Summer in New Mexico is an incredible time, filled with dozens of community events, celebrations, and gatherings designed to bring us together. In particular, Native American culture has a vibrant home in New Mexico, and nowhere is that more evident than in the annual Santa Fe Indian Arts Show.
Visiting Santa Fe for the Indian Market? Here’s how to make the most of your trip. Verdes Cannabis offers a wide selection of New Mexico cannabis products for all types of consumers.
Key Takeaways:
- The Santa Fe Indian Market takes place August 15th and 16th, 2026, at the Santa Fe Plaza.
- The event is the largest, most prestigious Native art market in the world.
- Santa Fe is one of the most historic cities in the United States, with incredible art, culture, hiking, and food.
- Verdes Cannabis has two convenient Santa Fe dispensary locations.
- Cannabis is legal for visitors and anyone over 21 in New Mexico.
- Verdes is the most awarded dispensary in New Mexico, with in-house brands cultivated for quality and wellness.
What is the Santa Fe Indian Market?
The Santa Fe Indian Market is an iconic Southwestern art event that hosts the world’s largest juried Indian art show. In 2026, Native Americans from across the United States and Canada will gather for the 104th year to celebrate Native art, heritage, and culture.
The show takes place at the historic Santa Fe Plaza in the heart of Santa Fe over the course of one weekend. This year, it’s the weekend of August 14-16. The Southwestern Association for Indian Arts hosts the event, featuring a juried art contest, art markets, auctions, a gala, a fashion show, and an Indigenous Film Festival, all in one of the most scenic locations in one of the country’s oldest cities.
Of course, there are also food vendors, cultural demonstrations, live performances, and family programming. While certain events are ticketed, the art market is completely free and open to the public.
This event draws thousands of attendees from Tribal Nations across North America, and is one of the most beloved celebrations in Santa Fe.
New Mexico Cannabis Consumption Laws: A Cannabis Tourist’s Guide
Visiting New Mexico for the first time? If so, we’re thrilled to welcome you to the Land of Enchantment. Here’s what you need to know about New Mexican cannabis laws.
How much cannabis can I buy in New Mexico?
In a single transaction, you can buy up to:
- 2 ounces of flower
- 16 grams of concentrate
- 800 mg of edibles
Where can I smoke cannabis in New Mexico?
You can smoke at private residences (including vacation rentals, with owner permission) and consumption lounges. It is illegal to use cannabis while driving or in public spaces.
Does New Mexico have medical marijuana reciprocity?
Yes. If you’re a licensed medical marijuana patient in another state, you can use your medical card here to save on cannabis products. You must register at a dispensary like Verdes Cannabis to do so.
Planning a Weekend in Santa Fe Around the Indian Market
Enjoy Incredible New Mexican Cuisine
Foodies rejoice; New Mexico is home to incredible regional cuisine. From chilaquiles for breakfast to green chile stew, chile rellenos (deep-fried cheese-stuffed green chiles), and carne adovada, there are almost too many delicious regional dishes to choose from in just one weekend. You’ll also find incredible variations of Mexican dishes like tamales, sopapillas, and burritos on every corner.
New Mexico is the chile capital of the world, and we’re intensely proud of our Hatch chiles. As a result, you’ll find them tucked into many dishes, as a sauce or a little pop of spice. Don’t forget to grab a bag of green chiles to bring home with you!
Pro tip: You’ll be asked “red or green?” at some point during your visit. You can choose red chile or green chile on your dish, or you can be like many New Mexicans and say “Christmas!” to get both red and green chile.
Hit up the Hot Springs
It’s warm in Santa Fe in August, but if you can stand the heat, a trip to the hot springs is well worth the trip. New Mexico is home to many hot springs, some at paid resorts and others free in the wild.
Ojo Santa Fe has welcomed travelers to its hot springs for hundreds of years. This resort ranks among the most popular spa and hot-spring options, with three thermal pools, a saltwater swimming pool, a float tank, and an infrared sauna. They also offer shorter soaking pool reservations if you don’t want to spend all day there.
If you’d rather explore free options, check out Spence Hot Springs and San Antonio Hot Springs, which are both a day trip from Santa Fe.
