Holiday fairs, furry friends and final frontiers: 7 events for this weekend

The day after Thanksgiving kicks-off what some might consider the Super Bowl of shopping, Black Friday. But for those wanting to find a more personal gift, New Mexico has plenty of local markets, fairs, festivals and furry friends holding events this weekend.

Got an event we should know about? Reach out to features@abqjournal.com.

1Finding the Pathways

The Poeh Cultural Center is bringing its Pathways Winter Market to Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 26. Admission to the market is free, and features the works of over 200 Indigenous artists. In addition to the shopping, visitors can enjoy live entertainment, including traditional Pueblo dance groups. Buffalo Thunder is located at 30 Buffalo Thunder Trail in Santa Fe.

2Holiday gathering

The Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Holiday Festival is coming to Expo New Mexico from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, and Saturday, Nov. 25, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26. Admission runs $10-$15, plus fees, at riograndefestivals.com/holiday-show. Children 12 and under free; for seniors 65+ and military there is $9 admission at the door with ID. Expo New Mexico is located at 300 San Pedro Drive, and the festival will be held in the Manuel Lujan Exhibit Complex.

3Have a wildlife time

Wildlife Rescue Inc. of New Mexico is hosting a holiday fair on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free but parking is $3 per vehicle. There will be children’s activities, face painting, shopping and more. The group will also have its raptors at the fair, giving eventgoers a chance to see the birds up close. The event will be at the Rio Grande Nature Center, 2901 Candelaria Road NW.

4Boldly go

Ettin Games ABQ and members of the USS White Sands, the Albuquerque area chapter of “Star Trek’s” Starfleet, will be collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots through Dec. 1. USS White Sands members will be at Ettin Games, 8510 Montgomery Blvd. NE, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 26, in costume for pictures.

Holiday fairs, furry friends and final frontiers: 7 events for this weekend

5Artisans assemble

The New Mexico Artisan Market is coming to Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, 800 Rio Grande Blvd. NW. The market features over 100 New Mexico artists and runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26. Tickets are $15, plus fees, at nmartisanmarket.com, with children 13 and under free.

6Black Fur-day?

The Animal Welfare Department is having a Black Friday event, waiving adoption fees at Lucky Paws Adoption Center, 6600 Menaul Blvd. NE from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24. Then, Black Friday Adoption expands to include all shelter locations on Saturday, Nov. 25, and Sunday, Nov. 26. The Eastside Shelter, 8920 Lomas Blvd. NE, and the Westside Shelter, 11800 Sunset Gardens Road SW, will be open those days from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with Lucky Paws open from noon to 5:30 p.m. Visit cabq.gov/events for more info.

7A merry time

The Merry Maker Market is coming to the FUSE Makerspace from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Shop from over 20 local vendors, tour the Makerspace, and make a button to take home. FUSE Makerspace is located at 101 Broadway Blvd. NE, Suite 3100.