Santa Fe’s Halloween traditions weave together its Native, Hispano, and Anglo heritages, with spooky storytelling and festive gatherings rooted in the region’s adobe, historic streets. Today, Candlelight Halloween concerts, haunted tours, and family-friendly celebrations bring the community together – highlighting the city’s unique blend of cultures and its love for the supernatural. With popular events like Spirits of New Mexico at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, we’re highlighting the Candlelight Halloween edition, because it’s never too early to plan your Halloween in Santa Fe.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Dmitri Shostakovich poured his personal anguish into “String Quartet No. 8″, creating music that transcends horror to achieve genuine emotional devastation. This profound piece joins The Addams Family theme and Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells” in exploring how different composers approach darkness and light.
The string quartet reveals the emotional complexity within each piece. Shostakovich’s devastating beauty contrasts with The Addams Family’s playful darkness while Tubular Bells’ hypnotic repetition provides the perfect bridge. Each composition demands different techniques from the rumbling depths of cello to the piercing cry of violins, all enhanced by flickering candles that transform familiar melodies into otherworldly experiences.
Candlelight Halloween at Scottish Rite Masonic Center
The Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Santa Fe is transformed by the glow of thousands of candles, casting an enchanting, softly eerie light that highlights the venue’s grand interiors and adds a magical touch to the Halloween concert experience. Doors open 30–45 minutes before the 60-minute performance, allowing guests to fully absorb the candlelit ambiance.
A string quartet will perform haunting renditions of Thriller by Michael Jackson, Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns, and Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky. With limited availability, waiting to plan your Halloween may mean missing out on one of Santa Fe’s most atmospheric events.