Happy Birthday, ‘Burque! Celebrate Albuquerque's 317th Birthday in Old Town

April 14, 2023 - The City of Albuquerque's Department of Arts & Culture is putting the finishing touches on Albuquerque's Birthday Celebration, which will be taking place in Old Town from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. This free public event will feature live music and family fun with local flair in the heart of the city.

Entertainment at the Gazebo will include folklorico dancing by Baila! Baila! at noon and traditional mariachi music by Mariachi Tenampa at 1 p.m. Nosotros, one of the most recognizable Latin bands in the Southwest, will take the stage at 2 p.m.

Nosotros has twice been featured on NPR’s Alt Latino, twice been named winners in the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Competition, won 13 NM Music Awards, and has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in music. This Latin music powerhouse, seamlessly combines Latin rhythms with elements of rock, salsa, jazz, and cumbia creating an original sound.

Free kids activities include face painting and a 25-foot climbing wall.

A number of Old Town merchants will have booths around the Gazebo selling specialty items like salsa, soaps, and candles. Plenty of food options will be available ranging from corn-on-the-cob to pizza, and the San Felipe de Neri Church will be cooking up their famous burgers in their courtyard. Several Old Town restaurants will also be serving their signature plates.

The ancestors of the Founders will meet at the Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdes statue at the corner of Romero St. and Charlevoix St. at 1 p.m. The procession of banners will make its way to the Gazebo at Old Town Plaza at 1:30 p.m.

Streets around the plaza will be closed to traffic. Limited parking will be available at the Albuquerque Museum.

Albuquerque's Birthday Celebration is sponsored by iHeart Radio.