Socorro gears up for packed event season at Sports Complex and Rodeo Arena, across city venues

From rodeo competitions and wrestling tournaments to art strolls and chile tastings, Socorro is preparing for a full slate of events this spring, summer and fall, with activities planned at the Sports Complex and Rodeo Arena, Escondida Lake and the downtown plaza.

City Tourism and Events Coordinator Cheyenne Cortez said the 2026 calendar includes returning favorites and new additions, many of which are expected to draw visitors from across New Mexico.

Recreation coordinator Daryl Ross said the Sports Complex is already filling up.

 “There’s going to be a lot happening this year,” he said. “We’re excited to get the season going.”

March opens with Sharon George Barrel Racing on March 7–8, followed by the New Mexico High School and Junior High Rodeo on March 21–22 and a Junior Rodeo on March 28–29.

Ross said the high school and junior high rodeo is one of the arena’s biggest youth events. 

“They come from all over New Mexico,” he said. “It brings in a lot of families, and it’s a great weekend for the community.”

April brings the annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 4 at the Sports Complex field. Ross said the event typically draws around 300 children.

 “The kids clear the field in about an hour,” he said. “It’s quick, but they love it.” Ross also said there will be another event at the same time, or after the Easter egg hunt but details are not available yet.

The NM Territory Cowboy Mounted Shooters return April 11–12, followed by the Socorro Archery Invitational on April 17–19. Cortez said the city’s Youth Fishing Derby will also return in early April at Escondida Lake.

May features Super 6 Team Roping (May 9–10), New Mexico Tech’s graduation (May 16 at 10 a.m.) and Socorro High School’s commencement (May 16 at 5 p.m.).

June includes the RMN Wrestling Tournament (June 5–6), additional team roping events and another Sharon George Barrel Race (June 27–28). Ross said the wrestling tournaments consistently draw statewide participation.

 “You get people from everywhere, all age groups,” he said. “The second day is always the biggest.”

The city’s Independence Day celebration returns July 4 at the Sports Complex, followed by the Kenneth Atwood Jackpot Team Roping (July 10–11), the Under the Lights Wrestling Tournament (July 17–18) and another barrel race (July 25–26).

Cortez said the city also plans to revive Hot August Nights, a community music and food event likely to take place mid‑August.

Labor Day weekend will feature the County Fair NPR Rodeo at the Complex, followed by the PRCA Rodeo (Sept. 4–5), the World Series of Team Roping (Sept. 19–20) and the NM Territory Cowboy Shooters (Sept. 26–27).

October includes the annual Chile Taste‑Off at the Complex and Socorro Fest on the plaza, alongside the Chile Festival (Oct. 3), Super 6 Team Roping (Oct. 17–18), Sharon George Barrel Race (Oct. 24–25) and the Lasso Loop Lineup mountain bike race (Oct. 25).

The Festival of the Cranes will host events at the Convention Center during the first week of December, followed by the Luminaria Art Stroll and the Fire Department Matanza on the plaza the first Saturday of the month.

Cortez said final dates will be confirmed with partner agencies, but most events are expected to follow their traditional schedules.

Ross said the growing number of promoters and organizations booking the arena shows how much the venue has evolved.

 “We’re getting more groups every year,” he said. “People know they can come here, put on a good event and the community will show up.”