❤️ What's Happening This Week in Las Cruces September 18, 2026

Local Events on Tuesday & Friday @ 6 am - Live Music on Thursday @ 1 pm

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The 34th annual White Sands Balloon Invitational lifts off this weekend, Sept. 19–20, with balloons over the dunes and Alamogordo. Saturday’s mass ascension is at White Sands National Park (arrive 5:30–6:30 a.m.; lift-off 7:30–8 a.m.; $25 per vehicle). Sunday’s flight is free at Ed Brabson Balloon Park, 700 Lavelle Rd. (arrive ~6:45–7 a.m.; lift-off 7:30–8 a.m.). This year’s event is back to basics—balloons and tradition, no glow, vendors, or entertainment—and flights are weather-dependent, so check whitesandsballoons.com before you go.

Spaceport America’s 2026 Open House is Saturday, September 26, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport (County Road A021, Truth or Consequences) Free, but you have to register first. Expect rockets and unusual aircraft, STEM stations, speakers, local food trucks, and a chance to wander a facility that is usually locked down.

Register here: Eventbrite or via spaceportamerica.com/open-house.

Las Cruces Space Festival runs Sept. 19–26, and this town finally gets to show off the thing it’s been orbiting for decades.

Kickoff is tomorrow: art-show opening at The Hood (5–8 p.m.) and International Observe the Moon Night on the Plaza (6–9 p.m.). Then it’s space trivia at TorC Brewing (Sept. 24), NMSU Astronomy Night plus a Challenger mission (Sept. 25), and Saturday’s doubleheader — Spaceport America Open House and Space Fest at the Museum of Nature & Science. The student-led art show (“Space Unites Us”) stays up at The Hood through Oct. 4.

Most of it is free. Register for the Spaceport and Challenger spots. More info

Every Friday in September Zia Vet Clinic is hosting a low cost canine vaccine clinic. No appointment necessary. More Info

⛽ Gas Prices in Las Cruces

Check our Online Events Calendar for even more events

Music lovers here is the latest Live Music issue.

Join us for the next Dinner Club on October 14th.

Multi-Use Hiking/Biking Trails and BLM Trail & Difficulty Map

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Note: Any updates or corrections will be reflected online.

Enjoy the harvest season with our Third Friday Market and weekly dining specials this Friday, 18 September from 5 – 8 pm. Dive into a treasure trove of handmade wonders from local vendors and artisans! Oh, and don't miss out on our piping hot pizzas fresh from the oven, available from 4PM-9PM!

Calendar Lineup

Join us for U Pick Days, free line dancing lessons, pizza specials, and great wine and food + music at Rio Grande Winery!

Rio Grande Winery
Website: RioGrandeWinery.com
Phone: 575-201-3744
Follow us: Facebook and Instagram

Note: Always check to confirm event details with venue before attending events for changes or weather cancellations.

👉 Got an event coming up? Add it to our Events Calendar

Employment Law Update: CSI: Compliance, Strategy, and Impact | NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum | 7:30 am - 5 pm

Third Friday Market | Rio Grande Winery | 5 - 8 pm | Local Vendors & Artisans, Handmade Goods, Unique Gifts, Live Music.

Skateboard Maintenance Workshop & Skate Basics Lesson | Compass Skate Shop | 5:30 - 7:30 pm | Latino Conservation Weeks

Moonlight: Adult Night at the Museums | Branigan Cultural Center | 5 – 9 pm | 21+; free entry (optional $10 liquor tasting 6:30 – 8:30 pm)

Organ Mountain Knights vs Las Cruces Bulldaws | Field of Dreams | 7 pm

Farmers & Crafts Market of Las Cruces (Saturday) | Downtown Main Street | 8:30 am – 1 pm

Dripping Springs Guided Hike | Friends of OMDP / Dripping Springs Visitor Center | 8 – 11 am | Free; $5 parking; RSVP; no dogs

Unveiling of Jardín de Tortugas Pueblo | NM Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum | 9:30 am – 12 pm | Free admission until noon

10th Annual Recovery Celebration | Las Cruces Suicide Prevention Task Force | Apodaca Park | 10 am - 2 pm

Artventurous | Museum of Art | 10 am - 12 pm

Weaving for Justice 3rd Saturday Sale of Maya Textiles and Gifts | First Christian Church Atrium | 10 am - 3 pm

Maternal Health Day Healthy Pregnancies & Postpartum Recovery | Vet-HER-an Enterprises @ Vida Midwifery | 11 am - 1 pm

