Belen
What started as an Albuquerque Christmas tradition in the northeast heights at the Bugg household moved for several years to the Menaul School. The seasonal display is now housed at the Harvey House Museum in Belen.

Rio Grande Blvd From Paseo Del Norte to Alameda, take a drive down Rio Grande (especially on Christmas Eve), and you’re sure to see a good showing of luminarias.

“The farolitos are the candles inside of a bag,” said Damian Wilson, Assistant Professor of Spanish at the University of New Mexico. “But a luminaria is a stack of wood where you stack it, two by two to create sort of a tower…”

festival light
Farolito means “little lantern” in Spanish, and luminary, or luminaria , means “festival light.” Traditionally, the term luminaria was used in reference to a vigil bonfire, though it’s primarily northern New Mexicans who have kept this distinction.

A luminaria or farolito (see naming disagreement section below) is a small paper lantern (commonly a candle set in some sand inside a paper bag) which is of significance in the U.S. state of New Mexico in southwest United States at Christmas time, especially on Christmas Eve. They are also used in Hispanic culture.

The tradition of luminarias comes from Mexico. It has been celebrated for many years in New Mexico before spreading to communities throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. The Pueblo Indians in New Mexico have long lit small fires outside their homes to light their way to church on Christmas Eve.

Before Christianity, pagans used to lite huge bonfires to celebrate feasts dedicated to their gods. When stronger paper bags arrived, farolitos (lit paper bags) became popular. They are used to light homes’ sidewalks, streets, and church yards.

Be sure to raise the wick on each candle prior to lighting. as possible by 4:00 PM. Bags should be placed approximately 5 feet apart. These are long burning candles and should burn through the night.

What is the luminary religion? The luminaries were what traditional astrologers called the two astrological “planets” which were the brightest and most important objects in the heavens, that is, the Sun and the Moon.

Luminaria Night is a beautiful and enchanted evening when neighborhoods line their streets with luminaria – white bags illuminated by votive candles. The luminaria are a symbol of unity and caring for those less fortunate.

The lovely, simple lanterns are eye-catching but do pose a fire risk. If you want to line your landscape with luminaries, please follow a few fire safety precautions and also protect your home by having advanced fire alarm systems.

Make the most simple, traditional luminarias with brown or white paper bags.

1. Fold each bag at the top, then fill each with a couple of cups of sand.
2. Add a votive candle! For safety, many folks now use a flameless LED votive candle or solar-powered light.
3. Place the bags on steady ground along pathways.

The City of Albuquerque offers an annual luminaria tour through Old Town and the Country Club area via bus. Sit and relax in the warmth of the bus, where you can forget the crowds and walk in the dark. Tours start at the Albuquerque Convention Center and are scheduled for Monday, December 24. The tours last about one hour.

The Luminaria Tour tickets go on sale beginning at midnight on Friday morning, November 29. Buy them online or at the Hold My Ticket office at 112 Second Street SW in downtown Albuquerque, in the Sunshine building. Routes, Rentals, and Tours offers a special Lights & Luminarias tour.

The Old Town Holiday Stroll on Friday, December 6, 2019 features live entertainment, dancers, family activities, Santa Claus and the lighting of the giant Christmas tree at Plaza Don Luis.

The Pueblo Shop and Stroll, Friday, December 6 through Sunday, December 8, 2019 includes a bazaar featuring Native artists selling handcrafted clay ornaments, nativity sets, jewelry, art, and gifts. We can’t forget the food.