ZozoFest 2026 and The 2026 Zozobra Art Exhibit
Official ZozoFest Poster Image by Christopher Dalton
Come to Santa Fe Place Mall to get a first look at Zozobra!
ZozoFest is back in August 2026, and the FUN IS FREE!
It’s that time of year again – time to meet Santa Fe’s iconic disrupter, the king of gloom, trouble-maker extraordinaire – Zozobra himself!
Gather the gang and head Southside to be among the first to meet Old Man Gloom at the FREE Annual ZozoFest and Zozobra Art Show, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, August 28-30, 2026, on the western end of Santa Fe Place Mall at 4250 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM, 87507.
Please note: No food or drinks inside the ZozoFest area––we have to keep our monster in pristine condition before he shows up as the guest of honor at Fort Marcy Park.
2026 ZozoFest Schedule
Wednesday, August 26, 2026, 5-8 pm
- FREE Sneak Peek Public Preview Party sponsored by Santa Fe Place Mall, this year’s generous ZozoFest sponsor. ALL ARE WELCOME!
Friday, August 28, 2026, 5 – 8 pm
- Welcome to the annual ZozoFest, an opportunity to visit the King of Gloom in person for free
Saturday, August 29, 2026, 10 am – 6 pm
- A chance to see Zozobra 2026 in all his gloomy glory as he waits for you to greet him.
- Get first dibs on collectible, one-of-a-kind Zozobra art.
- Score the new Zozobra merchandise and collectibles.
- Take selfies with Zozobra photobombing over your shoulder.
- Make your own Zozobra Art and gloom box at the free crafts tables, generously sponsored by Nusenda Credit Union.
- Stuff your glooms inside Zozobra to make your worries go up in smoke when he gets torched.
- Enjoy the revolutionary spirit of ’76 with music
Sunday, August 30, 2026, 10 am – 4 pm
- Share a moment with Zozobra before he heads home to Zozobra Field at Fort Marcy Park.
- Don’t miss your last chance to see the Zozobra Art Exhibit.
- Take selfies with Zozobra photobombing over your shoulder.
- Create your own Zozobra Art at the free crafts tables, generously sponsored by Nusenda Credit Union
- Write down your glooms and put them inside Zozobra before he moves to Fort Marcy Park for his big 1776 party.
YOU are invited to get a first look at Zozobra in person before he moves to Fort Marcy Park to meet his immortal foe, the Fire Spirit, at the 102nd Annual Burning of Zozobra on Friday, September 4, 2026!
This year, the Zozobra Art Exhibit recognizes the next century of burning with Zozobra as a 102-year-old icon for the City of Santa Fe, and ZozoFest brings inspired depictions of Santa Fe’s favorite monster in a 1776 Revolutionary War theme, in conjunction with the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. Dedicated collectors can purchase one-of-a-kind artwork in a variety of media. Hundreds of drawings created by Santa Fe Public School students will be on display, showcasing the enduring love for Santa Fe’s oldest malcontent.
“When the Kiwanis Club builds Zozobra, we accept that we also have to get rid of him,” says Zozobra Event Chair Ray Sandoval. “This is his purpose, but the artwork created in his likeness lets him stay alive all year round as a meaningful part of our history and culture. This is an art show for all artists, all ages, and all media –– it doesn’t matter if it’s your first art show or your 102nd –– we look forward to sharing your amazing artwork!
The Zozobra Art Show will have lots of fun items on display: historic artwork, paintings, drawings, prints, photography, and contemporary works for sale by local artists.
THE GOOD NEWS
Zozobra General Admission tickets went on sale in April 2026 at $30 each, and you can take $5 off with the New Mexico residents discount; kids 10 & under are free, accompanied by an adult. This year, Students 11-23 get General Admission tickets at only $15 pp. and Seniors, Active Military and Veterans receive a $10 discount on General Admission tickets. The NM residents’ discount expires on Thursday, September 3, 2026; get tickets early so you don’t miss out!
Buy in advance and save! On ZOZOBRA DAY ONLY, Friday, September 4, 2026, General Admission tickets will be $40 online and at the gate.
You can purchase 2026 Zozobra General Admission Tickets, Posters, T-Shirts, and cool new Zozobra Collectibles at ZozoFest!
General Admission and Express Entry Tickets are available for purchase online HERE or at these in-person ticket locations, all three GUADALUPE CREDIT UNION offices and SOUTH WEST VINTAGE until 4 pm on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Posters, tees, and other great Zozobra collectibles are available online HERE and will be available at the ZozoFest Merchandise Booth on Wednesday, August 26, Friday, August 28, Saturday, August 29, and Sunday, August 30, 2026, and at the Zozobra Merchandise Booth at Burning of Zozobra, Friday, September 4, 2026, in Magers Field at Fort Marcy Park. A sell-out of Zozobra merchandise is always possible, so buy early to get the best selection!
