Santa Fe Holiday Traditions: Beyond the Ordinary

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review Covid-19 protocols and will adhere to local Covid-19 guidelines and requirements throughout the program. Transportation for program-related activities will be via motorcoach unless specified otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At 6:00 p.m. in our private hotel meeting room.

Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, relax, and get a good night’s sleep for the full day ahead.

Activity note: Walking up to 3 miles over the course of the day; walking on dark, crowded roads for Farolito walk; uneven, paved, possibly icy surfaces with inclines.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: In the hotel meeting room, our Group Leader will run a discussion about the unique history of New Mexico. We’ll learn about its earliest Ancestral Puebloan inhabitants and the Spanish and American soldiers and settlers who followed. We'll also hear about Santa Fe and its special nickname (The Different City). We'll then head out on foot to explore Santa Fe's Plaza area. This has been the vibrant heart of the city for almost four centuries. We'll go on a field trip to some of the sites detailed in the lecture and continue to learn about the history and cultures of northern New Mexico. We'll visit the impressive Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, the Palace of the Governors, the Loretto Chapel, and other sites as time permits.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We’ll walk back to the hotel for a holiday music performance by "Music for All Seasons."

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: We'll walk with the Group Leader to the bottom of Canyon Road. Then we will go on a self-directed field trip to the annual Christmas Eve Farolito Walk. Starting at dusk, this beloved holiday tradition draws tens-of-thousands of spectators strolling up the road and enjoying displays of farolitos (sand-filled paper bags illuminated with votive candles), luminarias (small bonfires), and beautifully lit shops and homes.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; traveling about 45 miles, approximately 1 hour over the course of the day. Walking up to 1 mile; varied, possibly muddy or snowy terrain. Standing up to 2 hours during dances at the Pueblo. NOTE: Photography of the dances is strictly prohibited and cell phones should be put away (camera and phones will be permanently confiscated if you do not comply).

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Merry Christmas! In the hotel meeting room, a local expert will teach us about Pueblo dances. We'll learn the meaning and traditions behind the dances as well as rules of etiquette while observing a pueblo dance. We'll then travel to Tesuque Pueblo to observe its feast day dances. Situated along the banks of the Tesuque River, the two-and three-story adobe room blocks surround a small plaza and Catholic church. The traditional character of this Pueblo is so well maintained that Tesuque is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We'll do our best to try to see the dancing, but please be aware that dance times and locations are determined by the individual Pueblos according to local conditions; they may start/end earlier or later than originally announced, or may not be open to the public. Dances are both celebratory and ceremonial; it is a privilege to be allowed to attend. Please be quiet and respectful when observing the dances. In preparation for lunch, we will divide into two groups.

Lunch: Having divided into two groups, the first group will continue viewing dances while the second group will walk to a Tesuque Pueblo home for a special feast day luncheon served family style and featuring foods such as stews, enchiladas, salads, homemade breads, desserts, and beverage choices of coffee, tea, water included (no alcohol). We will then switch, with the first group enjoying the meal while the second group returns to the dances.

Afternoon: We'll board the motorcoach and travel to Santa Clara Pueblo to observe the feast day dances. We will then return to Santa Fe before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; traveling about 70 miles, approximately 1.5 hours over the course of the day. Walking up to 1 mile; varied, possibly muddy or snowy terrain. Standing up to 2 hours at Pueblo. NOTE: Photography of the dances is strictly prohibited and cell phones should be put away (camera and phones will be permanently confiscated if you do not comply).

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll then ride to El Santuario de Chimayó for a field trip led by our Group Leader. This shrine, a National Historic Landmark, receives almost 300,000 visitors per year and is a frequent destination for Catholic pilgrimages. Many of the faithful believe that the Santuario is built on sacred earth with miraculous healing powers. Inside, a small side room houses el pocito (the little well), which is the source of the "blessed earth" (tierra bendita). We’ll learn about about the architecture, history and culture of the area. After, we’ll ride to Centinela Traditional Arts Weaving Gallery. This gallery was founded by the Trujillo family and showcases some of Chimayó’s most talented weavers. A number of local families have been carrying on the traditions of Hispanic-style weaving for generations. We'll have the opportunity to see some beautiful pieces by an award-winning, seventh-generation weaver whose work is on display in a number of museums, including the Smithsonian. A member of the Trujillo family will teach us about the art of weaving and the types of weavings that are unique to Chimayó.

Lunch: At Rancho de Chimayó, a charming restaurant housed in an old hacienda, we’ll have a plated meal ordered off of a special menu featuring traditional New Mexican cuisine, with chips, salsa, and beverage choices of coffee, tea, water, soft drinks; other beverages available for purchase. This restaurant is known for its heirloom chiles (the fruit of the Capsicum plant). Most traditional New Mexican dishes are prepared with either red or green chile; New Mexico's official state question is "Red or green?" (If you'd like to try both, order "Christmas!").

