The dance is not done by Native Americans but by Spanish-Americans and is done to keep a very old tradition alive that dates back to the late 1700′s. The dancers are not acting or pretending to be Indians but are carrying on a tradition that remembers the relationship between the Spanish settlers of the northern part of the state and the nomadic Comanche Indians.

I could go on here but there are several web sites that can supply concise information about the Comanche Dances and here they are:

• An article in the New Mexico Magazine that covers the Comanche Dances and other northern New Mexico traditional dances,
• A newsletter published by the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives,
• Paula Valentine’s Photography site which has wonderful photos of the event in Taos,
• A photo of 2 young Los Comanche Dancers in Alcalde, New Mexico.

I hope this will start anyone on the road to needed information and please let me know if any links are not working. They are all good as of today but tomorrow??……this is the internet you know!

December 1-31

Aztec – Fantasy of Lights Show at Riverside Park.

December 5

Albuquerque – Holiday Stroll in Old Town.

Lordsburg – Light Parade on Motel Drive.

Socorro – Annual Luminarias on the Plaza.

December 5 & 6

Gallup – Red Rock Ballon Rally at Red Rock Park.

December 6

Belen – La Gran Pastorela (a Spanish Folk Play).

Deming – Christmas Light Parade downtown.

Hillsboro – Christmas in the Foothills.

December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21

Madrid – Christmas in Madrid Open House.

December 10 & 11

Las Cruces – Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta in Tortugas.

December 12

Santa Fe – Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

Bernalillo – Christmas at Kuaua at Coronado State Monument.

Albuquerque – Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.

Jemez Pueblo – Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day and Matachines Dance.

Pojoaque Pueblo – Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Day and traditional Dance.

December 13

Jemez Springs – Farolito Tour at Jemez State Park.

Las Cruces – Luminaria Tour at Ft. Selden State Monument.

Rio Rancho – Jingle Bell Balloon Rally at the Events Center.

Socorro – Christmas at El Camino Real Heritage Center.

Truth Or Consequences – Beachwalk Luminarias at Elephant Butte State Park.

December 13 & 14

Albuquerque – A Pueblo Christmas at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. (Lots of good stuff here!)

December 14

Santa Fe – Las Posadas (a traditional Spanish Christmas Play) at the Palace of the Governors.

December 16

Las Cruces – Las Posadas at St. Genevieve Church.

December 18

Silver City – Frontier Christmas at the Silver City Museum.

December 23

Farmington – Navajo Nativity at the Four Corners Home For Children.

December 24

Albuquerque – Luminaria Tour. Bus tour Starts in Old Town. (This is well worth while!)

Angel Fire – Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and Fireworks at Angel Fire Resort.

Mesilla – Christmas Carols and Luminarias on the Plaza.

Santa Fe – Farolitos on the Plaza.

December 25

Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan Pueblo) – Deer or Matachines Dance.

Picuris Pueblo – Matachines Dance.

Taos Pueblo – Deer or Matachines Dance.

December 25 – 27

Laguna Pueblo – Dances following Mass.

December 25 – 28

Zia Pueblo – Dances.

December 27

Alcalde – Los Comanches re-enactment and celebration.