¡mira! Las Cruces kicks off Friday with new night events, road closures downtown
¡mira! Las Cruces returns April 24–25 with a new Friday kickoff, live music, food vendors and a drone show. Here’s what to know, including road closures.
Two-day festival brings music, food, lucha libre and a drone show as streets close across Main Street corridor
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - The 2026 ¡mira! Las Cruces festival begins Friday, April 24, with a new evening kickoff and continues Saturday with a full day of music, food and family activities in downtown Las Cruces.
The free, two-day festival runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and 2 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday on and around the Plaza de Las Cruces.
Friday’s kickoff features live performances by Rebel Creek Radio and Cautivo Norteño, along with food trucks and complimentary aguas frescas and bread rolls available while supplies last.
Saturday expands into a full festival lineup, including live entertainment, local craft vendors, a car show, artist alley and a kids section. Organizers also plan lucha libre matches and a nighttime drone show.
Western singer Annie Bosko will headline Saturday’s performances at 8 p.m., following sets by the 575 Band and Dzaki Sukarno. Sol Ballroom will offer country line dance lessons ahead of the evening lineup.
An interactive “America 250” mural and a preview of the New Mexico Juneteenth Jazz Arts Festival at the Rio Grande Theatre are also scheduled.
“This event is much more than music and lights," Mayor Eric Enriquez said. "It brings together our community and welcomes thousands of visitors to experience our vibrant culture, history and traditions.”
Road closures and parking
The city will close multiple downtown streets ahead of and during the festival:
– Main Street from Griggs Avenue to Las Cruces Avenue closes starting Thursday, April 23
– Griggs Avenue from Main Street to Church Street closes at noon Friday
– Main Street from the north roundabout to Bowman Avenue, along with Las Cruces and Griggs avenues, closes late Friday night
– Church Street closes from Las Cruces Avenue to Bowman Avenue Saturday evening for the drone show
All streets are scheduled to reopen by 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
Free parking will be available downtown, though some lots will close for drone show setup.
What to know before you go
Attendees can bring folding or camping chairs, as seating is limited. Organizers allow leashed pets at the event.
The Las Cruces Farmers and Crafts Market will move to Sunday, April 26, though many vendors will participate in the festival.
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