Pecos, NM:– Join us this December for a two-night holiday event at Pecos National Historical Park. Together with the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park, St. Anthony’s Parish, and Western National Parks Association, the park will offer a Farolito Walk on Monday, December 16th and Las Posadas festivities on Tuesday, December 17th. Both events are free.
Farolito Walk
Monday, December 16th
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
This laid-back evening will offer visitors the opportunity to leisurely take in the magic and ambiance of more than 3500 farolitos. Enjoy the peace and quiet of a winter’s evening as you follow the illuminated 1-mile trail to the Spanish Mission Church and pueblo. Start your visit at the event tent that will be located outside the E.E. Fogelson Visitor Center. There you will find refreshments, warming stations, and the trailhead.
Las Posadas
Tuesday, December 17th
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
This evening offers a more traditional Las Posadas experience. Horse-drawn wagon rides will begin at 5:15 p.m. The procession will begin at the remnants of the 18th century church and convento at 6:00 p.m. and wind down the trail to the visitor center with the group singing traditional hymns and holiday songs in both English and Spanish. More than 3,500 farolitos will illuminate the trail. Free hot beverages and biscochitos will be served at the event tent.
In Spanish, las posadas means “inns” or “shelters,” and represents the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and their search for shelter. St. Anthony’s Parish in Pecos carries on this northern New Mexico tradition every December. Pecos National Historical Park will be just one stop during this novena, or nine-day event.
Please note, these events are almost entirely outdoors; appropriate winter clothing and flashlights are highly recommended.
The Western National Parks Association bookstore, which is located inside the Visitor Center will be open both evenings until 8:00 p.m. The bookstore, which will be offering a holiday sale during both events, features arts and crafts from local artists, a large selection of books, and a new line of educational earth science games.
For more information, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco.
Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park 