# Things to Do in Santa Fe with Friends This Weekend

Things to do in Santa Fe with friends this weekend, Oct 16–18: 4 dated events, buzzy bars, group-friendly restaurants and plans. Updated Oct 18.

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This weekend in Santa Fe: Fri, Oct 16 – Sun, Oct 18, 2026 · 4 dated events

Updated: Oct 18, 2026

What's on in Santa Fe, NM this week — the spots locals are packing, buzzy restaurants, and weekend plans worth texting the group chat about.

## Happening Today

Events and things to do tonight

### Schubert & The Bells at Lensic Performing Arts Center
The Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus perform Schubert's 'Unfinished' Symphony, Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre, and Rachmaninoff's Edgar Allan Poe-inspired choral work, The Bells.
- Venue: Lensic Performing Arts Center
- Location: Downtown Santa Fe, NM
- Date: 2026-10-18 4:00 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Everyone
- Link: https://santafesymphony.org/event/schubert-the-bells/

### Santa Fe Raptor Center at the Botanical Garden
Meet live rescued hawks, falcons, and owls up close in the Hendricksen Pavilion while educators demonstrate raptor flight adaptations amidst autumn garden foliage.
- Venue: Santa Fe Botanical Garden
- Location: Museum Hill, Santa Fe
- Date: 2026-10-18 11:30 AM
- Cost: $
- Best for: Families
- Link: https://visitsfbg.org/event/santa-fe-raptor-center-october-18-2026/

### Railyard Artisan Market at Farmers' Market Pavilion
Browse handcrafted ceramics, handwoven textiles, and silver jewelry from over 60 juried New Mexico makers, steps from outdoor pinon-roasting stands.
- Venue: Santa Fe Farmers' Market Pavilion
- Location: Santa Fe Railyard, Santa Fe
- Date: 2026-10-18 10:00 AM
- Cost: $
- Best for: Everyone
- Link: https://santafefarmersmarket.com/railyard-artisan-market/

## This Weekend in Santa Fe, NM

Concerts and vibrant performances ahead

### Thee Sinseers w/ The Charities at Lensic Performing Arts Center
Joey Quiniones fronts East LA's premier sweet soul outfit, bringing brass harmonies, retro R&B rhythms, and doo-wop sensibilities to the historic Lensic stage.
- Venue: Lensic Performing Arts Center
- Location: Downtown Santa Fe, NM
- Date: 2026-10-24 7:30 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Adults
- Link: https://lensic.org/events/thee-sinseers/

### Ax and the Hatchetmen at Meow Wolf
Catch Chicago's energetic seven-piece indie-rock ensemble playing within the neon, surreal setting of the House of Eternal Return music venue.
- Venue: Meow Wolf Santa Fe
- Location: Rufina Arts District, Santa Fe
- Date: 2026-10-23 8:00 PM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Young Adults
- Link: https://tickets.meowwolf.com/santa-fe/events/ax-and-the-hatchetmen/

### Silkroad Up Close at Lensic Performing Arts Center
Grammy-winning Silkroad Ensemble core musicians Kinan Azmeh, Maeve Gilchrist, and Kaoru Watanabe weave Syrian clarinet, Celtic harp, and Japanese shinobue into an intimate acoustic tapestry.
- Venue: Lensic Performing Arts Center
- Location: Downtown Santa Fe, NM
- Date: 2026-10-22 7:30 PM
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Culture Lovers
- Link: https://lensic.org/events/silkroad-up-close/

## Eat & Drink

Signature red chile, heirloom moles, and plaza classics

### Heirloom Huevos Motuleños at Cafe Pasqual's
Settle under Mexican paper banners for sunny morning eggs over black beans, sautéed bananas, feta, and warm green chile on handmade corn tortillas.
- Location: Historic Plaza, Santa Fe
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Foodies
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Heirloom%20Huevos%20Motule%C3%B1os%20at%20Cafe%20Pasqual%27s%20Historic%20Plaza%2C%20Santa%20Fe

### Blue Corn Enchiladas at The Shed
Housed in a 1692 hacienda on Prince Patio, known for its fiery red chile ground from whole Hatch pods, served over rolled blue corn tortillas with posole and garlic French bread.
- Location: Prince Patio, Downtown Santa Fe
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Casual Diners
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Blue%20Corn%20Enchiladas%20at%20The%20Shed%20Prince%20Patio%2C%20Downtown%20Santa%20Fe

### Artisanal Mole Tasting at Sazón
James Beard Award-winning Chef Fernando Olea guides your table through four house-crafted moles on warm corn tortillas before savory duck breast and cholula-scented prime cuts.
- Location: Shelby Street, Downtown Santa Fe
- Cost: $$$$
- Best for: Special Occasion
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Artisanal%20Mole%20Tasting%20at%20Saz%C3%B3n%20Shelby%20Street%2C%20Downtown%20Santa%20Fe

## New & Notable

Fresh exhibits and fall traditions to catch now

### Aspen Vista Foliage Run on Hyde Park Road
Mid-October brings peak shimmering gold to the high quaking aspens along NM-475 winding toward Santa Fe Ski Basin; hit the trailhead by late morning before high-elevation temperatures tumble.
- Location: Hyde Park Road, Sangre de Cristo Foothills
- Cost: $
- Best for: Hikers & Photographers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Aspen%20Vista%20Foliage%20Run%20on%20Hyde%20Park%20Road%20Hyde%20Park%20Road%2C%20Sangre%20de%20Cristo%20Foothills

### Expect Unexpected Company at House of Eternal Return
Through late December, wandering cosmic cast members, acrobats, and unannounced actors inhabit the secret passageways and interdimensional rooms of Meow Wolf every weekend afternoon.
- Venue: Meow Wolf Santa Fe
- Location: Rufina Arts District, Santa Fe
- Date: 2026-10-18 11:00 AM
- Cost: $$
- Best for: Creative Explorers
- Link: https://tickets.meowwolf.com/santa-fe/events/expect-unexpected-company/

## Quick Escape

Day trips and weekend retreats within two hours

### Geothermal Mineral Soaking at Ojo Caliente
Drive one hour north into desert bluffs to soak in natural lithia, iron, and soda mineral pools warmed naturally underground, followed by blue corn fish tacos at The Artesian Restaurant.
- Location: Ojo Caliente, NM \(1 hr drive north\)
- Cost: $$$
- Best for: Couples & Solitude Seekers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Geothermal%20Mineral%20Soaking%20at%20Ojo%20Caliente%20Ojo%20Caliente%2C%20NM%20(1%20hr%20drive%20north)

### Pueblo Cliff Dwellings at Bandelier National Monument
Descend into Frijoles Canyon where golden cottonwoods shade 800-year-old ancestral Puebloan cavates carved into volcanic tuff; climb the wooden ladders into Alcove House for panoramic mesa views.
- Location: Los Alamos / Jemez Mountains \(50 min drive\)
- Cost: $
- Best for: History Buffs & Hikers
- Link: https://www.google.com/search?q=Pueblo%20Cliff%20Dwellings%20at%20Bandelier%20National%20Monument%20Los%20Alamos%20%2F%20Jemez%20Mountains%20(50%20min%20drive)

## Ready-made Santa Fe, NM itineraries

- [3-Day Santa Fe Weekend for Couples](https://wonderkit.app/itineraries/santa-fe-nm/3-day-weekend-for-couples)
- [All Santa Fe, NM itineraries](https://wonderkit.app/itineraries/santa-fe-nm)

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