September & October - Mesilla Valley Maze
It's the most fun you can have in a corn field.  Bring the kids and those that are "kids at heart" to the rural fun of the Mesilla Valley Maze.  Take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch to look for the perfect Jack-O-Lantern, then discover the many twists and turns amazingly cut into a corn field. Saturdays and Sundays. 3855 West Picacho Avenue. (505) 526-1919. www.mesillavalleymaze.com  

September  - White Sands Balloon Invitational
A collection of colorful balloons filling the air over the white gypsum dunes of White Sands National Monument.  800-826-0294. www.nps.gov/whsa

September 2-3 - Hatch Chile Festival
The Mesilla Valley is the chile capital of the world, and what better way to celebrate than with a chile festival.  Sample some of the finest chile while you enjoy food, crafts, an auction, live music and more.  Hatch.  (505) 267-5050. www.hatchchilefest.com  

September 2-4 - Hillsboro Apple Festival
Located only an hour north of Las Cruces, Hillsboro is famous for apples. Sample everything from world class apple pie to apple juice, caramel apples and much more.  There are also arts and crafts for the whole family.  Hillsboro. (505) 895-5686  

September 2-4 - New Mexico Wine Harvest Festival
Celebrate New Mexico's wine harvest with grape stomping, wine tasting, live entertainment (including up and coming country music star Tim Murphy on Sunday). Festival features arts and crafts vendors, children's activities, hourly wine seminars and a great relaxed atmosphere.  Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds, 11 miles west on I-10 exit 132.  12 noon - 6 pm each day $13 adults 21 and older, under 21 free but must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian.  $3 discount for active duty military on Monday. (505) 522-1232. www.nmwine.com or Dawn@HelpingHandsEvents.com

September 16-17 - Diez y Seis de Septiembre Fiesta
Mexican Independence Day!  Join the village of Mesilla as they commemorate Mexico's independence. Be sure to catch folklorico dances, mariachi music, authentic Mexican cuisine and have a really good time. Old Mesilla Plaza. (505) 524-3262.  www.oldmesilla.org    

September 22-24 - The Whole Enchilada Fiesta  
We have a chile festival and an apple festival, why not an enchilada fiesta!  Downtown Las Cruces hosts one big street party complete with food, dancing, a parade and the making of the official world's largest enchilada! Meerscheidt Recreation Center.  (505) 526-1938. www.twefie.com  

September 27-October 1 - Southern New Mexico State Fair
The Southern New Mexico State Fair has something for everyone; a midway, an auction, food, music, livestock shows and a cowboy rodeo. Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. (505) 524-8602.  www.snmstatefair.org  

October  - La Viña Wine Festival
This festival is the oldest wine festival in New Mexico and features food, entertainment and of course, wine produced by New Mexico's oldest winery. La Viña Winery, La Union.  (505) 882-7632. www.nmwine.net  

October 7 - Trinity Site Tour
The Trinity site is the location of the first atomic bomb explosion on earth.  The site is open to the public twice a year. White Sands Missile Range. (505) 678-1134.  www.wsmr.army.mil  

October 7-8 - 5th Annual Mesilla Jazz Happening
Mesilla Valley Jazz Happening will be swinging into historic Old Mesilla at the Mercado Plaza and on the Historic Plaza.  The Plazas will host free live jazz music at two venues.  A special Wine Garden at each venue featuring eight New Mexico Wineries will provide wine tasting.  Horse drawn wagons will offer free transportation between the Mercado and the historic plaza.  Old Mesilla Plaza.  (505) 524-3524, (505) 524-3262, (505) 523-6700.       www.oldmesilla.org  

October 20-21  - X Prize Cup
An event where everyone can come, experience space and be part of the next generation of spaceflight. You can watch the next generation of space vehicles fly, talk to astronauts, see the vehicles up close, fly simulators, learn about the technology, the curriculum available at all levels of education, know about the careers available in the contemporary space industry and begin to dissolve the myth that you will never travel to space in your lifetime.  (310) 587-3355. www.xprize.org

October 21-22 - Cowboy Days 
Nothing says the old west like the cowboy, and the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum honors the western legend with a weekend festival complete with roping and riding demonstrations, "cowboy food", dancing, and cowboy poetry.  New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. (505) 522-4100.  www.frhm.org  

October 28-29 - Dia de los Muertos
Celebrate the Day of the Dead with lots of music and food. Join the candlelight procession as the dead are remembered.  Homemade altars are on display and a giant pinata is broken open. Old Mesilla Plaza. (505) 647-2639.  www.oldmesilla.org  

November 4-5 - 35th Annual Renaissance Craftfaire  
Spend a weekend with Kings and Queens at the 35th Annual Renaissance Craftfaire. Local, state and regional artisans gather to participate in a juried art show and exhibition. Only the highest quality arts & crafts are for sale accompanied by live theater, dancing, music and food, all presented with a Renaissance theme. Young Park. (505) 523-6403.  www.zianet.com/daac  

November 10-12 - International Mariachi Conference & Concert
A week-long educational conference culminating with one spectacular concert featuring internationally known mariachi performers. Parque Festival  at Young Park features entertainment and cultural activities. New Mexico State University Pan American Center and Young Park.  (505) 525-1735. www.lascrucesmariachi.org  

December 24 - Christmas Carols and Luminarias on the Plaza
The historic village of Old Mesilla is aglow with thousands of luminarias and caroling.        (505) 524-3262. www.oldmesilla.org