Santa Fe has an unusually dramatic way of getting rid of its worries: it stuffs them into a towering marionette and sets him on fire. Zozobra, also known as Old Man Gloom, becomes the focus of a theatrical evening that turns collective anxiety into a spectacular public bonfire.
The giant figure groans and moves before the ceremonial burning at Fort Marcy Park. Music and performance build anticipation as the crowd waits for gloom to go up in flames. It is part ritual, part outsized puppet theater and one of New Mexico’s most distinctive annual spectacles.
The event takes place around Labor Day, with the next announced burning in September. Admission is ticketed, and general admission, discounts and premium viewing have different prices. Arrive early, expect dense crowds and check the current entry rules and transportation arrangements. The map pin marks the park rather than a specific admission gate.