Santa Fe's Exciting Summer Season - from Gay Pride to the Opera

I first visited Santa Fe in spring 1994 and knew instantly I'd want to live there someday. Six years later, I moved to town, and I enjoyed several very happy years of living in the foothills on the East Side, becoming enamoured of the city's rich cultural scene, amazing hiking and skiing, and green-chile-inflected cuisine. I still try to get back as often as I can, and summer is an especially appealing time to check out this high-desert metropolis, with its cool, dry weather (interrupted only by occasional summer thunderstorms, that cool the air and make for incredible photo ops). In late June, this GLBT-popular destination hosts its annual Gay Pride celebration on the historic downtown Plaza - here's a preview of this year's event.

July and August bring numerous performing and fine arts events to town, from the famed Spanish and Indian markets to impressive showings at the famed Santa Fe Opera - check out my article on the 2009 opera season, and how to obtain tickets. I've also just begun creating a gallery and gay guide to Santa Fe, which I'll be expanding over the next few weeks. For now, it contains a good mix of recommendations for gay-friendly dining, lodging, and nightlife, plus fun things to see and do, both in Santa Fe and nearby.

Also be sure to peruse some of the many stories I've written about northern New Mexico's other terrific destinations, Albuquerque and Taos.