Any weekend, you can find plays, musicals, and concerts to entertain you at one of our many venues. The first Friday of every month is a wonderful time to enjoy art, refreshments, and conversation downtown at the aptly named First Friday Art Ramble. Each Saturday morning, wander down to the Farmers and Crafts Markets of Las Cruces and enjoy the kettle corn, fresh food, and gorgeous crafts provided by local artisans. You’ll find gorgeous murals all around town, so keep your eyes peeled, and don't forget to check out the audio walking tour!

Created in 1978 by the New Mexico Legislature, the Department of Cultural Affairs represents New Mexico's dedication to preserving and celebrating the cultural integrity and diversity of our state. The Department oversees a broad range of New Mexico's arts and cultural heritage agencies. These include 15 divisions representing a variety of programs and services.

(505) 827-6364

Established in 1971, DAAC proudly serves Las Cruces and Doña Ana County with art events, festivals, education, support, and advocacy. Their mission is to through the arts, to enhance the quality of life and develop the cultural, educational, and economic growth of our community.

250 W. Amador Ave.

(575) 523-6403

Amble around the Downtown area listening to information about local historical buildings. Locations include the Phillips Chapel CME Church, Klein Park, Sunshine Grocery, the Jardin de Mesquite, and Entrada del Sol as well as multiple family homes.

If you are looking to learn more about agriculture in our area, head to the Farm and Ranch. There are many wonderful exhibits — permanent and rotating — as well as local artists’ works. For a wonderfully informative time, make sure to visit during Cowboy Days in March when the blacksmith demonstrates his craft and the ranchers show off the different cattle raised in our area. Any time of year you can see the livestock that make our part of the country great. 

4100 Dripping Springs Rd.

(575) 522-4100 

Recently remodeled, the Zuhl Museum on the NMSU campus is one-of-a-kind. You will be stunned by the massive dinosaur bones, petrified wood slabs, crystals, meteorites, dinosaur eggs, and more.  

775 College Drive

(575) 646-4714

The Museum of Art hosts changing contemporary art exhibits and offers programs for visitors of all ages. The Museum also runs an extensive art studio class program.

491 N. Main St.

(575) 541-2137

This museum is about looking and understanding — looking up to the stars, looking out to the desert, and looking down to see ancient fossils. All of the permanent exhibit text and labels are presented in both English and Spanish.

411 N. Main St.

(575) 522-3120

Located in a historic Santa Fe Railroad depot, the Las Cruces Railroad Museum interprets the railroad history of Las Cruces and the impact of the railroad on southern New Mexico.

351 N. Mesilla St.

(575) 528-3444

The Branigan Cultural Center hosts changing cultural exhibits, as well as educational programs, classes, and other special events. The building is on the National and State Registries of Historic Buildings.

501 N. Main St.

(575) 541-2154

ASNMSU Center for the Arts hosts many of New Mexico State University’s artistic performances. Original performances, as well as famous ballets such as The Nutcracker, take place on the theatre’s stage. Orchestra concerts, artistic presentations, and cultural events frequent the performance space.

1000 E. University Ave. 

(575) 646-4515 (box office) 

The Black Box Theatre was built as a home for The No Strings Theatre Company in 2000. NSTC is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding theatre horizons in Las Cruces by presenting contemporary or little-known works overlooked by other companies in the city, providing an opportunity for local playwrights to develop new works, and creating opportunities for Las Crucens to see less traditional theatre forms such as puppet theatre, improvisation, and performance art.

430 N. Main St. 

(575) 523-1223 

Located on NMSU’s campus, the Atkinson Recital Hall is home to the music department and a wonderful venue to enjoy musicals, symphony performances and ballet. 

1075 N. Horseshoe Drive

(575) 646-2421

After buying the Fountain Theatre building in 1905, Albert Fountain Jr. began producing plays, vaudeville, light opera, and lantern slide shows. In 1912, he modified the building for films and changed the name to “Fountain of Pleasure.” Albert Jr. and his family supplied live music for the films. In 1977, Arthur’s son Artie (fifth generation) began to show films and in 1989, he rented the building to the newly-formed Mesilla Valley Film Society (MVFS). The MVFS began screening American independent, foreign, and alternative films.

2469 Calle de Guadalupe, Mesilla 

(575) 524-8287 

Las Cruces’ oldest community theatre was founded as a nonprofit in 1963. The theatre is doing a great job of bringing quality live productions to our community. 

313 N. Main St.

(575) 523-1200

Project In Motion develops collaborative audio/video, theatrical, terrestrial, and aerial dance productions and performs on traditional aerial apparatuses, as well as custom-built devices and set pieces of their own design. They seek to afford artists and the community the opportunity to experiment and develop the world of performance through creative workshops and collaborative projects.

430 N. Compress Rd. 

(575) 208-4413 

The Rio Grande Theatre, originally built in 1926, is a restored performing arts center in the heart of Downtown Las Cruces. It is the only operating two-story adobe theater in the country and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater features a wide selection of entertainment from local, regional, and national recording artists and performing arts, to a classic film series and Saturday children’s matinee program. The theater now serves concessions and refreshments including snacks, soft drinks, beer, and wine.

211 N. Main St.

(575) 541-2290 

3206 Harrelson St.

(575) 494-7256 

1045 N. Main St.

(575) 523-1012 

925 N. Mesquite St.

(575) 224-6760

3655 Canyon Ridge Arc

(575) 640-9836

925 S. Walnut Ave.

(575) 526-6101

618 S. Alameda Blvd.

(575) 526-3326

221 N. Main St.

(575) 525-1367 

501 E. Hadley Ave.

(575) 224-6760

2470A Calle de Guadalupe 

(575) 522-2933 

340 N. Mesquite St.

1308 E. University Ave.

(575) 646-2545 

1280 E. University Ave. 

(575) 646-5161 

2260 Calle de Santiago

(575) 524-0538 

317 N. Main St. 

(575) 405-6063 

Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces 

2000 S. Solano Drive

(575) 522-7281

*****

Visit the ring museum inside of Austin's Fine Jewelry. You will be amazed at the variety of rings, from rare to unusual to stunning and even funny. Admission is free, and you’ll see a wide variety of rings from all over the world and from every era.