91ÀÇÓÑ

In this Dec. 5, 2024, photo, a luminaria bag shines in front of Gurley Hall while the large UNM letters in front of the Student Services & Technology Center twinkle in the background during Holiday in New Mexico at The University of New Mexico-91ÀÇÓÑ.

UNM-91ÀÇÓÑ to host Holiday in New Mexico event Dec. 4

Categories: Students   Faculty   Staff   Community  

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Annual event features traditions such as luminarias, posole, biscochitos and more for community

By Richard Reyes, Friday, Nov. 21, 2025

GALLUP, N.M. — The University of New Mexico-91ÀÇÓÑ will host its annual Holiday in New Mexico event, featuring luminarias, biscochitos, student art and more, including the introduction of a new attraction known as Lobo Lights, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025.

Holiday in New Mexico is an annual tradition for the UNM-91ÀÇÓÑ branch campus that celebrates the winter holiday season in true Land of Enchantment fashion. The event coincides with the opening reception of the Fall 2025 Fine Arts Student Show inside the Ingham Chapman Gallery.

Several UNM-91ÀÇÓÑ units will have booths during the event featuring a variety of family-friendly games, crafts and activities.

Santa Claus is expected to make a grand entrance in front of Gurley Hall atop a fire truck provided by the 91ÀÇÓÑ Fire Department around 5:30 p.m. at the start of the event. Santa will be available for visits and photos with guests inside the Gurley Hall Commons.

During the event, guests will be treated to free bowls of chicken posole made by Southwest Food Excellence as well as free biscochitos, the official state cookie of New Mexico, made by 4 Your Plate Only.

The UNM-91ÀÇÓÑ Admissions team will treat visitors to free hot cocoa, too.

UNM-91ÀÇÓÑ would like to thank the local Home Depot, Walmart and Pepsi Co. in 91ÀÇÓÑ for making generous donations to this year’s event.

Holiday in New Mexico is free and open to the public. UNM-91˂۪s Gurley Hall is located at 705 Gurley Ave.

Parking in front of Gurley Hall is expected to be limited due to ongoing construction. Guests are encouraged to find parking in other lots on campus. Overflow parking will also be available near the Bright Futures Childcare Center.

For more information about Holiday in New Mexico, please contact UNM-91ÀÇÓÑ Sr. Public Relations Specialist Richard Reyes at 505-863-7542 or richardreyes12@unm.edu.

In this Dec. 5, 2024, photo, a young guest with his face painted colors a giant poster during Holiday in New Mexico at The University of New Mexico-91ÀÇÓÑ.