Horse Sanctuary Open Farm Day | River Thunder Ranch | 11 am - 3 pm

PMT Beading Demonstration | Branigan Cultural Center courtyard | Canceled

Kid's No-Sew Felt Quilting Workshop | Branigan Cultural Center | 2 – 3 pm | Grades 1–5; registration

Live MMA - Battle for the Throne | Pan American Center | 4 pm

Team Zane Celebrity Waiter 2026 - Urban Cowboy | Las Cruces Convention Center | 6 - 9 pm | Fundraiser for El Caldito & Boys & Girls Club

La Cueva Hike | Friends of OMDP / La Cueva Picnic Area | 8 - 11 am | RSVP

NMSU Women’s Soccer vs Northern Arizona | NM State Soccer Athletic Complex | 1 pm

NMSU Autumn Overture | Atkinson Recital Hall | 3 pm | Free; ensembles / Pride of New Mexico / Ballet Folklórico

Monthly Gathering w/ the Mesilla Valley Big Band | Mesilla Valley Jazz & Blues Society | Alma d'arte Charter High School | 6:30 pm

NMSU Volleyball vs New Mexico | Pan American Center | 6 pm

Teen Takeover: The Night Owls | Museum of Nature & Science | 5 - 7:30 pm

Queer Crafting Circle | Museum of Art Studio B | 5 - 7:30 pm

👉 There’s so much more….Be sure to check our Events Calendar and Live Music events and weekly recurring events like the farmers & crafts markets.

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Southern New Mexico State Fair | Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds | Sept 30 - Oct 04th

Mesilla Valley Maze 2026 public season is Oct 3 – Oct 25

Southern New Mexico Book Festival | Doña Ana Community College | Oct 03rd

Autumn Adventure Camp | La Cueva Group Site | Grades 2 - 5 | Oct 5th - 8th

Las Cruces Home Expo | Las Cruces Convention Center | October 16th-18th

Jackalope Trail Run & Run&Ride | Oct 18th | Register now

Doña Ana Mountain Bike Race 2026 | FYZICAL | October 30th | Registration Opens August 01st.

NMSU Homecoming 2026 | November 6th & 7th

When it’s time for dirt work, landscaping, or a weekend project around the house, Zia Equipment Rentals makes it easy. This is one of the few locally owned equipment rental companies in the Las Cruces area—and it shows in the service.

Kevin will talk through your job, help you choose the right Kubota skid steer or mini excavator, and deliver it ready to work. No pressure, no confusion, just clear advice and reliable machines. Their popular Weekend Warrior deal lets you pay for one day and keep the equipment through the weekend.

Fast, friendly, and focused on getting homeowners the right gear the first time. That’s the Zia difference.

Zia Equipment Rentals, LLC
Website: ZiaEquipmentRentals.com
Phone: 575-650-1593 (Click to Call)
Follow us: Facebook

Tiny Beautiful Things | Black Box Theatre/No Strings Theatre Company | Sep 18-Oct 04, 2026

A Perfect Arrangement | New Mexico State University Theatre | Oct 01st - 11th

The Seuss Odyssey | A Children’s Theatre | Rio Grande Theatre | October 16th & 17th

Footloose the Musical | New Mexico State University Theatre | Nov 12th - 22nd

See our events calendar for Artist & Gallery Shows *Artists and Galleries add your shows to our calendar! We love sharing the Arts!

City of Las Cruces Senior Recreation Program Calendar. Also check our online events calendar for more.

"New to Las Cruces or craving real connections?

Our Dinner Club is the perfect mix: personality-matched tables, amazing food, and genuine conversations that turn strangers into fast friends.

Newcomers feel at home immediately. Locals leave loving this community even more.

Wednesday, October 14th • 6 pm

Note: Date for this event has been changed from Sept 11-13th to Oct 16-18th

The Las Cruces Home Expo hits the Las Cruces Convention Center October 16–18, 2026—free admission, free parking, and a whole weekend of local contractors, the latest trends, and show-only deals under one roof.

Whether you’re remodeling, decorating, or just hunting inspiration (and a few good quotes), this is the one to hit.

Full details: lascruceshomeexpo.com

* We put the spotlight on local businesses because we are committed to celebrating the innovation, dedication, and community impact of the entrepreneurs who strengthen our local economy. Submit your suggestions.

Thanks for reading today and for being a part of our community which is now 11,000 strong!

Thanks Las Cruces!!