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Farolito Lighting at The Fort

Head north to Morrison, just west of Denver, for the annual Farolito Lighting at The Fort, a restaurant and re-creation of Bent’s Old Fort (in southern Colorado). The Tesoro Cultural Center will celebrate this Southwestern tradition in the courtyard from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 27.

The annual festivities herald the holiday season and honor a member of the community who has enlightened the minds and souls of others. This year’s honoree will be award-winning community leader and historian Dr. Thomas Noel, who appears regularly as “Dr. Colorado” on “Colorado & Company” on Channel 9 (NBC television).

The ceremony includes a variety of musical entertainment, complimentary hot beverages and biscochitos (bite-size cinnamon-anise cookies). The event, free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Tesoro Foundation, which is dedicated to re-creating Colorado history.

Take a pinecone with you. All guests are invited to join in the traditional pinecone ceremony by writing the name of someone he or she wishes to remember on a slip of paper and tucking it into a pinecone. At the end of the evening, the pinecones are placed in the courtyard campfire. The idea is that the resulting light and sparks glide upward, carrying the messages into the sky.

The Fort also hosts the Christmas Eve Posada, re-creating the journey of Mary and Joseph looking for shelter. Get information and a schedule by calling call 1-303-839-1671, or visit www.tesoroculturalcenter.org.

The Fort is south of Interstate 70 at the junction of U.S. Highway 285 (West Hampden Avenue) and Colorado Highway 8 in Morrison.

Winter Spanish Market in Santa Fe

The Winter Spanish Market in Santa Fe, an outgrowth of the famous Traditional Spanish Market held on and around the Santa Fe Plaza each July, will be held Dec. 2-4 at the Santa Fe Convention Center.

The Winter Market will showcase the work of some 100 Hispanic artists, and many pieces will have a holiday theme for your home or gift-giving. Surrounding the weekend are more holiday events, including a Homes Tour, a Holiday Tea and a Friday night party at the Convention Center.

• Market Week will begin with a Luncheon with the Artists on Nov. 30. You can have lunch with a Spanish Market artist and learn more about the artista and his or her artwork. Tickets are $60 per person.

• Spanish Market will begin on Dec. 2 with WinterNite, a party at the Santa Fe Convention Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Market artists will, for the first time, be able to exhibit and sell their art at this special evening event, which will also feature music and food. Tickets are $40.

• The Winter Market will open officially at 8 a.m. Dec. 3 and remain open until 5 p.m. at the Santa Fe Convention Center. Admission is free.

• Also on Dec. 2 will be a Holiday Home Tour of four spectacular Santa Fe homes decorated for the holidays. The home tour will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include shuttle service from and to the Convention Center at ticketed times. Tickets are $40 per person.

• All artists and guests are invited to a special 8 a.m. Market Mass on Dec. 3 at the St. Francis Cathedral Basilica for a blessing of the artists and the market. After the Mass, at 9:30 a.m., the Market will continue at the Convention Center until 3 p.m.

• Also on Dec. 3 will be a festive Traditional Holiday Tea held at the Historic Hotel St. Francis, with two seatings, 1:30-3 p.m. and 3:30-5 p.m. All guests are encouraged to dress in their “finery” for the tea, but it is not required.  Tickets are $40 per person, with a special price of $75 for both the Home Tour and the Holiday Tea.

The Santa Fe Convention Center is at 201 W. Macy St. Call 1-505-982-2226, ext. 103, for tickets. Information, www.spanishcolonial.org.

JOY HARPER, THE GAZETTE