👋 Good morning, Albuquerque!
It’s a nice, long weekend, which means an extra day to entertain the kids! Luckily, there’s no shortage of things happening around town.
And the best part? We’re finally getting some 80-degree weather! Okay, it might still hit 88°, but after what feels like a few years of 90s, I’ll take it.
From green chile and baseball to free movies, hikes, art, and plenty of ways to get outside, there’s something for just about every kind of weekend.
So, whether you’re looking to fill the whole weekend or just need one good thing to get the kids out of the house, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s get into it.
THIS WEEK'S EVENT
Music Under the Stars with the New Mexico Philharmonic
There aren’t many nights where you can throw a blanket in the car, let the kids run around a garden, and listen to a full orchestra under the stars. This Saturday is one of them.
The New Mexico Philharmonic is taking over the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden for an outdoor concert featuring everything from the Superman March to The Stars and Stripes Forever. And because it’s outside, you don’t have to worry about the kids sitting perfectly still in a concert hall. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs, pack a picnic, and let them hang out in the grass while the music plays.
Gates open early, so you can explore the gardens before the concert starts. Kids tickets start at just $10, and children 2 and under are free, making this a pretty affordable family night out.
One thing to know: parking at the Botanic Garden is limited. A free shuttle will run from the zoo parking lot starting at 5:30 PM, with return shuttles running until 9:30 PM. And bring a light jacket, because as I mentioned we are finally under 90s which can be a shock to the system (especially when the sun goes down).
When: Saturday, September 5, gates 6 PM, music at 7:15 PM
Where: ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave NW
Cost: From $10 youth (3 to 12), $25 adult, free for 2 and under
MORE THIS WEEKEND
Friday, September 4
Isotopes vs. Tacoma Rainiers, ASL Night + Fireworks — Isotopes Park
Time: 6:35pm | Price: From ~$12Free First Friday — Anderson Abruzzo Balloon Museum
Time: 9am–5pm | Price: FreePreschool Storytime — Main Library, downtown
Time: 10:30–11:30am | Price: FreeFirst Friday Fractals — NM Museum of Natural History Planetarium
Time: Evening showings | Price: Ticketed
Saturday, September 5
Family Nature Club: Exploring Elena — Elena Gallegos Open Space
Time: 10am–noon | Price: Free program, $2 per vehicle parkingVamos! Experience the Arts — National Hispanic Cultural Center
Time: 10am–noon | Price: FreeDowntown Growers' Market, 30th Anniversary — Robinson Park
Time: 8am–noon | Price: FreeLos Ranchos Growers' & Art Market — 6718 Rio Grande Blvd NW
Time: 8–11am | Price: FreeIsotopes vs. Tacoma Rainiers — Isotopes Park, Lobos hat to first 2,000 fans
Time: 1:35pm | Price: From ~$13Family Art Workshops — Albuquerque Museum
Time: 1–2:30pm | Price: From $3Cactus and Succulent Show — ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden
Time: 10am–4pm | Price: Included with garden admissionFamily Movie: The Lion King — South Broadway Library
Time: 1pm | Price: FreeFamily Movie: A Goofy Movie — International District Library
Time: 3pm | Price: Free
Sunday, September 6
Rail Yards Market — 777 1st St SW
Time: 10am–2pm | Price: FreeIsotopes Bark in the Park — Isotopes Park, puppy parade at 1pm, dog bandanas to first 3,000 fans
Time: 1:35pm | Price: From ~$14Free Sunday Morning — Albuquerque Museum
Time: 9am–1pm | Price: FreeFree Sunday Morning — Anderson Abruzzo Balloon Museum
Time: 9am–1pm | Price: FreeFirst Sunday Free Admission — National Hispanic Cultural Center
Time: 10am–4pm | Price: FreeSunday Brunch Music: Tommy G & The Groove Puppies — Tiny Grocer ABQ, Old Town
Time: 11am–2pm | Price: Free
Monday, September 7
Power Ford Labor Day Car Show — 1101 Montano Rd NE. Hundreds of classic and modified cars and trucks, plus bounce houses, face painting, food trucks and a DJ.
