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HOLIDAYS

Lights of Gisewa: Photos

Farolitos light San José de los Jémez Mission and Gisewa Pueblo site

Farolitos light the path inside the church and along the altar steps of the San José de los Jémez Mission at the Gisewa Pueblo site during the Jemez Springs Historic Site’s annual 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Dancers with the Lightening Eagle dance group perform the Buffalo Dance outside the San José de los Jémez Mission at the Gisewa Pueblo site during the Jemez Springs Historic Site’s annual 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Mateya Magdalena, 11, lights farolitos inside the church and along the altar steps of the San José de los Jémez Mission at the Gisewa Pueblo site during the Jemez Springs Historic Site’s annual 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
People view the farolitos of the San José de los Jémez Mission at the Gisewa Pueblo site during the Jemez Springs Historic Site’s annual 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Peter Madalena lights candles for the Farolitos inside the church and along the altar steps of the San José de los Jémez Mission at the Gisewa Pueblo site during the Jemez Springs Historic Site’s annual 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Casey Coty lights farolitos along the stonewall ruins of the San José de los Jémez Mission at the Gisewa Pueblo site during the Jemez Springs Historic Site’s annual 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Dancers perform outside the San José de los Jémez Mission at the Gisewa Pueblo site during the Jemez Springs Historic Site’s annual 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Farolitos light the remains of the San José de los Jémez Mission and Gisewa Pueblo during the Jemez Historic Site’s annual Lights of Gisewa holiday event on Saturday.
A bonfire burns outside the remains of the San José de los Jémez Mission and Gisewa Pueblo during the Jemez Historic Site’s annual Lights of Gisewa holiday event on Saturday.
Farolitos light the path inside the church and along the altar steps of the San José de los Jémez Mission at the Gisewa Pueblo site during the Jemez Springs Historic Site’s annual 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Casey Coty lights farolitos along the stonewall ruins of the San José de los Jémez Mission at the Gisewa Pueblo site during the Jemez Springs Historic Site’s annual 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Farolitos light illuminate the San José de los Jémez Mission at the Gisewa Pueblo site during the Jemez Springs Historic Site’s annual 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Farolitos light the path inside the church and along the altar steps of the San José de los Jémez Mission at the Gisewa Pueblo site during the Jemez Springs Historic Site’s annual 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs, N.M., on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025.
Chancey Bush
Chancey Bush Journal Staff Photographer
Published Modified

Hundreds of farolitos cast a warm orange glow over the remains of the ancient stone walls of the San José de los Jémez Mission and Gisewa Pueblo site, while stars shimmered above, echoing the stories held in the earth below.

The steady rhythm of drums filled the night as dancers circled the bonfires, their movements weaving new memories into the old soil. The 'Lights of Gisewa' holiday event in Jemez Springs is a cherished Northern New Mexico tradition. 

Each year, the holiday event draws large crowds, inviting people to celebrate, honor, and remember the ancestors of today’s Jemez Pueblo (Walatowa) community.

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