With its rich culture and exciting range of outdoor activities, Albuquerque makes a unique vacation destination for visitors of all ages. Beautifully situated in a high-desert landscape nestled against the soaring peaks of the Sandia Mountains, Albuquerque boasts sunny blue skies more than 310 days a year, plus one-of-a-kind sites and experiences year-round.
Explore what’s new and happening in Albuquerque in 2025. Check out all the ways people are enjoying the area’s award-winning breweries, eclectic restaurants, mountain and river adventures, wide-open spaces and guided tours.
Get Ready to Celebrate the Route 66 Centennial
Did you know that Albuquerque has the longest continuous urban stretch of Route 66? The iconic “Mother Road” spans eight states and stretches more than 2,400 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles. In 2026, celebrate the Mother Road turning 100 years old in Albuquerque.
TourABQ is offering Route 66 Speakeasy tours to celebrate the centennial. Hop aboard the ABQ Trolley Co. and cruise to three different speakeasies, each with its own unique charm and delicious drinks.
Route 66 Summerfest in Nob Hill (on Central Avenue) will occur twice during the Route 66 Centennial Celebrations — July 2025 and July 2026. This exciting annual event celebrates the iconic Mother Road with a spectacular blend of music, food, art and fun. Typically held on the third Saturday of July, the day is filled with lively festivities that capture the spirit of Route 66 and the vibrant culture of Albuquerque.
Stay tuned for more updates, events and centennial celebrations.
But before that — the new West Central Route 66 Visitor Center, scheduled to open its doors in summer 2025, adds an exciting stop for road trippers and neon sign enthusiasts. A collaborative effort between Bernalillo County, the City of Albuquerque and local stakeholders, the recently built 21,000-square-foot, $13.1 million West Central Route 66 Visitor Center includes a banquet/event hall, outdoor amphitheater, Route 66 museum, taproom and gift shop. The outdoor market areas, including the parking lot, will be utilized for a makeshift drive-in theater, car shows, artisan pop ups and other outdoor events. An official opening date is coming soon.
Sunport’s “Dream of Flight” Renovations and New Flights to Albuquerque
In 2025, the Albuquerque International Sunpor will welcome 14 new concessionaires as part of a revamped culinary program. The offerings will include local favorites such as New Mexico Piñon Coffee, Steel Bender Brewyard, Sadie’s of New Mexico, Laguna Burger, Flavor of New Mexico, Indian Pueblo Kitchen and Frank’s Famous Chicken & Waffles. These new offerings are a significant part of the Sunport’s once-in-a-generation, $87 million “Dream of Flight” terminal renovation.
Southwest Airlines has announced the start of daily, nonstop service between the Albuquerque International Sunport and Nashville International Airport (BNA), enhancing connectivity and convenience for travelers between the Land of Enchantment and the Music City. The route is set to begin on April 8, 2025.
Sun Country Airlines became the eighth major commercial airline in the city with an added flight between the Sunport and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in 2024.
Viva Vino Wine Studio with Digital Tasting Table
@visitalbuquerque New Wine Studio in Old Town ABQ ✨ #newinabq #albuquerque #newmexico #trueabq #winetiktok🍷 ♬ Mesmerise - Flava D
New Mexico Wine opened its first storefront and tasting room in Old Town Albuquerque in November 2024. Viva Vino Wine Studio sells products from New Mexico Wine's 50+ member wineries, promotes the state's wine culture and history, and hosts winemaking courses and tastings. Stop by to experience the nation’s first interactive digital tasting table, created by Corrales-based tech company Ideum. With this one-of-a-kind Wine Experience software, this new tasting room offers a truly unique wine-tasting experience.
Opening of ARRIVE Albuquerque
The much anticipated ARRIVE Albuquerque hotel is set to be completed in early 2025. A historic rehabilitation of the 1965-built Downtowner Motor Inn (most recently The Hotel Blue) will transform the Route 66 landmark located at 8th Street and Central Avenue (Histoirc Route 66) into a new boutique hotel, ARRIVE Albuquerque.
In the meantime, Albuquerque is full of other beautiful hotels. Check out some of the unique properties where you can stay in Albuquerque.
New Exhibits at the ABQ BioPark
A new Australian experience opened in 2024 at the ABQ BioPark Zoo. Australian Shores and Lorikeets invites guests to explore unique bird species and Aboriginal culture. Two habitats for birds — one new and one fully renovated — are surrounded by authentic Aboriginal artifacts and five colorful murals. The $14 million project is the first part of a multi-faceted plan to bring Australia’s unique wildlife and culture to New Mexico. The final phase of the Australian exhibit, expected to open in late 2025, will be a Dryland and Freshwater Country experience with kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, emus, wallabies and other Australian wildlife. Additionally, Ben, the 4-year-old Andean bear, has found a new home at the ABQ BioPark. The Andean bear, also called the spectacled bear for its distinctive facial features resembling eyeglasses, is a new species at the ABQ BioPark.
The ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden broke ground this winter on the highly anticipated “Lebanon and Beyond” garden after more than two years in development. This immersive new exhibit will bring Lebanon and the Mediterranean's landscapes, architecture and cultural richness to Albuquerque.
