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Santa Fe Opera, Santa Fe, NM

Photo: Vivaverdi2013, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Theatre & EventsDate NightIconic

Santa Fe Opera

301 Opera Drive · Santa Fe, NM

Why you should go…

Santa Fe Opera stages a summer festival of five operas in rotating repertory at the Crosby Theatre, north of the city. The theater has a roof but open sides, and the stage faces west, so the New Mexico landscape and the sunset become part of the set. John Crosby founded the company, which opened in 1957 with Madama Butterfly, and the current house dates to 1998. An electronic libretto system lets you follow the text as you watch.

  • #opera
  • #open-air theater
  • #summer festival
  • #performing arts

Good to know

General theatre & events guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Curtain time is firm

    Latecomers are commonly held at the back until a scene break, so build in a buffer.

  • Study the seating chart

    Price and sightline vary a lot within the same house. A few rows back can be the better seat.

  • Rush and lottery seats exist

    Many venues release same-day tickets at a discount if you are flexible about where you sit.

  • Arrive with time to spare

    Parking, bag check, and finding your row all take longer than you think on a full house.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Santa Fe Opera, ordered by straight-line distance.

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Georgia O'Keeffe Museum

    Under $25

    The largest collection of Georgia O'Keeffe's work anywhere, steps from the plaza that inspired much of it.

    5.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Palace of the Governors

    Under $25

    The oldest continuously used public building in the United States, now a museum of New Mexico history.

    5.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Santa Fe

    Free

    New Mexico's capital city, known for adobe architecture, Native American and Spanish colonial history, art galleries and the historic Plaza.

    5.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Sightseeing

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Reflective Jewelry

    $50+

    A Santa Fe studio making handcrafted Fairtrade Gold engagement rings, wedding bands and custom designs.

    5.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Attractions
    Local Favorite

    Elissa Heyman Psychic Counseling and Spiritual Healing

    $50+

    Downtown Santa Fe office where psychic counselor Elissa Heyman gives clairvoyant, tarot and Speaking Stones readings by appointment, in person or by phone.

    5.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Attractions

  • Eat & Drink
    Foodie Favorite

    The Shed

    $25–$50

    A family-run Santa Fe institution serving red chile plates in a rambling 1692 adobe hacienda.

    5.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Eat & Drink