Summer in Las Vegas, New Mexico means one thing above all else: Fiestas. This year marks the 138th Annual Fiestas de Las Vegas, running from Sunday, June 28 through Sunday, July 5, 2026, and the historic Plaza will once again be the heart of the celebration.
Whether you’re a longtime local or planning your first visit home for the holiday, here’s what you need to know — plus a free downloadable guide you can take with you.
A Tradition Going Back to 1835
Las Vegas was founded in 1835 as Señora de Los Dolores de Las Vegas, “Our Lady of Sorrows of the Meadows.” What started as small community gatherings around saints’ feast days grew into the Fourth of July Fiestas tradition that officially began in 1888 and has continued, in one form or another, for well over a century. Today’s Fiestas blend that deep Catholic and Mexican heritage with the patriotic Fourth of July celebrations brought west by the railroad — music, food, a parade, a queen’s coronation, and fireworks over the Plaza.
What’s Happening This Year
The celebration kicks off on Sunday, June 28 with the Fiesta Queen Pageant at the LCC Media Arts Auditorium, crowning the 2026 Reina de las Fiestas. From there, Plaza Park comes alive Thursday through Sunday with live music nearly all day, a carnival running all four days, and the signature events locals look forward to every year:
- Fiesta Run 10K & 5K — Saturday, July 4, 6:00 AM
- Fiestas de Las Vegas Parade — Saturday, July 4, 9:00 AM, ending at Plaza Park
- City of Las Vegas Fireworks Show — Saturday, July 4, at dusk, NMHU Golf Course
- Kids Catfish Fishing Derby — Sunday, July 5, 7:00 AM at Harris Pond (free, registration required)
In between, the Plaza stage is packed with regional bands and performers from Thursday afternoon through Sunday night, plus the Royalty Dinner and Reina Farewell on Friday evening.
Know Before You Go
A few practical things to plan around this year:
- Parking and road closures begin Tuesday, June 30 at 5:00 PM and continue through Monday, July 6 at 7:00 AM in the Plaza Park area. Public parking will be available at the City of Las Vegas Utilities Department lot on 12th Street.
- No pets are allowed in Plaza Park (service animals excepted), and alcohol is restricted to designated areas only.
- With monsoon season underway, the Las Vegas Fire Department is asking everyone to stay alert for sudden rain and to avoid the Gallinas River entirely if water levels rise.
Download the Free Fiestas Guide
To make it easier to plan your weekend, we’ve put together a free, printable PDF guide covering the full event schedule day by day, the parade route and road closures, fishing derby details, fireworks and Plaza Park safety rules, and a quick-reference contact list for city services, police, fire, and more.
[Download the 2026 Fiestas de Las Vegas Guide (PDF)]
Print it, save it to your phone, or just keep it handy on the Plaza — everything you need for the weekend in one place.
¡Que Viva Las Fiestas!
Schedule and details are subject to change. For the most current updates, follow the City of Las Vegas on Facebook, or visit www.lasvegasnm.gov.
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