The festive season sets New Mexico aglow with warm, twinkling lights, but it's long been hotly argued whether these beloved holiday decorations are a “luminaria” or a “farolito.” According to a 1590 journal entry by colonist Gaspar Costaño de Sosa, these glowing little paper bags that light up the holiday nights have divided the north and south of New Mexico. While “luminaria” means “light” and “farolito” translates to “little lantern”, this term is contested today, pitting Northern New Mexico against Southern New Mexico for more than 425 years.

No matter which side of the debate you're on, New Mexico offers unforgettable ways to experience these holiday lights that line streets and rooftops:

Northern New Mexico

• Canyon Road Farolito Walk: On Christmas Eve, the Canyon Road Farolito Walk on transforms the cozy historic street into a glowing display of farolitos. Visitors and locals together enjoy live music along with festive treats like hot chocolate and biscochitos (a traditional New Mexican butter cookie flavored with anise and cinnamon) as they pop in and out of dozens of art galleries during this charming holiday tradition.
• Bonfires on Bent Street: The heart and center of the Taos Historic District, Bent Street is a boutique-lined pedestrian zone that illuminates with the glow of farolitos and the warmth of bonfires for one weekend each December (dates are TBA). Graciously hosted by local merchants, this celebration includes caroling, complimentary hot food and drinks from local eateries, and shopping under the starlit sky.
• Lighting Ledoux: Join the Harwood Museum of Art and the Ledoux Street community in Taos for the annual Lighting Ledoux celebration. The festivities include bonfires, farolitos, festive crafting, an open-air local artisan market, and free museum admission to kick off the holiday season.
• Lights of Gisewa: For a few days each December, farolitos set aglow the 17th-century Spanish colonial mission church, San José de los Jémez, adjacent to the remains of 700-year-old Gisewa Pueblo. Guests enjoy fireside traditional and contemporary Puebloan dance, Native American flute music, and arts, crafts, and food from Jemez Pueblo vendors. Jemez is in a narrow mountain valley about an hour's drive from Albuquerque.

 Central & Southern New Mexico

• Elephant Butte Luminaria Beachwalk & Floating Lights Parade: At Elephant Butte Lake, the Luminaria Beachwalk features 3,000 luminarias reflecting off the water. Visitors meander through community campsites to see boats adorned with holiday lights as they glide across the water while sipping warming posole or hot chocolate. 
• Old Town Luminaria Tour: Albuquerque's Old Town glimmers with thousands of luminarias lining the historic plaza and neighborhood streets, illuminating rooftops, walkways, and gardens. Visitors can enjoy a drive or stroll to take in this classic Albuquerque holiday tradition
• Riverglo: In Farmington, the holiday spirit lights up the Animas River. Trails are lined with luminarias, while carolers sing and a live nativity scene brings the story of Christmas to like along the riverbanks.

These events capture the magic of New Mexico's famed holiday lights and offer a uniquely rich cultural experience for visitors.