Indian Market in Santa Fe is tradition like no other. Put on all your squash blossoms, turquoise, silver cuffs that you bought at Indian Market in years past and head to the Santa Fe Plaza to find some more. A woman can never have enough Indian jewelry!
Indian Market attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world and the location of your vacati.on rental is key to easy access to Indian Market. Parking is crazy and you want to be able to walk everywhere. Stay with Aqui Santa Fe vacation rentals within just a couple of blocks of the downtown Santa Fe plaza. You can’t beat beint able to walk your purchases back to your vacation home, dress for dinner and head back to downtown santa fe restaurants for dinner.
There is a rich history of Native American culture in New Mexico, especially in Santa Fe. This history is celebrated every year at the Southwestern Association of American Indian Art’s (SWAIA’s) Santa Fe Indian Market, a seven-day event that is open to the public. It takes place in August every year.
With humble beginnings over a century ago in 1922, the Santa Fe Indian market has steadily grown into the world’s largest juried Native American art show and one of the city’s most iconic and popular events. It features over 3,500 works from over 600 artists, and draws around 100,000 people every year. The whole week is a bustle of festivities celebrating the Best of Show, auctions, acknowledgments, fashion shows and the list goes on.
#1: Admire the art
No visit to the Santa Fe Indian Market is complete without spending at least a few hours strolling through the plaza and admiring the wide variety of art. You’ll find pottery, textiles, baskets, paintings, beadwork, silverwork, and much more. Artists represent more than 250 different Nations from the US and Canada, and their works adhere to centuries of tradition, so you can expect authentic and high-quality pieces.
#2: The Food
You’ll probably build up an appetite walking around the plaza, so be sure to stop by one of the Native American food vendors and grab a bite to eat. From Navajo tacos to fry bread, you can find a variety of delicious and authentic cuisine indigenous cuisine. While not a traditional staple of Native American food, Frito pie is a market staple that reflects New Mexico’s blend of native, Mexican, and Southwest cultures.
#3: Enjoy live music and other performances
Over the course of the weekend, there will be a variety of live music, dances, storytelling, and comedy shared by Native American performers on the plaza and Cathedral Walk from 9 AM through 5 PM.
#4: Watch the Native American Clothing Contest
The Native American Clothing contest is a market favorite and will usually takes place on Sunday. The contest includes men, women, and children who show off their different styles and designs of garments, many of which are handmade traditional regalia and clothing from their nation. It’s free to the public and a great break from perusing the art.
#5: See the latest fashion trends at the Indigenous Fashion Show
Taking place at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center Ballroom on Sunday from 3 – 4 PM, the Indigenous Fashion Show showcases the latest in innovative indigenous fashion designs from several premier designers. There are a few different ticket options available at different prices so you can find one that works with your budget. This is an incredible show!
If you’re coming to experience everything the 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market has to offer, Aqui Santa Fe can help ensure you have an unforgettable time. We have several enchanting and bespoke vacation homes for rent that offer a blend of sophistication and southwestern charm and make your experience our number one priority. Stay with us, and we guarantee you’ll love your time in the Land of Enchantment.