Alumbra means “to light up” and there is no better way to commence your holidays and light up your spirit than to celebrate a day of festivities at the Alumbra de Questa Christmas Market followed by the Village Holiday Light Parade on Saturday, Dec. 10.

“Alumbra is a pop-up Christmas shop with quality, original pieces from local artisans and craftspeople; there’s so much variety that there truly is something for everyone! Come by and visit us, we’re looking forward to seeing everyone again this year,” said Torre Strong, who handcrafts high-end leather bags, belts, and accessories here in Questa.

Alumbra kicks off “Shop Questa” for the holiday season, season, a reminder to “buy local,” from Arroyo Hondo to El Rito at the Colorado border, and spread the love by doing your shopping at area merchants and with locals artists (https://northernnewmexicoartists.com/). Get a free reusable “Shop Questa” logo shopping bag when you stop by the Alumbra Christmas Market, it’s our gift to you, made possible through a generous grant from the LOR Foundation.

Alumbra is inside this year at the Questa VFW Lodge on Saturday Dec. 10 from 10 am to 4 pm. It’s where you’ll run into friends and family all doing their Christmas shopping at the artisan gift booths, enjoying delicious seasonal foods and hot beverages, caroling to live holiday music, and visiting with Santa.
Then as dusk descends, Santa makes his way to his place of honor in the Questa Holiday Light Parade, beginning at 6:30 pm. Vehicles bedecked with Christmas lights and decorations, filled with local merrymakers, and blasting nostalgic holiday tunes, spread Christmas cheer from one end of the Village to the other. The Light Parade begins at Herrera Road north of town and travels south along NM Hwy 522 through the Questa Village Center, all the way to the Phillips 66 Station. There’s great viewing anywhere along the parade route, just dress warmly, and remember to be extra cautious around traffic and moving vehicles.

Do you want to be in the parade? It’s free! All you have to do is pre-register with Valerie Vigil at the Village Offices (see sidebar), then creatively and festively decorate your vehicle. Participants should plan to line up beginning at 5:45pm so everyone has a place, and no one is left behind.

Start your day at the Alumbra de Questa Christmas Market and finish by celebrating with the Village’s Holiday Light Parade. The day of festivities is sponsored by the Questa Economic Development Fund, the Village of Questa, and the LOR Foundation.