Palace of the Governors, or the Santa Fe Plaza for Christmas at the Palace. This holiday tradition includes live music, warm cider, and family-centric events in a historic and intricately decorated buildings.

There are numerous other events in Santa Fe this holiday season. GLOW is a yearly tradition at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, where thousands of lights cover the beautiful plants in this famed attraction. Santa Fe also has fantastic skiing destinations nearby, with its mountainous terrain making for ideal conditions for the popular winter sport.

Amarillo, Texas

Amarillo is a major West Texas city home to more than 200,000. It is a cultural and commercial hotspot with many aspects to its appeal. The U.S. Route 66-Sixth Street Historic District has superb shopping with artisanal goods and antiques and incredible dining options, including some famous Texas barbecue hotspots. Amarillo is also near the picturesque and massive Palo Duro Canyon State Park, which has some of the best trails in the state. Visiting Amarillo during the holidays is an awesome way to experience this gorgeous city.

Several holiday traditions in Amarillo make it an exciting atmosphere for a seasonal getaway. Amarillo is lit up for the holiday season with thousands of lights, and a family-friendly horse-drawn carriage tour shows you the best light displays in the city. Amarillo also has a thriving theater scene that puts on family-friendly holiday classics.

Amarillo has events celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa throughout the holiday season. There are menorah lightings, Kwanzaa gatherings, and a large Christmas village. It is an exciting time of year in the city with an array of festive events ideal for families.