If you’re into festivals and want to explore all they have to offer, October and November are great times to load up your RV and take a trip. If skiing and other winter sports are more your speed, December has the highest average snowfall for the year, so pack up your skis and go. And if hiking and other outdoor activities are your favorite pastimes, the end of summer and beginning of fall in August and September are the best times to go.
Keep reading for a quick month-to-month breakdown of the weather and events you can expect on your next trip to Santa Fe.
Weather and Events by Month
January is typically Santa Fe’s second coldest month, with the average low being 17°F and the average high being 44°F. If you’re into winter sports, the leftover snowfall provides plenty of opportunities in the nearby mountains.
Native American Pueblo dances take place on New Year’s Day to mark the Transfer of the Canes, or the passing of leadership from one governor to the next.
February is still winter, but expect temperatures to be slightly warmer. The average low is 22°F and the average high is 48°F. This is also typically the driest month of the year with very little rain and snowfall.
February is typically slower for events, but Santa Fe Restaurant Week provides a great opportunity to explore local cuisine!
March signals the beginning of spring. Average lows are 26°F and average highs are 56°F.
This is the final month for Santa Fe’s ski season, so get in before it’s gone!
April typically sees a big jump in average temperatures, so you can expect to start dressing for spring more regularly. Average lows are about 32°F and average highs are about 65°F.
This month, Santa Fe’s Pro Musica Baroque Ensemble presents performances in honor of Holy Week in the historic Loretto Chapel. Check out the mysterious Loretto staircase while you’re there!
May is definitely sweater weather, which makes it the perfect time for outdoor activities. Lows average about 41°F and highs average 74°F.
This is a great month for cyclists as they hit the road for the Santa Fe Century ride.
June usually sees a big warm up and marks the beginning of summer. Average lows are 49°F and highs are 83°F.
Santa Fe’s art scene takes a contemporary turn with the Currents New Mexico Festival. You can also check out the Rodeo de Santa Fe, a city tradition since 1949, and the Santa Fe Bandstand, the city’s favorite summer concert series.
July is the warmest and wettest month for Santa Fe with an average rainfall of about 2 inches. The average low temperature is 54°F and the average high temperature is 86°F.
The Santa Fe Opera raises the curtain on its six-week summer season, and the world comes to Santa Fe during the International Folk Art Market, the world’s largest art market. Spanish Market Weekend also takes over downtown.
August continues the summer trends, but temperatures are slightly cooler. The average low is around 53°F and the average high is around 83°F.
The city’s most popular event, Santa Fe Indian Market, takes place on the third weekend of August.
September sees the weather start to cool down again, so expect lows to be around 47°F and highs to be around 78°F. If you’re a fan of outdoor activities, this is a great month to get out and explore!
The Burning of Zozobra falls on Labor Day Weekend. Santa Fe artists created this tradition, which involves burning a 40-foot-tall marionette in effigy, more than 90 years ago.
You can also catch Fiesta de Santa Fe, the longest continuously running celebration in the U.S. The nine-day celebration includes parades, mariachi extravaganzas, processions, and other events. It kicks off Labor Day weekend after the Burning of Zozobra.
October marks the arrival of fall, but it isn’t unusual for Santa Fe to get some snowfall. Accumulation is usually less than an inch. Low temperatures don’t tend to drop below 35°F.
Check out the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival while you’re visiting!
November sees temperatures continue to drop and winter activities go into full swing. Expect lows around 25°F and highs around 53°F.
The opening is weather dependent, but November typically sees the kickoff of Ski Santa Fe over Thanksgiving weekend.
December is the coldest month of the year. You can expect temperatures to range from 17°F to 43°F. If you’re into skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities, December is the best time to visit!
Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging and the birth of Jesus, processes through the plaza and ends at the New Mexico Museum of History mid-December. The eight northern Pueblos around Santa Fe mark the holidays with traditional dances on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
There’s Never a Bad Time to Visit Santa Fe
Santa Fe has something for everyone, no matter the time of year. So, load up your RV and camping equipment, and we’ll see you there!