Trick-or-Treat on MainStreet. Photo Courtesy MainStreet

Fall in Los Alamos is filled with fun! Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District is welcoming the season with a vibrant slate of events celebrating local arts, culture, agricultural traditions, and festive family activities.

Month of Arts & Humanities

Los Alamos County Council proclaimed October as Arts and Humanities Month during its regular meeting Sept. 29, aligning with a tradition established in 1993 by the National Endowment of the Arts to encourage Americans to explore new facets of the arts and foster a lifelong habit of participation. In Los Alamos, this kicked off this past weekend with the 2nd Annual Pajarito Literary Festival (Oct. 2–4), presented by the Los Alamos Arts Council and Samizdat Bookstore & Teahouse. 

Other highlights of the month include: 

• Los Alamos Arts Council Fall Arts & Crafts Fair (Oct. 10): Browse unique handmade goods, fine art, and early holiday gifts from local and regional artisans.
• Every Wednesday in October you’ll find the Wednesday Evening Farmers Market in White Rock: From 4-7 p.m. Enjoy seasonal local produce, delicious food vendors, and community connections during special Wednesday evening markets at The Rock, 191 Highway 4, White Rock, NM.
• Downtown Scarecrow Contest (Oct. 10–31): Stroll along Central Avenue to admire creative, themed scarecrow displays installed by local businesses and organizations.
• Harvest Festival at Los Alamos Co+op Market (Oct. 10): A seasonal celebration featuring pumpkin painting, artisan vendors, and local food offerings.
• Big Band Dance (Oct. 16): The Los Alamos Big Band is a 16-instrument 1940s Glenn Miller-style swing band. The band features the danceable music of the Big Band Era to rock the dance floor of Fuller Lodge (7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.).
• Wonder on Wheels: Art of Democracy in New Mexico (Oct. 17): The Wonders on Wheels Mobile Museum brings an engaging, all-ages traveling exhibit to New Mexico, exploring the ways art and creativity connect with American history and civic life. The trailer will be in Central Park Square near Wolf and Mermaid from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm).
• Pumpkin Splash & Pumpkin Glow (Oct. 24): Dive into fun at the Los Alamos County Aquatic Center’s Pumpkin Splash (9–11:30 a.m.), then head to the Fuller Lodge Lawn for the Los Alamos Arts Council’s Annual Pumpkin Glow and Contest, featuring lit carved pumpkins from dusk to 9 p.m. (Toddler Time starts at 5 p.m.).

Additional arts and cultural programming throughout the month can be found at LosAlamosMainStreet.com/art-and-culture.

Los Alamos Halloweekend & Trick-or-Treat on MainStreet

The autumn season culminates in the widely anticipated Los Alamos Halloweekend, running from Friday, Oct. 30 through Sunday, Nov. 1.

The flagship event, Trick-or-Treat on MainStreet, takes place on Friday, Oct. 30, from 4-6 p.m. Central Avenue in downtown Los Alamos will close to vehicle traffic, creating a safe, pedestrian-only haven where thousands of costumed trick-or-treaters can visit more than 75 booths operated by local businesses, non-profits, and community groups.

In addition to candy stops, attendees can enjoy live dance performances, local musical acts, and an array of food trucks. High-tech Halloween activities at the Bradbury Science Museum and interactive stops at downtown storefronts will round out the festivities.

Free registration for local businesses, non-profits, and performers wishing to host a booth or perform during Trick-or-Treat on MainStreet is available at LosAlamosMainStreet.com.

More Halloweekend Highlights:

• Family Strengths Network Fall Party (Oct. 30 & 31): Outdoor games, trick-or-treating, and a costume runway (10 a.m.–12 p.m.).
• Spooktacular Family Fun at Natural Grocers (Oct. 31): Crafts, treasure hunts, and treats (11 a.m.–1 p.m.).
• Teens Haunted Trail (Oct. 31): A spooky, teen-led outdoor trail hosted at Pueblo Canyon Inn from 7-9 p.m.

Keep an eye out for more local activities and schedule updates posted by our community partners throughout October at LosAlamosMainStreet.com/halloweekend and VisitLosAlamos.org/Events, or follow Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District on Facebook.

About Los Alamos MainStreet and Creative District:

As an award-winning district in the state of New Mexico, Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District (LAMSCD) focuses on the town’s connections to a multi-layered history and cutting-edge science by facilitating community events, entrepreneurial programs and support for the local business community that contributes to the vitality of its two designated districts: one in downtown Los Alamos and one in the commercial area of White Rock. It also oversees MainStreet MarketPlace, a coworking and business development hub, and the Los Alamos Farmers’ Market. Visit LosAlamosMainStreet.com for more information.

Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District is a program of Los Alamos Commerce & Development Corporation (LACDC), a private, not-for-profit economic and community development organization. LACDC serves as the umbrella organization for Los Alamos MainStreet & Creative District, Los Alamos Chamber of Commerce, Discover Los Alamos, Los Alamos Small Business Center, MainStreet MarketPlace, and Los Alamos Research Park.