A Century-Old Tradition of Renewal
The Burning of Zozobra is an awe-inspiring annual spectacle held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where thousands of spectators gather to witness the symbolic destruction of negative energy.
Zozobra, also known as “Old Man Gloom,” is a towering effigy representing the collective worries, fears, and regrets from the past year.
The 102nd Burning of Zozobra will happen Friday, September 4, 2026, at Fort Marcy Park. Don’t miss the chance to witness it live.
The celebration, rooted in local history and folklore, provides unique cultural experiences that combine performance art, community participation, and ritualistic burning to create a spectacle of renewal and release.
Zozobra 2026 at a Glance
- Date: Friday, September 4, 2026
- Location: Fort Marcy Park, Santa Fe
- Gates Open: 4 p.m.
- Official Program Begins: 6 p.m.
- Burning: Later in the evening, weather permitting
Check out the 2026 Zozobra merch!
What Is the Burning of Zozobra?
The Burning of Zozobra 2026 is a public event in Santa Fe centered on the controlled burning of a large marionette known as Old Man Gloom. The figure is filled with handwritten notes called glooms, which represent worries, frustrations, or difficult moments submitted by the public.
On the night of the burning, those glooms are burned along with the effigy, marking a shared moment of release as the evening builds around the dramatic main event. The crowd provides much of the energy by chanting, “Burn him! Burn him!”
The event is a ticketed evening with music, coordinated performances, and ceremonial elements. It is organized by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe and produced in coordination with city agencies.
Fort Marcy Park sits within walking distance of the Santa Fe Plaza and includes Zozobra Field and nearby Magers Field.
When and Where Does the Burning of Zozobra 2026 Take Place?
The 102nd Burning of Zozobra takes place on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe.
How much are tickets?
Ticket prices for Zozobra 2026 are:
– The Ultimate Zozobra Experience: $299.99
– Z Zone: $169.99
– ZWE Stacked & Delivered: $269.99
– ZWE Delivered: $219.99
– ZWE Walk-in: $99.99
– Front and Center: $109.99
– The Fire Pit: $104.99
– West of the Wild One: $74.99
– East of the Beast: $65.99
– Ember’s Edge: $49.99
– General Admission: is $30 flat with no credit card or processing fees
How Did Zozobra Begin?
Zozobra began in the 1920s as a small marionette created by artist Will Shuster. The original figure was burned informally among friends and was not intended as a public event.
As attendance grew, the burning moved into public spaces and became more structured. Over time, Zozobra grew into the approximately 50-foot-tall marionette now associated with the event.
The Burning of Zozobra is a unique cultural event in Santa Fe, staged annually by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, on the Friday of Labor Day weekend as an exciting and fiery finale to the last days of summer.
Visit Us: burnzozobra.com
Contact: 855-969-6272
Story sponsored by The Burning of Zozobra
Who Organizes the Burning of Zozobra?
The event is managed by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, which has overseen Zozobra since 1964, when artist Will Shuster transferred all rights to the organization. The nonprofit coordinates planning, volunteers, fundraising, and production in partnership with the city.
The burning functions as the Kiwanis Club’s largest annual fundraiser. Proceeds support grants and educational programs for children throughout Northern New Mexico, linking the public event directly to year-round nonprofit work.
What Events Lead Up to the Burning?
Several public events take place in the days leading up to the burning, giving visitors additional chances to see Zozobra and submit glooms.
What Is ZozoFest?
ZozoFest is a free, public event held in the days leading up to the burning that gives attendees their first chance to see Zozobra 2026 in person. The event runs Friday through Sunday, August 28 – 30, 2026, and takes place at Fort Marcy Park.
ZozoFest 2026 Hours
- Friday: 5 – 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
ZozoFest includes art displays, free craft tables, music, and opportunities to submit handwritten glooms directly into Zozobra. Visitors can view the marionette up close before the burning and participate in hands-on activities designed for a broad age range.
Music programming is part of the schedule, including DJ sets that reference earlier decades connected to recent Zozobra themes.
What Happens Before ZozoFest?
