Photo courtesy of Steve Collins

Midnight Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

10Best Says

Midnight Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi is an event. The stunning Romanesque edifice combines features of traditional cathedrals with New Mexican Spanish Colonial art influences such as retablos (religious paintings done on wood). The doors open at 10:30pm and the church fills up quickly. If you want a seat, arrive early. While you're waiting for Lessons and Carols begin at 11pm, head for the Conquistadora Chapel to the left at the front of the cathedral. The only remaining section of the original parroquia (parish) church, it's home to La Conquistadora. The oldest statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the United States, she survived the Pueblo Revolt and brought back to the city in 1692. By the time Mass starts, there is not a seat in the house.

Address:

131 Cathedral Place
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Phone:

505-982-5619

EXPERT TIPS BY: Billie Frank
Santa Fe Local Expert

Things to Do in December: "When entering the Cathedral, look up. At the top of the doorway arch there's a triangle containing the Tetragrammaton (Hebrew name for God). Local lore abounds with stories of why it's there. The one thing they agree upon is that Santa Fe's Jewish community contributed to the Cathedral's building fund."

Best for Things to Do in December Because: The pomp and circumstance of Midnight Mass at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi's the perfect way to end Christmas Eve in Santa Fe.