Go for a Hike
Santa Fe is a hiker’s paradise, with soaring mountain peaks, relatively flat mesa trails, canyons, gorges, and much more to explore. While mid-day temps are quite high in August, you’ll find plenty to enjoy with an early start, or you can take advantage of the long daylight hours with a late-afternoon hike.
Whether you want a strenuous hike with stunning views or a short jaunt somewhere new, Santa Fe has a trail for you.
A few favorites include:
- Atalaya Mountain: A 6-mile round trip with 1,700 ft of elevation change takes you to the top of Atalaya Mountain, rewarding you with stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Rio Grande Gorge.
- Arroyo Hondo Open Space: This 3-mile loop trail offers intimate views of the forests around Santa Fe, abundant with fragrant piñon and juniper, along the Arroyo Hondo, with minimal elevation change.
- Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument: A national preserve about an hour south of Santa Fe, Kasha-Katuwe feels like a Martian world. Explore trails of varying lengths through unique and ancient rock formations. Visits require a reservation.
Pro tip: Start early in the day or late in the afternoon to stay cool. Santa Fe’s high elevation makes the sun more intense, and both temperatures and UV levels are high in August.
Don’t feel like going for a hike? Alternatively, consider a white water rafting tour on the Rio Grande.
Book a Balloon Ride
New Mexico is famous for our hot air balloons. It may seem curious until you see the sunrise break over the mesa at 200 feet in the air, and suddenly, it all makes sense. Book a balloon ride to see the desert and the mountains from a new perspective.
Hot air balloon tours kick off early in the morning because the cool morning air helps balloons rise faster, and calmer winds offer a smoother, safer ride. Consequently, expect to start your adventure at sunrise.
Tour Art Galleries
The Indian Market features an incredible diversity of artwork. Additionally, Santa Fe is home to an incredible enclave of artists year-round, so if you want to spend an entire weekend wandering through galleries, you can. Seriously, there are over 250 art galleries in Santa Fe, so no matter what style of art you prefer, you’ll find someone creating something amazing.
Local favorites include Evoke Contemporary and Canyon Road, a street dedicated to the finest art in the country, as well as boutiques and fine jewelry.
Verdes is the Best Santa Fe Dispensary For Your Visit
Verdes is proud to be New Mexico’s most-awarded dispensary, and we invite you in to see why. Here you’ll find naturally grown, local cannabis products, most of which are made in-house by our passionate, talented team. Furthermore, our knowledgeable staff is always available to guide you through your options.
Whether you’re an experienced consumer excited to explore a new market or you’re simply canna-curious, our team is here to help. In fact, our Santa Fe Plaza location is just a few blocks from the action and excitement of the Santa Fe Indian Arts Show.
Try a low-dose gummy to broaden your perspective as you explore the art show, or sip a THC beverage to stay hydrated during a hot springs soak. Apply a soothing topical to ease travel-related aches and pains, and enjoy a preroll before dinner to spark your appetite.
Explore our menu. Ask questions. Take your time. There’s no rush at Verdes Cannabis.
FAQs About Santa Fe and Cannabis
- Is the Indian Market a good place to visit in Santa Fe?
Yes, the Indian Market is a great reason to visit Santa Fe. It is the largest juried Native art show in the world, and a wonderful display of Native American art and culture.
- Is August hot in Santa Fe?
Yes. Santa Fe has a high desert climate at an elevation of 7,000 feet. While temperatures cool overnight and in the early morning, daytime temperatures usually reach the mid-80s to low-90s. Pack loose, flowy clothing and a hat to stay cool, along with plenty of water.
- Is weed legal in New Mexico?
Yes. New Mexico legalized recreational cannabis in 2021, but Verdes has been around since the medical days in 2010.
Make the Most of Your Santa Fe Visit with a Trip to Verdes Dispensary
Verdes Cannabis has two conveniently located Santa Fe dispensaries, so there’s always a location near you. Visit the most-awarded dispensary in New Mexico and experience the Verdes difference.
Stop by one of our Verdes Cannabis locations in Santa Fe before visiting the Indian Market, and let us help you find the right cannabis products for you.
DISCLAIMER: The contents of this blog are intended for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.