Your City At Work

December 19, 2023

Fire Chief Granting City-Wide Burning Amnesty for Farolitos and Luminarias on Christmas Eve

Santa Fe Fire Department Chief Brian Moya and Fire Marshal Geronimo Griego have granted city-wide amnesty for farolito and luminaria burning starting at sundown on Sunday, December 24, and ending at dawn on Monday, December 25, 2023.


Usually, open burning without a permit issued by the Santa Fe Fire Department is prohibited under the City’s Fire Code. This temporary seasonal amnesty extends throughout the city of Santa Fe for community members to burn farolitos and luminarias on Christmas Eve to celebrate the holiday. 

Holiday Events and More

Christmas Eve Farolito Walk: The annual Christmas Eve Farolito Walk, held by the Canyon Road Association, is on December 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dress warmly to enjoy the glowing farolitos while walking along Canyon Road, Acequia Madre, and other nearby streets! 


City of Santa Fe Transit is offering free transit fare for the walk event starting at 4:30 p.m. on December 24. Continuous shuttle service will run between the South Capitol Rail Runner Station and the Santa Fe Visitor Center/Capitol parking lot at the intersection of Old Santa Fe Trail and Paseo de Peralta. Return shuttle service is scheduled to end at 9:30 p.m., but no waiting attendees will be left without transport. Need more info? Call 505-955-2001.


New Year's Eve on the Plaza: The Santa Fe Kiwanis Club invites you to ring in the new year at their 9th annual New Year’s Event on the Plaza. Festivities begin at 9 p.m. on Sunday, December 31, 2023. The Plaza will be warmed by stationary heaters and piñon bonfires. There will be live music on the Santa Fe Bandstand and the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe will offer free biscochitos and hot chocolate while supplies last. Mayor Alan Webber and city officials will lead attendees in a countdown near midnight, and fireworks will be launched from the roof of La Fonda on the Plaza to welcome in 2024! Facebook event details here. NYE on the Plaza is sponsored by the City of Santa Fe.  

Guidance for Open Burning 

Fires must be under 2 feet high and 3 feet in diameter, 50 feet from any structure and/or 25 feet from a structure in an approved non-combustible container. 


Any open burning must be constantly attended to until the fire is extinguished. 


Be sure to have a minimum of one portable fire extinguisher complying with Section 906 of the International Fire Code with a minimum 4-A rating or other approved on-site fire-extinguishing equipment, such as dirt, sand, water barrel, or garden hose for immediate use to extinguish the fire.  


Call 911 in case of emergency. 

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