It seems as if there is usually something going on in Silver City or the surrounding area – whatever the time of year. Of course, there are major events, but there are also events for people interested in art, music, poetry, and most anything else.

4th of July Parade and the Lighted Christmas Parade

The two annual parades are wonderful if you are into having a small town experience. You will feel you've stepped back in time and that you're a kid again (or maybe you are a kid) when you sit on the curb with several thousand others, including lots of little ones, and watch either the Lighted Christmas Parade, or the 4th of July Parade. It's hard to pick one; they're both so much fun. It's usually cold for the Christmas parade, which is held at dusk on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Santa is introduced for the first time of the season, and some of the home-crafted lighted floats are really creative & wonderful. But the camaraderie is the best! If you've been in Silver City for more than a month, you'll see people you know. The 4th of July Parade is also great, & is enhanced by food booths in Gough Park, as well as vendor booths. Don't miss either of these, at least once!

Weekend at the Galleries

In October, the “Weekend at the Galleries” event draws people from everywhere. You might even meet an art critic from a national art magazine! The galleries are all open & full of locals & visitors, including many artists from the area. Yankie Street, with its numerous art galleries is sort of the hub for the event, but the whole town will be filled with art patrons. This is a very festive event! 

The Silver City Blues Festival

The Blues Festival, held every Memorial Day weekend, is fabulous fun. Not only are there top name musicians performing at the actual event, but musicians are also performing at most of the area clubs & watering holes. The first year I was here, I didn't attend because I thought it would be so crowed, and there are lots of people, but the way the event is presented, it is not a stressful weekend & you can get close enough to comfortably hear the music being offered.

Tour of the Gila Bicycle Races

The Tour of the Gila Race is one of the absolute features of the spring! This world-class bicycle race is so much fun to watch. The races are held in different areas each day, but on one day during the race, the bikers race in Silver City & their speed & enthusiasm are contagious. Silver is filled with racers, racing teams & fans & you'll meet people from all over the world.

So Many Festivals and Events...

If you think you'll be bored in this small town, you might be wrong.  Sure, we have a few quaint, sleepy weekend.  But more often than not, downtown is hopping.  Here are some events we count on for our fun each year:

During the summer, from May 10-Oct. 25, the Silver City Farmer's Market is open in historic downtown, & in 2008, an artists market also opened on Saturdays downtown. There are often street dances downtown in the summer, as well. And, shopping and gallery browsing are always possibilities downtown, with a wonderful variety of small shops & galleries. Check out the Silver City Main Street Project website for additional information.

There are numerous other events & things to do, including the Red Paint PowWow, Chocolate Fantasia, the Pinos Altos Art Fair, the Hummingbird Festival, the Gem & Mineral Show, the Gila River Festival, a Children's Festival, the San Vicente Art Fair, Taste of Silver City, Silver City Film Festival, Mimbres Valley Harvest Festival, and many others.

In addition, numerous musical & cultural events are brought to Silver City by the Mimbres Regional Arts Council (MRAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching the cultural life of Southwestern New Mexico by providing quality programs that nurture and inspire a love & understanding of the arts. MRAC is affiliated with the National Endowment for the Arts, New Mexico Arts, and the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. So, if you're concerned about a drought of cultural events, you'll find the opposite in amazing Silver City!

If you're a cowboy, or cowgirl, Silver City has its own rodeo each summer, the “Wild West Rodeo” at the rodeo grounds. If you don't already have a solid feeling that you've come to the REAL WEST, you'll get it at the rodeo.

For a town the size of Silver City, it's amazing how many events are offered, & because the town is small, the biggest hassle is usually having to walk a few blocks from the place you park (often in perfect weather).