Time: 9am–1pm | Price: Free for spectatorsToddler Time — Explora, ages 4 and under
Time: 9–11am | Price: From $7, free under 1BioPark Zoo, Aquarium, Botanic Garden and Tingley Beach — open regular hours
Time: 9am–5pm | Price: Regular admission
Heads up: the Albuquerque Museum, the Balloon Museum, all public libraries, and city community centers are closed Monday for the holiday.
Worth the drive
Fiesta de Santa Fe — Santa Fe Plaza, about an hour north
Time: All weekend | Price: Free to attend, individual events vary
TO DO
Green Chile Fest at Big Jim Farms
We have recommended Big Jim Farms before, but this weekend is packed with so many great things to do on the farm that we had to recommend it again.
The farm is open Saturday–Monday from 8 AM–6 PM, with different activities happening throughout the day. Here’s what you can expect:
Saturday, September 5
10 AM — NM Chile Pepper Institute Seminar 🌶️
Learn about chile varieties, growing, heat levels, plant care and the history of chile in New Mexico. Free, but registration is required.11 AM — Chef Richard Padilla Cooking Demo + Tastings 👨🍳
Watch Chef Richard cook with ingredients from the farm and sample what he makes. Free, but registration is required.12 PM — Kids Farm Field Trip 🚜
Kids rotate through five hands-on stations covering plants, soil, pollinators, farm animals and where their food comes from. Free, but registration is required.12–2 PM — Live Music: Micky Cruz 🎶
10 AM–2 PM — Local Vendors
Sunday, September 6
11 AM — Chef Richard Padilla Cooking Demo + Tastings
12 PM — Kids Farm Field Trip
11 AM–1 PM — Live Music: Felix Y Los Gatos 🎶
10 AM–2 PM — Local Vendors
Monday, September 7
11 AM — Chef Richard Padilla Cooking Demo + Tastings
12 PM — Kids Farm Field Trip
11 AM–12 PM — Live Music: Mariachi Tierra del Encanto 🎶
10 AM–2 PM — Local Vendors
🌻 And you can do these all weekend
You don't have to plan your entire visit around a schedule. The farm will also have:
🌶️ Green chile U-pick + roasting on-site
🧺 Pre-picked green chile if you'd rather skip the picking
🌸 U-pick flowers — $20
🍅 U-pick tomatoes and herbs
🐐 Farm animal encounters — meet, pet and feed the animals
👧 Kids' play area
📸 Farm photo areas
🥫 Salsa-making classes at 10 AM & 12 PM
🌸 Flower-arranging classes at 10 AM & 12 PM
🛍️ Farm stand + seasonal produce
A couple things to know: The free events have limited spots, so book ahead if your kids want to do the field trip or you want to attend one of the free demos. Some of the other experiences are ticketed, so check the booking page before you go.
When: Saturday–Monday, September 5–7 | 8 AM–6 PM
Where: Big Jim Farms, 3521 Rio Grande Blvd NW
Cost: Free admission + free parking. Green chile is $25/½ bushel, $35/bushel or $45/sack, with roasting for $5. U-pick flowers are $20. EBT is accepted, including Double Up benefit
DUKE CITY EATS
Gimani
After countless recommendations to try Gimani’s, I finally made it in this week.
Turns out the name behind it is deeply engrained in Albuquerque. The Casales have been making pizza here since 1977, when Michael Casale came over from Italy and opened Saggio's. Almost 50 years later, his grandkids Alanna Casale Brennan and Giannico Casale are putting their own spin on the family tradition at Gimani.
I ordered the Pepp: pepperoni, fresh and aged mozzarella, tomato, and hot honey. That was three days ago and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. The dough is naturally leavened (my sourdough bakers know what this means😂), so the crust has that chew and char you want from a good sourdough pizza, and the hot honey balances out the pepperoni perfectly. One slice is basically a meal on its own.
The menu is small on purpose, and I love that about the place. You can order by the slice, build a flight of four if you want to try a few. If your kids tend like to stick to pepperoni or cheese you can always just order the slices without the extra toppings!
The kids will also love the soft gelato. I didn't get it this trip, but I watched enough of them walk out the door with a swirl piled higher than the cup to know it's a hit.
Where: 2100 Louisiana Blvd NE #810, inside Winrock Town Center
Hours: Tues–Sun 11am–9pm, closed Monday
Cost: $8–20 per person
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See you next Thursday!
Jasmine & Jacob
Duke City Parents