Mariachi, posadas and ‘Holiday Pops’: 7 events this week

’Twas the week leading to Christmas, and all through this land, fun events are happening, so let’s make a plan.

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

Feliz Navidad

Celebrate a Mariachi Christmas at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, featuring Mariachi Mexico Mestizo and Ballet Folkorico University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley. Tickets are $8-$22 at nmt.edu/pas or at the door, and free for New Mexico Tech students with ID. Before the concert at 5:30 p.m., enjoy the Venta de Navidad market, featuring arts and crafts, traditional posole, biscochitos and more. The Macey Center is located at 801 Leroy Place in Socorro.

Pop on over

The New Mexico Philharmonic is getting into the spirit of the season with “Holiday Pops” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, featuring choirs and choruses from Manzano Day School, Bosque School, V. Sue Cleveland High School and Moriarty High School, along with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony. Tickets start at $41 at unmtickets.evenue.net. Popejoy Hall is located on the University of New Mexico campus.

Stars above

The Albuquerque Astronomical Society is hosting a Star Party at the Valle de Oro Visitor Center from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19. In addition to the Fab Fifty Winter Session, sky viewing and constellation tour, the event will feature a luminaria display. Friends of the Valle de Oro will be on hand with warming refreshments. TAAS asks that participants dress warmly and only use red lights in the observing area. The Valle de Oro Visitor Center is located at 7851 Second St. SW.

‘Eight Sites, One History’

The Wonders on Wheels Mobile Museum is making a stop at Big Jim Farms, bringing you the touring exhibit “Eight Sites, One History: Explore the Past at New Mexico Historic Sites” from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. The exhibits bring stories from each of the state’s eight historic sites, along with hands-on learning activities and take-home projects. Big Jim Farms is located at 3521 Rio Grande Blvd. NW.

Celebrating the solstice

The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture is celebrating the winter solstice from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21. The event starts with the sunrise and will include bird watching, storytelling, a guided tour of “Makowa: The Worlds Above Us” and more. Tickets are $7-$12 at my.nmculture.org, with children 16 and younger free. MIAC is located at 710 Camino Lejo in Santa Fe.

Nature walk

The Open Space Visitor Center is hosting “Family Nature Club: All About Adaptations” an all ages event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 20. Learn how different residents of our cottonwood forests survive and thrive through unique physical and behavioral traits. The one-mile hike is free, but registration is required at play.cabq.gov (Open Space/Public Programs/Family Programs/Family Nature Club). The Open Space Visitor Center is located at 6500 Coors Blvd. NW.

By candlelight

The Gutiérrez-Hubbell House Museum is hosting “Candlelight Night at the Hubbell House” from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. Enjoy posole, holiday music, winter crafts and more. The museum’s “Historic Toys” exhibit will be open. The Gutiérrez-Hubbell House Museum is located at 6029 Isleta Blvd. SW. The event is free.