🐐 Rio Rancho - 100% Chance of Goats + 40 Things To Do (Oct 16–18)

Duke City Parents has grown so much lately, and we're ready to start bringing Albuquerque parents together in real life!

We want to start hosting events where you can meet other parents, make friends, and get out with your kids. But first, we want to hear from you.

This is one of those places our family looks forward to every fall. There's so much to do that you could visit multiple times and still find something you missed the last time around.

And it has a pretty cool backstory. Max and Michelle Wade started Galloping Grace Youth Ranch in 2006 to give kids hands-on ranch experiences. They began selling pumpkins to help fund the nonprofit, and that little roadside stand eventually grew into the Galloping Goat Pumpkin Patch families visit today.

Want a closer look? Check out our Instagram reel of Galloping Goats.

Here's what you'll find:

When: Daily, 9 AM–6 PM, through Oct 31 (weather permitting)

Where: Rio Rancho Events Center's upper southwest parking lot, 3001 Civic Center Cir NE, Rio Rancho

Cost: $11.99 for kids ages 3–17, $13.99 for adults, and $12.99 for seniors (55+) and military with ID, plus tax. Ages 2 and under are free. Season passes are $29.99. Pumpkins are priced separately, starting at $1.

Good to know: The petting zoo is $3 and includes a cup of feed (extra cups are 50¢). Kids 2 and under are free there with a paid adult, and weekday availability can vary. The paintball target range has a small extra fee too. Outside food and drinks are allowed, but weekday food options are limited to packaged snacks at the front desk. Cooked food is available on weekends. Cards and digital payments only, no cash. You can also buy pumpkins without paying admission by asking at the front desk.

Pro hockey is back in New Mexico for the first time in nearly 20 years. The New Mexico Goatheads are a brand-new ECHL team affiliated with the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, and they're playing their first-ever home games this weekend at the Rio Rancho Events Center.

All three games are against the Idaho Steelheads, and there's a giveaway for early arrivals at every game. Sunday's 3 PM puck drop is also a little friendlier for families trying to protect bedtime.

Home stand schedule

When: Friday and Saturday at 7 PM; Sunday at 3 PM

Where: Rio Rancho Events Center, 3001 Civic Center Cir NE, Rio Rancho

Cost: Tickets start at $25 for Friday and $17 for Saturday and Sunday, through Ticketmaster.

Good to know: Arrive early if you want a giveaway. We couldn't confirm whether Friday's game is sold out.

MORE THIS WEEKEND

Friday, Oct 16

Cosmic Baseball: Chili Peppers vs. Glow Mojis
Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park
First pitch 7:30 PM · Resale from $37 on StubHub

Wolf Awareness Day
ABQ BioPark Zoo
10 AM–2 PM · Included with zoo admission: $10 adults, $5 ages 3–12 (NM residents)
Keeper chat at 11:30 AM. Non-residents pay $19.50 adults, $11 ages 3–12. Free ages 2 and under.

Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Decorating
National Hispanic Cultural Center gift shop
11 AM–3 PM · $20
Runs Fri and Sat

Conversations with Collections
Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Rd NW
10 AM–12 PM · Included with museum admission ($5–$6 adults, $4 seniors, $3 ages 4–12)

Nuclear Past, Present, and Future: Art in Action
National Hispanic Cultural Center
10 AM–4 PM · Free for ages 16 & under; $6 adults ($5 NM residents)
Runs Fri–Sun

Old Town Walking Tours
Meets at the Albuquerque Museum
11 AM–12 PM · Included with museum admission ($5–$6 adults, $4 seniors, $3 ages 4–12)

Botanic Garden Story Time
ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden
10:30 AM · Included with garden admission: $12 adults, $7 ages 3–12 (NM residents)
Non-residents pay $21.50 adults, $13 ages 3–12. Free ages 2 and under.

Bookworks Story Time
Bookworks
10:30 AM · FREE

Preschool Storytime at Main
Main Library
10:30–11 AM · FREE

Baby/Toddler Storytime
Tony Hillerman Library, 10:15–11 AM
Lomas Tramway Library, 10:30–11 AM
South Valley Library, 11 AM–12 PM · FREE

Jigsaw Puzzle Table / Scavenger Hunt
Juan Tabo Library
All day · FREE

Saturday, Oct 17

Cosmic Carnival and Star Party
Open Space Visitor Center, 6500 Coors Blvd NW
Carnival 1–5 PM · Star Party 6–10 PM · FREE

Downtown Growers' Market
Robinson Park
8 AM–12 PM · FREE

Rockin' Art Saturdays / Festive October Fun
Los Ranchos Growers' & Art Market
8 AM–12 PM · FREE

Expo NM Flea Market
Expo New Mexico
7 AM–3 PM · $2 walk-up admission; parking $10 per carload (includes admission)

Día Del Rio Bosque Cleanup
Tingley Beach (meet at the Train Station)
9 AM–12 PM · FREE
Volunteer event

10th Annual Albuquerque Chinese American Film Festival
South Broadway Cultural Center
9 AM–5 PM · FREE ($10 suggested donation)

Pumpkin Patch Weekend at The Block
Rio Rancho
11 AM–5 PM · FREE
Drop off a non-perishable food donation for Storehouse West and take home a pumpkin. Face painting 12–5 PM, plus a free outdoor movie (Ernest Scared Stupid) at 7 PM.

