Free events in Santa Fe, NM

The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum keeps its doors open later on the first Friday of each month, creating an evening opportunity to experience the art. Admission is complimentary all day for New Mexico residents, and there is a free entry window for everyone in the evening. These First Friday evenings also feature added programs and activities.

This free, all-ages hip hop festival returns to Railyard Plaza as part of Santa Fe Summer Scene, celebrating the depth, creativity and community roots of the culture. Expect MCs, DJs, dancers and writers, a fashion show, live mural painting, vendors and an after party. Taking the stage, Souls of Mischief, Brother Ali and Slum Village trace a cross-country lineage, blending jazz-laced West Coast boom-bap, soulful Midwestern production and candid, confessional lyricism. Sponsored by Santa Fe Brewing Co., the event features internationally known performers alongside local talent. Standing room is available, and attendees may bring chairs. ADA accommodations are available upon request. Bring a refillable water bottle, with on-site filling stations. Food and drinks are available at nearby spots including Second Street Brewery, Violet Crown Cinema, As Above & So Below and La Lecheria, with additional food vendors on site. Ample parking is available in the nearby underground garage, and a late-night southbound Rail Runner train runs during Summer Scene Railyard concerts with service between Santa Fe and Downtown Albuquerque.

Savor good food alongside complimentary chess in a relaxed setting. Players at any skill level can receive coaching or jump into casual games, with plenty of chances to meet new people and enjoy the experience.

Hosted by the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, this monthly Family Day takes place on the Second Sunday and is offered at no cost to participants and to New Mexico residents. Presented in collaboration with the Santa Fe Children’s Museum and the Santa Fe Public Library, it welcomes all ages to take part in hands-on artmaking, storytelling, and creative activities.

Chess players gather at CHOMP Food Hall for free practice and coaching. The session continues even when the venue is hosting salsa night.

This Pokémon event features off-meta play for adults, while kids play in the standard format. Entry is free, with a focus on fun and enjoyment of the game.

Monsieur Periné appears in concert with Christina Gomez y Los Cuates. Fronted by Catalina García and Santiago Prieto Sarabia of Colombia, the project blends pop, jazz, and swing with Latin American styles such as guaracha, salsa, cumbia, and bolero, with songs that reflect on the world, love, and freedom. Since their 2012 debut, the group has earned international recognition, winning the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist for the 2015 album Caja de Música, performing at major festivals, receiving additional Grammy honors, and releasing three more critically acclaimed albums. All ages are welcome. Sponsored by The Agency.

Sky Cinemas hosts chess with options for casual learners and serious competitors. Play informal games and get free help from experts, or take part in weekly rated rounds with cash prizes awarded at the end of the month. Rated play is now available at the theater.

An educational lunch in Santa Fe is designed for people who worked at Sandia, Los Alamos, or at uranium sites and want to learn how they may qualify for compensation, health benefits, and in-home care at no cost. Presented by CNS Cares, a home care provider that supports energy workers, this free session takes place at Tomasita's. Seating is limited and RSVPs are encouraged.

Gary Farmer & the Troublemakers bring a soulful blend of blues, roots, and jam to Santa Fe Plaza. Led by Gary Farmer, a Cayuga Nation artist known for roles in films such as Dead Man, Smoke Signals, and Powwow Highway, the Santa Fe based group has spent more than three decades on the scene with seven albums to its name. Their 2022 release, Fool for Love, received Best Americana Album at the New Mexico Music Awards. This event is sponsored by the Institute of American Indian Arts. All ages are welcome. Plan for standing room or bring blankets or chairs. Street and garage parking are available. Bring a refillable water bottle, as filling stations will be on site. Food vendors will be present and the event is alcohol free. Accessibility accommodations are available upon request. Filming and photography may occur for Lensic marketing and promotional use. Anyone who prefers not to be photographed or recorded can notify a staff member or an event photographer or videographer. During Summer Scene Railyard concerts, a late night southbound Rail Runner departs from the Santa Fe Depot Station and stops at stations between Santa Fe and Downtown Albuquerque.

Learn the basics of Pokémon at a free learn to play session designed for newcomers who want to get started with the game.

This beginner-friendly bachata class with Metta Dance focuses on core movement and partner connection in a 60 minute format that blends individual drills with paired practice. It is designed for first-time dancers and those new to structured bachata training. No experience or partner is required, and the first session is complimentary. Over a four week rotation, participants learn to recognize the music and its cultural context, build control through several foundational steps and grooves, lead and follow contemporary turns with sound technique, strengthen connection through frame-focused exercises, and combine these skills into simple, fluid sequences. The curriculum runs in a repeating cycle, so you can start in any week and repeat as needed to build comfort before moving to the next level.

This learn-to-play event introduces Riftbound and shows how battles in the rift work. It is free to attend.