Go to the opera
If you happen to be in Santa Fe in July or August, you can treat yourself to an experience of a lifetime. Just 7mi (11km) outside of town, Santa Fe Opera is housed in a venue with a worldwide reputation, hosting opera festivals and great performances each summer. It is a semi open-air theater offering incredible views of the evening sky with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east and the Jemez Mountains to the west. The opera house can accommodate 2,200 spectators and sells out quickly. There is a special tradition to observe when getting ready to see a show: tailgating while dressed to the nines, which means snacking on expensive food and sipping sparkling wine in your nicest outfit.