Taos Fall Arts Festival

View on map
MusicTaos
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
DurationAutumnEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsThe festival began modestly in 1974, staged
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Taos Fall Arts Festival in Taos

The Taos Fall Arts Festival is Taos County's flagship visual arts event, running about ten days from mid or late September into early October. Founded in 1974 and now in its sixth decade, it gathers more than two hundred local artists for a juried exhibition spanning painting, photography, sculpture, jewelry, fashion, and other media, alongside a poster competition, artist awards, and satellite gallery shows across the town of Taos.

Taos has drawn painters, sculptors, and photographers for more than a century, pulled in by dramatic high-desert light, the presence of Taos Pueblo and its Native artists, and a cultural mix of Hispanic, Indigenous, and Anglo traditions layered over generations.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival began modestly in 1974, staged in the homes of patrons who wanted to promote Taos artists, and organizer Barbara Brenner is still credited as the woman who started it all

02

The mystery stays covered

Over five decades it grew into a structured, juried, nonprofit event that has occupied venues including the Stables Gallery, the Taos Inn, the Taos Art Museum's Fechin Studio, the Old Courtroom on Taos Plaza, and its current home at Coronado Hall and Don Fernando Hall

03

The city starts moving

What sets it apart from a typical regional art fair is its layered award structure, honoring Hispano and Indigenous heritage artists through the Couse-Sharp Heritage Awards, emerging talent through Kids Give Back grants, and a lifetime body of work through the Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Central to the festival is its annual poster competition: a winning image becomes the year's official festival poster and is used across all promotional material

Water and renewal

Living ritual

with the winning artist given a dedicated gallery wall and a public poster-signing event

The sacred route

Living ritual

Award ceremonies recognize distinct categories

The local code

Living ritual

including the Couse-Sharp Heritage Awards

Tradition 5

Living ritual

which separately honor Hispano and Indigenous artists working in both traditional and contemporary styles

Tradition 6

Living ritual

reflecting the town's layered Hispanic

Tradition 7

Living ritual

Native American

Tradition 8

Living ritual

and Anglo artistic history

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Taos Fall Arts Festival, plan transport around the exact Taos venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual layers work best. Taos sits at over 6,900 feet and late September into October brings warm, sunny afternoons that cool quickly once the sun drops, so a light jacket or sweater for...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For Taos Fall Arts Festival, stay near the part of Taos you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map36.41 N, 105.57 WOpen in Google Maps

Taos, NM

Nearest airportTSM — Taos Regional
TransportFor Taos Fall Arts Festival, plan transport around the exact Taos venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Taos Fall Arts Festival, stay near the part of Taos you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Taos via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Taos, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearCasual layers work best. Taos sits at over 6,900 feet and late September into October brings warm, sunny afternoons that cool quickly once the sun drops, so a light jacket or sweater for evening gallery walks and outdoor installation viewing is worth carrying even if the day starts mild.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Taos Fall Arts Festival?

Taos Fall Arts Festival is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Taos Fall Arts Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Taos, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Taos, NM

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLtaosfallarts.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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