It’s officially luminaria season and if you grew up in El Paso, you know that luminarias aren’t just decorations- they’re a feeling.
Every holiday season we see Scenic Drive glowing against the Franklin Mountains with paper bags flickering in the cold December air, and that quiet moment where everyone slows down just enough to soak it in. It’s one of those traditions that feels uniquely ours, even though it stretches across the Southwest.
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That’s why something happening in Albuquerque this weekend might seriously catch the attention of all El Pasoans; especially those already looking for a festive winter getaway.
Albuquerque Is Lighting the World’s Largest Luminaria
This Sunday, Dec. 14, Albuquerque is debuting what’s being called the world’s largest “Luminito”, and it is exactly as dramatic as it sounds!
The massive structure stands 20 feet tall and will officially light up at 5:30 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center. According to organizers, it’s the largest lantern of its kind anywhere, making it a pretty historic moment for a tradition many of us grew up with.
The name “Luminito” sounds a bit weird but it’s actually a nod to New Mexico’s deep cultural roots. It blends two Spanish words used for paper lanterns across the state: “farolito” in northern New Mexico and “luminaria” in the south, honoring how the same tradition lives under different names depending on where you’re from.
For El Pasoans, that explanation probably feels very familiar.
El Paso Luminarias
Luminarias have always been a shared Southwest tradition, but El Paso puts its own spin on it. Scenic Drive alone draws thousands every year, becoming a must-see holiday stop for locals and out-of-town visitors alike.
That’s what makes Albuquerque’s giant Luminito feel less like competition and more like a cultural cousin showing off something new. Same roots, same glow- just scaled way up.
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And let’s be real: Albuquerque is already a popular destination for El Pasoans. Whether it’s a road trip for fall weather, food stops, or holiday sightseeing, it’s one of those cities that always seems to end up on our travel radar.
For anyone already thinking about a December getaway, this could be a fun excuse to point the car north!
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Gallery Credit: Joanna Barba