More than 1,000 luminarias, handmade, hand-placed, and hand-lighted, will set the landscape aglow Dec. 3 at San Gregorio de Abó Mission, tracing the outline of the seventeenth century church. Courtesy/FSPM
Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions News:
Mountainair – Spend an evening of enchantment among the ruins of Abó at Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, illuminated by more than 1,000 luminarias.
Luminara de Abó is scheduled 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and sponsored by the Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions.
New Mexico’s newest luminaria event is at the San Gregorio de Abó Mission at the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. More than 1,000 luminarias, handmade, hand-placed, and hand-lighted, will set the landscape aglow, tracing the outline of the seventeenth century church.
Friends of Salinas Pueblo Missions is partnering with Manzano Mountain Art Council (MMAC) to host the event. Formed in 1995 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, MMAC is dedicated to promoting art appreciation and programming in Mountainair and the Estancia Valley.
This is the second annual Luminaria de Abó, but the first held since 2019 because of restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is the largest luminaria event in central New Mexico.
The local parish will conduct a 4 p.m. Mass to be followed by a reenactment of a Posada. Tours through the Abó mission will open to the public following the Mass. Complimentary refreshments, live music and piñatas for the children will be offered.
“We should have a bright, nearly full moon to complement the glow of the luminarias. It should be a lovely sight to all who attend and a feast for night photography enthusiasts,” said Tom Worker of the Friends of the Salinas Pueblo Missions, the event sponsor. (*link below to video assets includes interview with Tom Worker).
After a quiet walk through the mission, Worker invites those who attend to the night of luminarias to gather at the festively decorated gathering place near the NPS Visitor Center to enjoy a free hot drink, tamale, and bizcochito cookies.
Local musicians will offer music that highlights the cultural aspect of the celebration and children can participate in the smashing of the candy-filled piñata.
WHERE: The Salinas Pueblo Mission National Monument at Abó is located nine miles west of Mountainair, just off Hwy 60 and a half mile north on N.M. 513.
The event is free to the public however a donation of $5 per carload is suggested.
All funds raised go directly to support all three Salinas Pueblo Missions. For more information visit the website at friendsofsalinas.org website or their Facebook page.
- FEE: Free, donations greatly appreciated
- LOCATION: Abó Unit: Latitude: 34° 27′ 12.59″ N Longitude: -106° 19′ 35.40″ W.
- ADDRESS: Abó unit) Visitor Center, 105 S Ripley Ave, Mountainair, NM 87036
- TELEPHONE: 505.847.2585