June
We can finally go to a concert again, and Live Nation already has a decent line-up for the summer at Isleta Amphitheater. Sugary-sweet ’90s boy band Backstreet Boys are making a return with their DNA World Tour on Sat. June 11 at 7:30pm. Tickets range from $39-54. Country star Luke Combs is coming to town with his What You See is What You Get Tour on June 22 at 7pm. Tickets are a bit on the pricey side, starting from $188-205.
Get outside and explore Duke City’s plethora of breweries with the Routes Bicycles Bike & Brew Tours. The tour is an all-inclusive behind-the-scenes experience, with a visit to three-plus breweries/taprooms and a tasting of over 12 styles of beer. Shared appetizers, bottled water and pub collectibles are also included in the ticket price of $60-65. Tours take place every other Sunday. Book your tour at routesrentals.com/tours.
July
Main Street Roswell has added a new component to the kitschy UFO Festival and is now hosting the first annual AlienFest, July 1-3. Not to worry, the UFO Festival is still happening July 2-4 and you can get your VIP or RV tickets at ufofestival.com/. The nonprofit says the otherworldly festival was created to “support local merchants and the economy while celebrating the mystery around the UFO crash in 1947.” Do you believe?
The annual Festival Flamenco is back with a fierce vengeance July 13-17 at Albuquerque’s National Institute of Flamenco & Conservatory of Flamenco Arts. The schedule is jam-packed with a two-week kids flamenco and classical guitar camp, flamenco performances from world-renowned artists and workshops. Sign up for the camps/workshops and buy your tickets to the exclusive performances at ffiabq.org/.
After the year from hell, who doesn’t want to take a break and sip some wine in the mountains? Head down south to the ski town of Ruidoso for the 50th annual Ruidoso Art and Wine Festival, July 31-Aug 1 at the Ruidoso Convention Center. Tickets are quite reasonable starting at $6 for admission without wine, (why would anyone NOT want wine?) and $16 for a little sip ‘n stroll. Check out the details at discoverruidoso.com/calendar-of-events/ruidoso-art-and-wine-festival.
August
The Town of Red River is hosting its toe-tapping 46th annual Bluegrass and Traditional Music Festival, August 13-15. The line-up features featuring concerts, jamming, workshops and open mic nights. Ticket prices for the full festival are $54 and students get a sweet deal for just $27. Check out the festival details at redriver.org/event/bluegrass-festival/
No summer in Albuquerque would be complete without a metal concert. Metal gods Megadeth & Lamb of God are ready to blow your eardrums at Isleta Amphitheater, Aug 25 at 6pm. Lawn seats are only $25. And if you want to brave the mosh pit, it’s a paltry $249.
September
The beginning of Sept is still technically summer, and this event was too cool not to feature: The White Sands Balloon and Music Festival is a one-of-a-kind Balloon and Music Festival that is family-friendly and has a bit of something for everyone. The event makes its 2021 return Sat. Sept 10. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy food, arts and crafts, beer and wine vendors, with an amazing view of the Sacramento Mountains just outside of Alamogordo. There’s plenty of room to spread out and social distance, so get your tickets at eventbrite.com/e/white-sands-balloon-and-music-festival-2021-tickets-97214123059