Happy Anniversary! In 2026, the iconic Route 66 enjoys its 100-year celebration while the United States enters its 250th year. Predating both the Mother Road and the nation, Albuquerque’s birthday is celebrated in April, commemorating the founding of the Villa de Alburquerque by Spanish settlers on the east bank of the Rio Grande in 1706. Celebrate the city’s 320th birthday in the historic Old Town Plaza, where mariachis, flamenco performers, artisans and community will convene on April 18, 2026. Pop a bottle of Brut 66 from Gruet Winery (or Neon Road, a special edition red blend from Sheehan Winery) to get the party started.
Brut 66 just chilling out.
There are many anniversaries to celebrate in Albuquerque this year. Show your love to some outstanding local businesses who have made a generational mark on the city.
Hotel Parq Central (AT&SF Hospital) - 100 Years
Though the hotel opened in 2010, its historic walls date back to 1926, the same year Route 66 came through Albuquerque, when it opened as the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Hospital. Hotel Parq Central merges the elegant Italianate architecture with contemporary comforts, spacious courtyards and the Apothecary Lounge, a renowned rooftop bar with stunning sunset views.
Street view of the Hotel Parq Central with two hot air balloons floating above. Photo courtesy of Hotel Parq Central on Facebook.
Pimentel Guitars - 75 Years
The Pimentel family has crafted some of the nation’s finest instruments in New Mexico since 1951. Following an apprenticeship in his brother’s small shop in Mexico at age 14, Lorenzo Pimentel opened his own guitar store in Carlsbad, New Mexico, in 1951. Guitarmaking has been passed down through the Pimentel family for generations, with their Albuquerque shop being a major destination for musicians and appreciators of fine woodwork. Read more about the Pimentels’ generational guitar craftsmanship.
Brothers Victor, Rick and Robert Pimentel, holding their handcrafted guitars.
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway - 60 Years
The longest aerial tram in North America was built in Albuquerque in 1966 by Robert Nordhaus, a lawyer and avid sportsman. Nordhaus was inspired by a trip to Switzerland, where the ski slopes were lined with aerial trams to lift skiers to tall peaks. With the help of his good friend Ben Abruzzo, hot air balloonist and skier, the two established the Sandia Peak Ski Area and the iconic tramway. The tram’s maiden voyage was on May 7, 1966. Today, ascend over 10,000 feet to witness breathtaking views of Albuquerque and the endless desert around it.
The tram scaling the Sandia Mountains in winter. Photo courtesy of Jay Blackwood.
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center - 50 Years
The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center celebrates its golden anniversary, marking 50 years since it first opened its doors on the site of the Albuquerque Indian School in 1976. In 1969, the 19 Pueblos collectively petitioned the federal government to grant a few acres of the Albuquerque Indian School land for a new cultural center that would generate economic activity, opportunities and cultural continuity for Pueblo people. Since opening, the IPCC has grown its permanent collection of pottery, jewelry, textiles, photos and more to over 4,000 objects, becoming a premiere archive for Pueblo history and culture.
Zuni dancers perform at the IPCC courtyard. Photo courtesy of Mark Read Photography.
Don’t miss Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery at the Cultural Center during your visit. This landmark exhibition features both contemporary and ancestral Pueblo pottery. Sixty Pueblo artists and experts curated it together, representing the 19 Northern Pueblos, the Hopi tribe of Arizona and the West Texas community of Ysleta del Sur. The exhibition first debuted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in 2023.
Albuquerque Pride - 50 Years
In June 1976, a small group of university students marched from Central Avenue (Route 66) and Morningside Drive to Morningside Park as a declaration of LGBTQ+ resilience. This march was part of a nationwide movement to express pride and allyship. Find the Morningside intersection in Nob Hill painted in the rainbow colors of the Pride flag. 2026’s march will occur on June 6, 2026, along historic Route 66.
Albuquerque Pride Parade.
New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science - 40 Years
Dig into New Mexico’s natural wonders, ancient seas, and dinosaur fossils at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science, ringing in its 40th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1986, this incredible museum is home to some of New Mexico’s “oldest” residents: the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Gordodon, Eoscansor and over 300 fossils on view. The museum reopens after a major renovation on April 4, 2026, with refreshed exhibits, infrastructure and new interactive experiences.
Two dinosaur fossil replicas on display at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.
Downtown Growers Market - 30 Years
The Downtown Growers Market at Robinson Park is Albuquerque’s longest-running farmers’ market, hosting over 100 vendors, local artists and musicians every Saturday, April through November. Visitors seeking a glimpse into Albuquerque’s warm community should look no further than the Growers Market.
Shoppers browsing pastries at the Downtown Growers Market.
Open Space Visitor Center - 20 Years
The Open Space Visitor Center celebrates its 20th year in operation on Albuquerque’s serene Westside. It offers interpretive exhibits and cultural resources on the land it protects. Visitors can enjoy the quiet art gallery, 24 acres of agriculture fields and sweeping views of the Sandia Mountain range. The Open Space is also a prime location for birdwatching.
Exterior view of the Open Space Visitor Center.
The Grove Cafe & Market - 20 Years
Another local icon established in 2006, The Grove Cafe & Market is a hot spot for brunch with a selection of fresh, leafy plates and a vast beverage menu. The cafe’s sunny, enclosed greenhouse patio is a great way to enjoy Albuquerque’s temperate climate over a delicious meal. I personally recommend the smoked salmon and salad.
Delicious plates from The Grove Cafe & Market.
The New Mexico Rail Runner - 20 Years
On July 14, 2006, New Mexico’s first commuter rail service began in central New Mexico – the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. The train has four stops in Albuquerque/Bernalillo County, and stretches south to Belen and north to Santa Fe. The Rail Runner is great for a relaxed day trip, where visitors can enjoy sweeping views of New Mexico’s landscape. During Balloon Fiesta and select holidays, the train holds special events and schedules to accommodate visitors.
The New Mexico Rail Runner Express standing still at the Alvarado Transporation Center in Downtown Albuquerque.
