It's almost time for luminarias! Here's what you should know about the centuries-old tradition
Editor's note: This is one in a series of landmarks — southern New Mexico historical institutions and landscape features that you may or may not be aware of before reading the article. We'll write about one landmark a month in 2022. To nominate a destination, email LRomero@lcsun-news.com.
LAS CRUCES – Do you decorate with luminarias or farolitos?
Aside from the famous red or green question, New Mexicans have long debated what the little brown bags filled with sand and a candle are called. Though the answer is different depending on where you are in the state, the conclusion is the same — it’s time for the holidays.
Where do luminarias come from?
Southern New Mexicans refer to the traditional lantern decorations as luminarias. Northerners will argue that the word instead refers to a small bonfire. Translated to English, the word farolito means lantern.
The tradition of displaying them dates back hundreds of years when Spanish explorer Gaspar Costaño de Sosa wrote in a journal about small bonfires his colleagues lit so he could find his way back to camp. According to the New Mexico Tourism Department, Sosa called these bonfires “luminarias” in 1590.
Since then, New Mexicans have weighed down paper bags with sand and lit a votive candle set atop the sand inside the bag. Rows of luminarias are used as decorations atop houses, businesses and paths before Christmas and New Year’s. They traditionally symbolize the lighting of the way for the Holy Family.
How do you make luminarias?
The decorations are simple to set up. While some people now prefer luminaries lit by electricity, many still fold and fill bags by hand and light a candle inside.
The first step is to fold down the tops of the brown paper bags. You only need a couple of folds. This is to keep the bags from folding in on themselves (and potentially catching fire).
Next, fill the bags with a scoop of sand to weigh it down. This ensures your bags will not fly away in the fall or winter wind. The sand can be from your backyard or from the surrounding desert.
Votive candles or tea lights are the last part of the luminaria. Nestle each candle in the sand with the wick standing up. This makes it easier when you light them.
Unlit luminarias are decorations in and of themselves during the day. The candles are most often lit at night on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Just be sure not to leave the flames unsupervised.
Where can I see luminaria displays?
While individual homes and businesses will have their own decorations, there are several local community displays to see this season.
Noche de Luminarias at NMSU
Each December, New Mexico State University hosts Noche de Luminarias on campus. This year, the Las Cruces community is invited to walk among the hundreds of lit luminarias Sunday evening, Dec. 4. The lights typically wrap around from Corbett Center Student Union down the International Mall toward Hadley Hall and back around Alumni Pond toward the Pan American Center.
Attendees can enjoy hot chocolate and cider at stations set up around campus. Crafts, carriage rides and appearances from Pistol Pete, Wave the Wonder Dog and Santa Claus have been part of previous events.
Cafecito & Luminarias in the Doña Ana Plaza
The Doña Ana Village Association is hosting its annual Cafecito and Luminarias Saturday, Dec. 17 on the historic plaza. Hot chocolate, coffee and biscochitos will be offered while attendees enjoy the lights.
People will learn about the history of the village and north Mesilla Valley. Artists will display their creations in the De La O Center and holiday vendors and a food truck will also be on site. Festivities will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at 5393 Cristo Rey St.
Luminarias on the Historic Mesilla Plaza
Members of the community annually come together and set up hundreds of luminarias throughout the Town of Mesilla ahead of Christmas. They line the walkways, the tops of the adobe buildings and cover the gazebo in the middle of the plaza.
Every Christmas Eve, the town hosts musicians singing carols around the Christmas Tree in the plaza. Shops stay open later in the evening for last-minute gift shopping. The Basilica of San Albino typically holds several Christmas Eve masses throughout the evening.
Las Noches de Las Luminarias
The annual New Year's Eve luminaria display at Fort Selden Historic Site is returning after two years being canceled. It didn't take place in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 800 luminarias will dot the ruin of Fort Selden in this display. Entry is $5 for adults and free for children age 16 and young. Fort Selden is in Radium Springs, accessible Exit 19 on Interstate 25.
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Leah Romero is the trending reporter at the Las Cruces Sun-News and can be reached at 575-418-3442, LRomero@lcsun-news.com or @rromero_leah on Twitter.
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