Lights of Gisewa

 Celebrate New Mexico Traditions during Jemez Historic Site’s annual holiday event, Lights of Gisewa in Jemez Springs, Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The remains of Gisewa Pueblo and San José de los Jemez Mission will be decorated with hundreds of farolitos illuminating the site and creating a beautiful path for visitors to stroll along while also enjoying music and dance performances.

The evening’s program will include solo Native contemporary music by Adrian Wall from Jemez Pueblo, and Fred Vigil also from Jemez Pueblo. The Northern Southern Pueblo Dancers from Jemez Pueblo and Ohkay Owingeh, as well as the Jemez Valley High School dance group will be performing between two illuminating bonfires. The Historic Site will also host arts, crafts, and food vendors, many from nearby Pueblos.

“This event gives the public an opportunity to see Jemez Historic Site under the beautiful winter night sky,” said Marlon Magdalena (Jemez Pueblo), Instructional Coordinator Supervisor at the site.

This annual event is one of New Mexico Historic Sites’ (NMHS) most beloved holiday activities, with hundreds of people visiting for this special tradition. Tickets are $20 per adult and $10 per child and are sold online at timed entry segments to help manage visitation during this busy event. Tickets for Friday night can be purchased at https://my.nmculture.org/32485/41935 and tickets for Saturday night can be purchased at https://my.nmculture.org/32485/41936. Admission is free to Museum of New Mexico Foundation members, Friends of Coronado and Jemez members, Native/Tribal affiliations, disabled veterans, and foster families.

To maintain the safety and enjoyment of this highly attended event, NMHS kindly requests that guests refrain from the use of tripods and flash photography. Additionally, while the site generally welcomes well-behaved pets on leashes, for the safety of animals and guests, pets are not allowed at this event. Service animals are welcome.

About Jemez Historic Site

Jemez Historic Site includes the stone remnants of the 700-year-old Gisewa village, which was built in the narrow San Diego Canyon by the ancestors of the present-day people of Jemez Pueblo (Walatowa). The name Gisewa refers to the natural hot springs in the area. The site also includes the ruins of the San José de los Jémez Church, a Spanish-built Catholic mission dating back to 1621-22. The mission was short-lived, and, in time, the people left the site and moved to the current location of Jemez Pueblo. The museum contains exhibitions that tell the story of the site through the words of the Jemez people, and a 1,400-foot interpretive trail winds through the outdoor ruins. Learn more at nmhistoricsites.org/jemez.

This event is from the MNMF Event's Calendar.