Today, “ Candy Cane Lane” has been replaced with the spectacular Christmas on the Pecos River where the homeowners decorate their backyards for boat riders on the river. Don’t wait too long to get your tickets as they fill up fast. Albuquerque children of all ages can participate in the River of Lights held at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden. Both events run the full month of December. Albuquerque’s famous Old Town Luminaria Tour takes place on Christmas Eve. Activities to lighten the heart and illuminate the celebrations can be found all over the state. Hobbs will have the Lighted Christmas Cowboy Promenade on December 2, and on December 10, Rockhound State Park in Deming has the 4th Annual Festival of Lights. Expect a visit from Santa, giant Christmas cards, carolers, wagon rides, arts and crafts, and the Show and Shine Car Show at the Fort Sumner Winterfest on December 10. I always volunteer to judge the Christmas Cookie Contest and award prizes for Best, Most Original, and Most Delicious cookies! I’m sure I’ll need at least two of each entry to make a truly informed decision. Noche de Luminarias will light up the New Mexico State University campus on December 4. One of the largest luminaria displays in Southern New Mexico will also offer music, caroling, and horse-drawn trolley rides, and Santa has promised to come by. Fort Sumner State Monument will host Christmas at the Old Fort on December 17. Everyone’s invited to share cookies, hot chocolate, and help decorate the Christmas tree. On Christmas Eve, songs in English and Spanish will ring out during Luminarias y Canciones. Coronado State Monument will offer Christmas at Kuaua on December 2. The brand new El Camino Real International Heritage Center in Socorro will have a Tinwork Ornament Workshop on December 3. This new monument offers a virtual tour of a portion of the historic trail from Zacatecas , Mexico to Santa Fe. Take time to wander the nature trails and herb gardens. Consider sharing New Mexico with the work of New Mexico authors and publishers at the New Mexico Books and More Store at Albuquerque’s Cottonwood Mall. This is the second year the New Mexico Book Co-op has operated the store that features the best of New Mexico’s writers. Authors will be signing books from Thanksgiving to Christmas during mall hours. If you can’t make it, check out their e-book store at www.nmbookcoop.com Save some of your Christmas shopping for December 17 when the Main Branch of the Santa Fe Public Library will host an exhibit and sale of the work of the children and grandchildren of the members of the Native American Arts Program. This is your chance to discover that next great artist. Las Cruces will offer a shopping event for those who truly put things off till the last minute. On Christmas Eve morning, there will be a farmers and crafters market at the Downtown Mall. Taos Ski Area offers Torchlight Parades on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Skiers carrying torches will ski down the mountain and the New Year’s event will be followed with fireworks. There are several events at the Santa Fe Museums. Most are free with museum entrance fee so start with the annual holiday open house at the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe on December 9. December 11 is the Winter Feast at the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. The Museum of Fine Arts will hold an Open House on December 18, featuring Gustave Baumann’s Marionettes. And you can celebrate the Winter Solstice on December 18 as well with a Community Labyrinth Walk at the Museum of International Folk Art. Remember those who celebrate Chanukah and Kwanzaa. The annual Chanukah Festival will be held on December 11 at Albuquerque’s Jewish Community Center. Kwanza activities in your area can be found in your local newspaper. Learning about other cultures and beliefs is always worthwhile. Native American dances will be held at various pueblos around the state. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque has a calendar on their web site at www.indianpueblo.org. Remember, many of these dances are religious in nature and rules for photography and participation are strict. “Candy Cane Lane” is now lost to us but our generation of Carlsbad kids will always remember and wish for that holiday magic. This holiday season, my siblings will be scattered again, with Jim in Baghdad, serving his country, Shannon in Florida, Eileen in Carlsbad, and I will be here in Albuquerque. No matter where we are, we hold the memories of Christmas lights on “ Candy Cane Lane” and our hearts will be together remembering. We wish you and yours wonderful memories of your own.
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Sabra Brown Steinsiek is a regular contributor to New Mexico WOMAN and author of the prize-winning novel, ‘ Til The End Of Time . She can be reached through her web site,