Dec 10, 2024

ADVISORY: Reminder - First Annual Luminito Celebration 20-foot-tall Luminaria/Farolito at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on Dec. 12

Hi Everyone,

Whether you call them ‘farolitos’ or ‘luminarias,’ come celebrate New Mexico’s distinctive holiday lights at the National Hispanic Cultural Center! On Dec. 12, the Center is hosting its 1st Annual Luminito Celebration, featuring Matachine dancers, refreshments, and, of course, a 20-foot-tall ‘Luminito’ on the Plaza Mayor!

What: First Annual Luminito Celebration. Join us for a holiday celebration illuminated by the world’s tallest ‘Luminito,’ a 20-foot-tall, steel-reinforced structure inspired by New Mexico’s traditional holiday lights. The Luminito will be lit up during the event, spreading holiday cheer throughout the Center’s 20-acre campus.

Throughout the evening, the event will be further illuminated with festive lights and images projected onto some of the Center’s iconic buildings, offering a modern twist on traditional holiday lights. These projected lights will remain at the Center during evenings throughout the holiday season. The event will also feature performances by Matachine dancers, holiday refreshments, food trucks, and a flashlight storywalk featuring Rudolfo Anaya’s beloved children’s book, The Farolitos of Christmas: A New Mexico Christmas Story .

This is a free event, please register in advance at nhccnm.org/events . As this is an outdoor holiday event, please dress warmly and bring flashlights to participate in the storywalk. This celebration is part of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs’ New Mexico Traditions program.

Where: The National Hispanic Cultural Center Plaza Mayor, located at 1701 4th Street SW.

When: 7:00 to 8:15 pm on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Why: Whether you call New Mexico’s iconic holiday lights ‘farolitos,’ as is customary in the northern half of the state, or ‘luminarias,’ more common in the south, the NHCC’s 1st Annual Luminito Celebration offers a unique way to get into the holiday spirit!

Thanks, Stephen

Stephen Hamway stephen.hamway@dca.nm.gov (505) 412-3758

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