Summer Nights at the Santa Fe Opera

Few summer evenings in Santa Fe are as memorable as a performance at the Santa Fe Opera.

Since 1957, opera lovers have made the short drive north of town to a remarkable open-air theater where the scenery is as captivating as the music. Founder John Crosby chose the site for its sweeping views and remarkable acoustics, creating a venue unlike any other in America.

Even if you're not an opera enthusiast, the experience is unforgettable. Arrive early and you'll discover one of Santa Fe's favorite traditions: elegant tailgate dinners in the parking lot. Some guests uncork fine wine and spread white tablecloths, while others simply enjoy a picnic with family and friends.

Then there are the fashions. Black tie, cocktail dresses, turquoise jewelry, cowboy boots, denim, and plenty of colorful "peacocks" all mingle happily together. In Santa Fe, almost anything goes.

As the sun sets, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains glow to the east while summer thunderstorms often build over the Jemez Mountains to the west. Occasionally distant lightning flickers beyond the stage as the stars emerge overhead. It's a setting that no indoor opera house could ever duplicate.

The productions themselves are world-class, featuring internationally acclaimed singers, imaginative stage sets, and an adventurous repertoire that ranges from beloved classics to contemporary works.

Whether you're attending your first opera or your fiftieth, the Santa Fe Opera offers something uniquely New Mexican—a magical summer evening where music, landscape, and sky become part of the same performance.

If you're spending a few days in Santa Fe, pair an evening at the Opera with a morning history walk around the Plaza—you'll experience two very different traditions that have helped make Santa Fe one of America's great cultural destinations.