Albuquerque Seasonal Food: When to Eat What 2026

What is in season in Albuquerque, and what to order when the market changes.

Next up in Albuquerque

1 NovMexican and New Mexican food vendors, pan de muerto

Spring

Growers' markets reopen: The Downtown Growers' Market at Robinson Park runs Saturdays from April to November, 8 am to noon, and the Los Ranchos Growers' Market at 6718 Rio Grande Blvd NW opens on Saturdays in May.
Rail Yards Market: Rail Yards Market, a non-profit-operated farmers' market at 777 1st St SW, is open Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm from May to October.
Albuquerque Restaurant Week: Participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus at $33, $44, $66 and $77; the 2026 edition ran April 17 to 26, and the organiser lists the 2027 edition as coming in spring.

Calabacitas: Calabacitas is chopped summer squash sauteed with onion, garlic, yellow corn and green chile; Sadie's of New Mexico, El Pinto and Indian Pueblo Kitchen list it as a side.
Chile roasting begins: The Downtown Growers' Market says chile roasting begins there in mid July and runs through September.

Green chile harvest: New Mexico green chile is harvested from August through the middle of October and is typically roasted, peeled and frozen for the year ahead.
New Mexico State Fair: Navajo tacos, fry bread and green chile cheese curds are among the foods named in the fair's food guide; the 2026 fair ran September 10 to 20.
Balloon Fiesta: The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, held October 3 to 11 in 2026, has about 100 merchandise and food concessions on Main Street at Balloon Fiesta Park.
Greek Festival: The Albuquerque Greek Festival at St George Greek Orthodox Church, held on the first weekend of October, serves roast lamb, souvlaki, gyros, pastitsio and baklava.
Chicos: Farmers make chicos in the fall: ears of white sweet corn are steamed overnight in the husk in an outdoor horno, then sun dried for at least a week.
Day of the Dead: Muertos y Marigolds holds its South Valley celebration on November 1, 2026, and Golden Crown Panaderia bakes pan de muerto in at least three sizes for the holiday.

Biscochitos: The biscochito, New Mexico's state cookie since 1989, is a traditional Christmas cookie; Celina's Biscochitos sells them by mail order and Golden Crown Panaderia sells them in its bakery.
Posole: New Mexicans typically serve posole on New Year's Eve; Indian Pueblo Kitchen, Sadie's of New Mexico and El Pinto have it on their menus.
Twinkle Light Parade: On Saturday, December 5, 2026, Central Avenue in Nob Hill closes to traffic from 3 pm so people can shop and eat at Nob Hill restaurants before the 5:15 pm parade.

Going to Twinkle Light Parade?

Hotels in Albuquerque, 5 Dec

Holidufrom USD 69 a night