Before ZozoFest begins, a public dedication ceremony takes place on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Magers Field within the Fort Marcy complex.
The ceremony marks the dedication of the Zozobra Monument and Time Capsule and includes a live performance by the Santa Fe Concert Band, which begins at 5:40 p.m.
The band performs Santa Fe’s official song, La Villa de Santa Fe, along with Spanish marches, selections by John Philip Sousa, and The Star-Spangled Banner.
Due to event setup, the Fort Marcy Complex parking lot will be closed during this time, and attendees are encouraged to use nearby neighborhood parking.
How Is Safety Managed During the Event?
The Burning of Zozobra is produced in coordination with the Santa Fe Fire Department, Santa Fe Police Department, and emergency medical services.
Fire control measures, crowd management plans, and emergency response protocols are part of the city permitting process. Zozobra is ignited under controlled conditions once the evening builds toward the burning.
What Should Albuquerque Visitors Know Before Attending?
Advance planning is important, especially for transportation and entry logistics. Visitors traveling from Albuquerque should allow extra time for arrival due to temporary road closures and traffic controls near Fort Marcy Park. Those attending from Albuquerque may want to book lodging for the night.
Ticketing policies, permitted items, accessibility details, and pedestrian routes are finalized closer to the event date.
Planning Your Night at Zozobra 2026
Final details related to tickets, accessibility, permitted items, and transportation are released closer to the event date. Official updates are published through the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe and on the Burning of Zozobra’s website.
For Albuquerque-area visitors, the Burning of Zozobra 2026 centers on one evening at Fort Marcy Park, where music, exciting performances, and the dramatic burning of Zozobra and submitted glooms make the trip from Albuquerque well worth the drive.
Burning of Zozobra 2026 FAQs
The Burning of Zozobra 2026 is scheduled for Friday, September 4, 2026, at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe. Entry begins at 4 p.m., the main program starts at 6 p.m., and the burning itself follows later in the evening, depending on weather conditions.
Attendees make it a full afternoon and evening adventure, listening to music, visiting vendors, and picnicking as the evening builds to the grand finale when Zozobra is burned to the loud chants of the audience.
Most attendees arrive early to account for entry lines and early programming. While weather can affect timing, the event consistently takes place on the Friday before Labor Day. Visitors should plan to be on-site for several hours until well after dark.
The event takes place at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe, with activities centered on Zozobra Field and nearby Magers Field. The location sits within walking distance of the Santa Fe Plaza and serves as the sole venue for the burning and related programming.
On the day of the event, surrounding streets are managed with temporary traffic controls and designated pedestrian routes. Parking restrictions are common in nearby areas. Maps, access points, and accessibility details are typically released closer to the event date, and reviewing them in advance can help with arrival and departure planning.
Glooms are handwritten notes submitted by members of the public that reflect worries, frustrations, or challenging moments. Some people submit other objects, such as wedding dresses or divorce decrees to be burned along with the glooms. These notes are collected ahead of the event and on-site and placed inside Zozobra before the burning.
When the effigy is set on fire, the glooms burn with it, bringing thousands of individual submissions together in a single closing moment. Gloom submissions are accepted during lead-up events such as ZozoFest and through official collection methods announced each year. Participation is open to the public and does not require attending the burning itself.
Families regularly attend the Burning of Zozobra, and children are part of the audience throughout the evening. Because the event draws large crowds and includes sound effects and fire elements, adult supervision is recommended.
For those looking for a daytime option, ZozoFest earlier in the week provides a more relaxed setting. That event includes hands-on art activities, music, a Zozobra-themed art show, and an up-close look at Zozobra without the evening crowds.
Families attending the burning should plan ahead for seating, sound considerations, and exit timing after the fire.
The Burning of Zozobra is a multi-hour evening event. Gates open in the late afternoon, and the burning takes place later in the night after scheduled performances and programming.
Because the burning does not happen immediately, attendees should expect to stay for an extended period. Departure times vary depending on crowd flow and traffic management. Visitors returning to Albuquerque should factor in extra time for exiting the area and driving conditions after the event concludes.
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