We Coloradans are so fortunate that one of the most unique and special ways to take in an opera is just one state away. There’s nothing quite like attending the Santa Fe Opera in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Learn how nature, architecture, talent, creativity and fun all come together for an experience like no other with the help of this article and our In Good Taste Denver Podcast guest, Kalob Martinez, the Advertising & Business Relations Manager for Santa Fe Opera.
Click the player above to listen to Kalob in our In Good Taste Denver Podcast episode that prepares visitors for the 2026 season. Kalob paints a vivid picture of each of the productions and explains the role of apprentices and the core artists. He also shares why the Santa Fe Opera is for anyone, regardless of how familiar you are with any of the operas – or with opera at all!
One of my favorite parts of the podcast is when he discusses the role of the setting sun and the structure of the theater. Here’s what he says:
“We have an open-air theater. Our space is open on three sides. I like to say that the sunset and the weather are kind of the other characters that you don’t think about, that end up becoming a part of whatever story you’re going to see.”
The 2026 Santa Fe Opera Season Productions
There are five productions which start and run on a staggered schedule that represent both classical and contemporary works. Here’s what’s on the schedule for 2026. Visit the links to see exactly which dates the production runs and to purchase tickets:
July 3-Aug. 29 – Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini
“A young Japanese woman sacrifices her heritage for love, only to face betrayal and heartbreak.”
July 4-Aug. 28 – The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
“Imagine a magic flute that can tame the wildest of beasts.”
July 18-Aug. 19 – Eugene Onegin by Pyotr Illyich Tchaikovsky
“With unbridled passion, devastating heartbreak and unspoken regret, Tatyana’s love is rejected by Onegin, who, a little too late, realizes his mistake.
July 26-Aug. 21 – Rodelinda by George Frederic Handel
“Queen Radelinda navigates a dangerous political web to protect her throne and family while her love for her supposedly dead husband reignites in a dramatic class of passion and ambition.”
Aug. 1-27 – Lili Elbe by Tobias Picker
“Lili’s journey – marked by love, loss and self-discovery – is the story of a Danish painter who, with the steadfast support of her wife Gerda, became one of the first to undergo gender-affirmation surgery nearly a century ago.”
Extras at the Santa Fe Opera
Opening Weekend Celebration happens July 3, 4 and 5. Guests can choose events individually or plan for the whole weekend. Options include Opening Night Dinner, Elevated Tailgate or Outdoor Brunch. A backstage tour is free with each reservation.
Prelude Talks are one of the offerings Kalob recommends people take advantage of, especially if they are new to opera. The free 30-minute talks are informal and informative and are offered one hour before most performances. Seating is limited but no reservations are required. Note, there will not be Prelude Talks on July 3, August 16 and 23.
Backstage Tours are available Monday-Saturday mornings during June, July and August (but not available June 26, July 8-9, July 15-17 or July 22-24). They are a great way to see how opera productions come together. The behind-the-scenes tours are $10 for adults and ages 6-22 are free. Reservations are encouraged.
Sustainability improvements were completed in February 2025 as part of a multi-phase power initiative in February of 2025 which significantly reduced its carbon footprint. More than 400 solar panels were installed on structures and in a ground-based array which results in generation of more than 400,000kWh of clean energy each year. This offsets nearly half of the opera’s daytime energy use, saves more than $1.3 million in electricity cost and prevents the emission of 13 million pounds of greenhouse gases.
In addition, they have taken steps towards water conservation and developed ongoing sustainability initiatives such as using recyclable and compostable products in all concessions. They’ve partnered with ReCORK to recycle wine and champagne corks, have a “labyrinth” passive cooling system, water runoff collection systems, drought-resistant landscaping and even printing the Program Book on sustainably-sourced paper that uses 10% recycled fibers. We love seeing companies take sustainability seriously and making the commitment to embrace it. It all makes us appreciate them even more.
Rail Runner Train Package is an expanded collaboration with Rio Metro, northern New Mexico’s regional transit system. This Package includes train service to and from Albuquerque and shuttle service to and from the opera. This option is available on Friday and Saturday nights for $25 per person.
Shuttle Service is a $65/person, round-trip ride option from Santa Fe to the Opera. Tuckets must be purchased by 3pm the day before attending the Opera.
Apprentice Scenes, presented on August 16 is a costumed and staged scene with piano accompaniment by Santa Fe Opera apprentices. It is very prestigious to become an apprentice and is the training ground for a future life as a professional opera singer. Available for age 6 and up.
Apprentice Concert, on August 23, features the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra onstage. The relaxed evening at the opera is a great way to get an introduction to opera. Available for age 6 and up.
Fun Fact:
Each production between July 3 and August 1 begins at 8:30pm. But they begin at 8pm between August 3-29. Why? Because the sunset behind the Santa Fe Opera’s venue is such an iconic part of each performance experience, the timing changes to work with the earlier sunset times.
Dining As Part of Your Santa Fe Opera Experience
Opening Night Dinners, as each opera makes its debut throughout the season, offer guests a way to meet with the creative team and enjoy a three-course dinner. The dinner menus are themed to go with each opera. The schedule is July 3 (Madama Butterfly), July 4 (The Magic Flute), July 18 (Eugene Onegin), July 25 (Rodelinda), August 1 (Lili Elbe).
Preview Dinners are opera-themed and served in the open-air cantina. A speaker provides a brief introduction to the evening’s opera while guests enjoy dessert. Preview dinners must be ordered by 3pm two days in advance.
Tailgate Picnics are one of the most special ways to enhance a night at the opera. The tradition goes back a long, long time and ranges from bringing your own food (casual-to-fancy) to purchasing a Tailgate Picnic from the Opera. Choose Starter or Dinner Box with various options of offerings within them. While you can enjoy your Tailgate Picnic at a table and chairs on the Twomey Terrace next to the Box Office, seating is limited and non-reserved. More fun is taking it back to your car and set up a table and chairs to have your own personal feast. People have known to do it up really well, with fancy lighting, linen tablecloths, China, crystal and more. It’s all part of the Santa Fe Opera experience!
Concessions are available for purchase, available before each performance and at intermission. Get snacks, treats, wine, mixed drinks, non-alcoholic and coffee drinks.
Where to Stay When Attending the Santa Fe Opera
There are plenty of options for where to stay in and near Santa Fe of every style and pricepoint. There are several that are partnering with the Santa Fe Opera this year.
Opening Nights Sponsor: Four Seasons Resort Encantado in Santa Fe.
Lead Hotel Partner: Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection
Preferred Hospitality Partners: The Inn of the Five Graces (a new lodging partner this year), Drury Plaza Hotel in Santa Fe, Two Casitas Santa Fe Vacation Rentals.
The Santa Fe Opera website lists many other options, each with direct links to booking them.
For more information about the Santa Fe Opera, visit their website, here. It’s a particularly logical, intuitive website that will help you find all of the information you want to know.
Use our affiliate link to book lodging using your favorite booking tool.
-By Courtney Drake-McDonough, Publisher of InGoodTasteDenver.com and host of the In Good Taste Denver Podcast
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