Never a dull moment

All year long, Santa Fe offers a packed calendar of interesting, stimulating and sometimes downright weird events.

From Indian Market -- the largest American Indian art sale and show in the world -- to the yearly burning of Zozobra (Old Man Gloom) during Fiesta, the list of events keeps getting longer and fans keep getting more enthusiastic about the big-city cultural, art and fun scene in this small-town setting.

So plan ahead and snag tickets, when necessary, to be part of the action.

Friday night art openings

A hallowed tradition takes place every Friday evening (usually from 5 to 7 p.m.), when local art galleries host openings to showcase particular collections. Hobnob with the movers and shakers of Santa Fe's art world and meet contemporary artists, collectors and art lovers.

Check Pasatiempo every Friday in The New Mexican for a list of gallery openings.

Winter Spanish Market

Sweeney Convention Center,

201 W. Marcy St.

Takes place Dec. 4-5, 2004

www.spanish

http://colonial.org; 982-2226

Farolito walk on Canyon Road

Each Christmas Eve, hundreds of residents and visitors celebrate the holiday with a stroll along Canyon Road, which is illuminated by thousands of farolitos (burning candles placed in paper bags) and dozens of luminarias (small bonfires). Dress warmly and plan to sing Christmas carols, spread holiday cheer and enjoy hot chocolate and bizcochitos served by gallery owners and Canyon Road residents.

Rodeo de Santa Fe

Santa Fe Rodeo Grounds, Richards Avenue and Rodeo Road. Dates for the 56th annual Rodeo de Santa Fe have not been set, but it's likely to be around the fourth week in June, 2005.

http://www.rodeodesantafe.com; 471-4300

Pancakes on the Plaza

July 4, 2005

Pancakes, entertainment and children's activities. A fund raiser for United Way of Santa Fe. Call 982-2002

International Folk Art Market

Milner Plaza on Museum Hill

July 9-10, 2005

www.folkart

http://market.org; 476-1203

Art Santa Fe 2005

Sweeney Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St. July 14-17 2005. This event takes place biennially. 988-8883; http://www.artsantafe.net

Traditional Spanish Market

Santa Fe Plaza

The 54rd annual market takes place July 30-31, 2005

http://www.spanishcolonial.org; 982-2226

Contemporary Spanish Market takes place at the same time.

Mountain Men and Women Rendezvous Trade Fair

Courtyard at the Palace of The Governors, on the Plaza

This event takes place second week in August, 2005; 476-5094.

Indian Market

Santa Fe Plaza and surrounding streets

The 84th market takes place Aug. 21-22, 2005. http://www.swaia.org; 983-5220.

Fiesta de Santa Fe

Santa Fe Plaza and surrounding area

The 293rd Fiesta takes place Sept. 8-11, 2005

http://www.santafefiesta.org

http://www.zozobra.com

Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta

Restaurants, hotels and cooking schools

Takes place Sept. 21-25, 2005

http://www.santafewineandchile.org; 438-8060

For other special or one-time events, go to the Web and dial up http://www.santafe.org and http://www.santafenewmexican.com. v