New Restaurants
Photo Credit: Facebook
In Albuquerque, it’s easy to find numerous restaurants that offer traditional, time-honored New Mexican dishes. The culinary scene in Albuquerque, however, is becoming increasingly known for its mix of creative creations, diverse offerings and blend of cultural influences. No matter your preference, the city’s cuisine satisfies the widest range of tastes and styles. With so many restaurants to choose from, our food scene is always a solid reason to visit Albuquerque. Here is a list of some new restaurants to check out when you visit in 2025:
- Brekki Brekki is a new breakfast restaurant and bar in the Northeast Heights. Dine on a light brunch or hearty lunch, or sip on a refreshing drink.
- Gimani is a new pizza joint in Uptown that serves pizza flights and soft gelato.
- The Smoky Note is a Nob Hill lounge located in a former fire station. Sip on a cocktail and enjoy live entertainment.
- Miches is a South Valley spot that specializes in ceviche and micheladas.
- The Landing with Pizza 9 offers Chicago-style pizza and other bar fare near the Albuquerque International Sunport.
- Park Square Market, a curated food hall in the Uptown area, will open in the spring of 2025.
Early in the new year, Visit Albuquerque is set to launch two digital passports focused on breweries and wineries in Albuquerque.
New Museum Exhibits to See
Albuquerque museums offer a fun and fascinating look at unique aspects of the city. Check out some of the exhibits below that can be seen at Albuquerque museums in 2025.
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science
- The new permanent “Ancient Life” exhibit is expected to open in early 2025. Nearly 300 fossils and other objects from the museum’s collection will be on display. Visitors will be able to learn about prehistoric life before the dinosaurs during the Paleozoic era in New Mexico.
- National Hispanic Cultural Center
- “Rendered Presence: Artistas de Nuevo México” explores art created by artists living and working in New Mexico. Each piece explores identity, art history and the expanse of Hispanic, Chicano and Latino contemporary art. The exhibit runs through July 27, 2025.
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
- The 44th Annual Native American Student Art Show showcases artwork from Native American students in grades K-12. This year’s theme is “Water is Life.” The exhibit runs through Feb. 6, 2025.
- Explora
- Explora partnered with The Jennifer Riordan Foundation to create a new exhibit called “The Science of Kindness.” This interactive opportunity allows visitors to explore neurochemistry, psychology and other science related to the giving and receiving of kindness.
Tent Rocks Reopens to the Public
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, a beloved hiking and recreation area near Albuquerque, is back open. The monument had been closed for four years. Visitors must make an online reservation in advance. Tent Rocks encompasses unique geological wonders of cone-shaped rock formations caused by volcanic eruptions 6 to 7 million years ago.
Exciting Events Coming to Albuquerque
Photo Credit: Will Huston courtesy of Gathering of Nations Limited
No matter the time of year, Albuquerque is full of exciting, unique events that don’t happen anywhere else. This is just a sampling of the many events you can experience in Albuquerque. To find more, visit the ABQ365 events calendar.
- Gathering of Nations Pow Wow: From April 24-26, 2025, the Gathering of Nations will bring over 565 tribes from around the United States and 220 from Canada to Albuquerque to participate in the largest pow wow in North America. Guests can wander aisles of shopping vendors throughout the Indian Traders Market and enjoy Native foods, a Horse & Rider Parade and music on Stage 49 — featuring the best in Native American music performances and entertainment.
- AMP Concerts’ “Winrock Free Concert Series”: Six concerts are scheduled for the summer of 2025 at the amphitheater at The Park at Winrock Town Center.
- Festival Flamenco Alburquerque: Experience a festival that hosts more than 50 flamenco dancers and musicians from around the globe with a series of extraordinary performances and classes right here in the flamenco capital of the United States. Produced and presented by the National Institute of Flamenco, Festival Flamenco Alburquerque offers a unique opportunity to witness world-class performances, learn from renowned artists and connect with a vibrant community of flamenco students, fans and aficionados. The 2025 festival takes place June 20-28.
- Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque: The largest and most comprehensive mariachi concert and conference event in the country will take place July 9-12, 2025.
- New Mexico State Fair: Happening Sept. 4-14, 2025, the New Mexico State Fair is a celebration of New Mexican agriculture, food, art and more. Enjoy live performances, exhibits, competitions and lots of fun.
- Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: The weather in Albuquerque is widely considered to be the best in the world for ballooning. In addition to year-round balloon ride offerings, each fall, pilots, crews and spectators from all over the world come to the city for the ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the world's largest hot air ballooning event. Taking place Oct. 4-12, 2025, visitors can get insider tips, learn more about Balloon Fiesta and find the best places to eat and things to do during their stay in the “Hot Air Ballooning Capital of the World” with this Guide to Visiting Albuquerque for Balloon Fiesta.
- FUSION’s “Rising High Arts Festival”: Back for a second year, this festival includes 11 days of arts activities in downtown Albuquerque from Oct. 9-19, 2025.
- New Mexico Lowrider Fest: Every year in October, lowriders cruise downtown Albuquerque in a celebration of the classic cars, which are works of art on four wheels.
E-Scooters Hit Albuquerque Streets
In fall 2024, the San Francisco-based micromobility company Spin installed e-scooter stations throughout the city. Locations of the e-scooter stations can be found on Spin’s free mobile phone application. Lime Micromobility also installed 52 e-scooter stations to house its fleet of 500 e-scooters in the city. The e-scooter station locations and rental rates can be found on the free Lime or Uber mobile phone application.