Afternoon: We’ll ride to Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. Juan de Oñate established the first Spanish capital city in what is now New Mexico near Okay Owingeh Pueblo (formerly San Juan Pueblo) in 1598. Traditionally, San Juan (O'ke in the Tewa language) was the center of a Native American meeting ground. Today, the pueblo is the headquarters of the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council and is known for its redware pottery, weaving and painting. We’ll see the Turtle Dances, the same dance we learned about the day before, and gain a better understanding of the Pueblo people. We’ll ride back to the hotel for some time to freshen up before dinner.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Santa Fe. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Santa Fe is known for the breadth and depth of its culinary offerings. Not to be confused with "Tex-Mex," New Mexican cuisine is a fusion of Native American and Spanish techniques and ingredients. There are a number of fine restaurants within walking distance.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; traveling about 10 miles, approximately half an hour over the course of the day. Walking up to 1 mile; varied, possibly muddy or snowy terrain. Standing up to 2 hours at museums.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll start the morning with an expert-led presentation about the life and art of Georgia O'Keeffe in the hotel meeting room. Georgia O’Keeffe was one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and a pioneer of American modernism. Although she is best known for the work she produced in New Mexico, O’Keeffe was a prolific artist with over 2000 works over the course of her career and was the first female artist to have a museum dedicated solely to her work. Next, we’ll ride to Museum Hill for a self-directed field trip to the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Museum of International Folk Art. As we view the exhibits, we’ll learn more about the history, art and culture of indigenous peoples. The Group Leader will be present to answer questions as needed. The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture features pottery, jewelry, sculptures, baskets, and other objects made by Native Americans from the earliest times to modern day, scrupulously documented and beautifully displayed. Most of the work is from the Southwest. The Museum of International Folk Art houses indigenous art from around the world– ranging from ceremonial dress and masks to furniture. The museum hosts the largest collection of international folk art in the world, including wings featuring some of the 106,000 pieces donated by collectors Alexander and Susan Girard and Lloyd Cotsen's Neutrogena collection. We'll regroup at a designated time and ride back to the hotel.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Santa Fe. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Santa Fe is known for the breadth and depth of its culinary offerings. Not to be confused with "Tex-Mex," New Mexican cuisine is a fusion of Native American and Spanish techniques and ingredients. There are a number of fine restaurants within walking distance.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. There are a number of museums, shops and galleries within walking distance of the hotel. Nearby museums include the New Mexico Museum of Art, the New Mexico History Museum, the Palace of the Governors, the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Native Art. Another nearby site of interest is the State Capitol building; it houses the State Capitol Art Collection, which features the work of local New Mexico artists, sculptors and photographers. Those willing to travel a few miles down Cerrillos Road (city bus transportation available on Sheridan Street near the Plaza) might enjoy visiting The House of Eternal Return at the Meow Wolf Art Complex. A uniquely Santa Fe experience, The House of Eternal Return is a multimedia, interactive art experience that seeks to immerse their visitors in a fantastical story. Developed with the generous support of Santa Fe resident and author George R.R. Martin—most famous for his Game of Thrones fantasy series— it was an immediate sensation after its opening in March 2016; it has attracted over 1,000,000 adventurers from around the world to date. It's a far cry from traditional Santa Fe style, but is a lot of fun for the open-minded and young-at-heart.

Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.

Evening: At leisure. Explore Santa Fe's nightlife, enjoy the company of new Road Scholar friends with informal activities, or rest and relax.

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach; traveling about 60 miles, approximately 2 hours over the course of the day. Walking up to 2 miles at Pecos.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll travel to the community of Eldorado where we’ll visit with chefs Lois Ellen Frank, PhD, and Walter Whitewater of Red Mesa Cuisine. They will demonstrate and provide instruction on the preparation of a meal featuring regional cuisine. Dr. Frank is a Native American foods historian, culinary anthropologist, photographer and James Beard Award-winning author.

Lunch: At Red Mesa Cuisine, we’ll eat the 4-course plated meal that was prepared during the cooking demonstration. There will be beverage choices of coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: After lunch, we'll depart for Pecos National Historical Park, a classic example of a Pueblo ancestral community and the effects of Spanish colonization. The site, on ranch land (the Forked Lightning Ranch) owned by the late Greer Garson and her husband, Buddy Fogelson, was donated with the hope that it would be preserved for visitors. The museum/visitors' center features a film narrated by Ms. Garson. A mile-long, paved hiking trail circles the site, which has remains of pueblo dwellings, kivas and a mission church, all located on remarkably beautiful land in the Pecos valley 30 miles northeast of Santa Fe. We will return to the hotel in the late afternoon with some time to freshen up and relax.

Dinner: At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Evening: In our hotel meeting room, we’ll have a wrap-up session to share what we learned and exchange our farewells.

Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: Hotel buffet. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!