Bernalillo Fiesta de Música y Cultura
Rotary Park, 370 Rotary Park Rd, Bernalillo
2–4 PM · FREE

Family Art Workshops
Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Rd NW
1–2:30 PM · Included with museum admission ($5–$6 adults, $4 seniors, $3 ages 4–12)
This week: sculpt 'Funny Fair Foods' in clay

Slow Looking
Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Rd NW
2–4 PM · Included with museum admission ($5–$6 adults, $4 seniors, $3 ages 4–12)
Registration required

Cellicion Zuni Dance Group
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St NW
11 AM and 2 PM · Included with admission ($15 adults, $10 NM residents, $8 seniors and ages 5–17, free under 5)
Also Sunday

Stitching Balloon Designs
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St NW
9 AM–5 PM · Included with admission ($15 adults, $10 NM residents, $8 seniors and ages 5–17, free under 5)

Day of the Dead Sugar Skull Decorating
National Hispanic Cultural Center
11 AM–3 PM · $20

Goth Gardens Trunk-or-Treat Plant Swap
Goth Gardens, 1307 Eubank Blvd NE
2–4 PM · FREE

Trunk or Treat + Haunted House
Joan Jones Community Center
7–9 PM · FREE

Storybook STEAM Club
International District Library
10:30 AM–12 PM · FREE

LEGO Club
Juan Tabo Library
11 AM–12 PM · FREE

Saturday Shake and Shimmy
South Valley Library
11 AM–12 PM · FREE

Family Movie: Coco
Main Library
11 AM–1 PM · FREE

Read to the Dogs
Cherry Hills Library, 1–3 PM
Rudolfo Anaya Library, 3–4 PM · FREE

Sunday, Oct 18

Duke City Marathon
Downtown
Marathon starts 7 AM at Civic Plaza (half marathon 7:15 AM, 5K 7:30 AM)

Free Sunday Mornings
Albuquerque Museum and Balloon Museum
9 AM–1 PM · FREE

Corrales Growers' Market
500 Jones Rd, Corrales
9 AM–12 PM · FREE

CiQlovía
Kathryn Ave SE, International District
10 AM–2 PM · FREE

Rail Yards Market
777 1st St SW
10 AM–2 PM · FREE

Cellicion Zuni Dance Group
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St NW
11 AM and 2 PM · Included with admission ($15 adults, $10 NM residents, $8 seniors and ages 5–17, free under 5)

Viva, La Calavera! Sugar Skull Door Hanger
Mama's Minerals, 2500 12th St NW
12–2 PM · $38
All materials included. There's also a second seating 3–5 PM.

Car Show "On a Sunday Afternoon"
Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain Rd NW
12–4 PM · FREE

Sunday Matinee Movie: Dark Shadows (PG-13)
Central & Unser Library
1:30–3:30 PM · FREE

Family Movie
International District Library
2–4 PM · FREE

Worth the Drive 🎃

McCall's Pumpkin Patch & Haunted Farm
2 McCall Ln, Moriarty (30–45 min east of ABQ)
Pumpkin patch: Fri 12–6 PM, Sat–Sun 10 AM–6 PM, through Oct 31 · From $19.99
Kids 2 & under free. The Haunted Farm runs Fri and Sat nights, 7 PM–midnight, $40.99 per person, online reservations only, and isn't recommended for kids under 13.

Part coffee shop, part home decor store, Marketplace Coffee + Tea is a fun little find on Albuquerque’s Northeast side. And if you’re someone who likes browsing little shops while enjoying a good coffee, this one is worth checking out.

While you wait for your drink, you can wander through the shop and browse unique home decor, gifts, and all kinds of little finds. They even have a section with things for the kids, including Warmies, dolls, and other fun trinkets. Just a heads-up: you might leave with a little more than you came for.

The coffee menu is what really caught my attention. They have everything from specialty coffee made with a Chemex to blackberry lattes, matcha mint, London Fogs, and even latte flights. There’s hot chocolate and apple cider, too, so there’s something for just about everyone.

I tried one of the barista specials, a salted caramel shaken espresso topped with Marketplace cold foam, and it was a fun twist on a classic. Pair your drink with one of their pastries or grab a snack while you browse.

Whether you’re looking for a new coffee spot, need a gift, or just want somewhere to spend a little time, this is a fun one to add to your list.

Where: 8600 Pan American Fwy NE, Suite B, Albuquerque, NM 87113

Website: poulinmarketplace.com/marketplace-coffee

Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–5 PM; Saturday, 8 AM–3 PM; closed Sunday

Cost: Around $3–$15 per person. Expect to spend about $15 if you grab a coffee and pastry.

Good to know: High chairs are available, and dogs are welcome on the patio. They're closed Sundays, so plan your visit for a weekday or Saturday.

If you know another Albuquerque parent who would enjoy Duke City Parents, we'd love your help spreading the word.

Just forward this email to them, or copy the link below and send it their way. Every new parent who joins helps us build a bigger community here in ABQ.

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