Let there be light: Old Town Holiday Stroll to kick off with annual lighting of tree on Plaza Don Luis

Bundle up the family and head to the Old Town Holiday Stroll for a spectacular tree lighting ceremony, festive entertainment and shopping at more than 80 local businesses.

The traditional celebration will be held from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Local musicians and dance groups will perform on the Old Town Plaza gazebo, 200 N. Plaza St. NW, and in Plaza Don Luis, 303 Romero St. NW.

“Plaza Vieja will be decorated with holiday decor that can be enjoyed while local performers entertain in the Gazebo,” said Bree Ortiz, community events manager for the city of Albuquerque. “Families can visit their favorite Old Town shops and restaurants, or discover new places while they are holiday shopping.”

The tree lighting ceremony starts at 6 p.m. and ends with a countdown to a cheerfully bright display in Plaza Don Luis. The 30-foot sequoia replica made its debut last year. Previously, the tree was made from between 100 and 200 cut trees that were fitted into the sleeves of a 55-foot steel structure, which was lit, from 1994 to 2021. The tree had been a gift to the city by Henry Aceves, a longtime Old Town merchant who died in 2017.

Cross family and friends off your gift list by shopping at Old Town stores that will keep their doors open later than usual for the event. Grab a bite to eat and something to drink at a plethora of eateries and bars including The Craft Kitchen and The Taproom at Old Town, 524 Romero St. NW; Church Street Cafe, 2111 Church St. NW; High Noon Restaurant and Saloon, 425 San Felipe St. NW; Outpost 1706 Brewhouse, 301 Romero St. NW, Suite 205; Gobble This, 308 San Felipe St. NW; and more.

The Knights of Columbus will be selling posole and green chile stew in the San Felipe de Neri Church patio, 2005 N. Plaza St. NW. They will be accepting cash only.

Nearby museums including the Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Road NW, and New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, 1801 Mountain Road NW, also will take part in the festivities and will offer free admission from 5 to 9 p.m. with specials and entertainment. Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum of Albuquerque, 1701 Mountain Road NW, will celebrate 20 years of operation with mini luminarias, hot cocoa and biscochitos.

“All three area museums will be open for free for the event with activities and entertainment,” Ortiz said. “The celebrations will continue throughout the month with decorations, entertainment, and shopping specials.”

Avoid parking headaches by taking a shuttle to the event. Attendees are encouraged to park at the lot located at the corner of 18th Street and Bellamah Avenue NW in the Sawmill District. Shuttles, provided by Airport Parking, will take eventgoers from the lot to the Albuquerque Museum lot near Old Town.

For more information, visit cabq.gov/artsculture/events.