Albuquerque's Birthday Celebration

Festivities featuring all things Albuquerque.

Saturday, April 19, 2025 | Noon-4 p.m. | Historic Old Town

The Department of Arts & Culture will celebrate Albuquerque's 319th Birthday with food, fun, live music, and local flair in the heart of the City. This party will feature birthday must-haves such as face painting, entertainment, and specials at a variety of participating Old Town stores.

Birthday Entertainment on the Gazebo

12 p.m.- Spanish Broom - Flamenco
12:45 p.m. - Trio Carrillo - Mariachi
1:30 p.m.- Founders' Ceremony
2 p.m. - Ivon Ulibarri & Café Mocha - Salsa

Photo of a line of 10 men and women standing, looking off past the camera. They are each in their flamenco dressed and suits. Two of them are holding guitars.

Spanish Broom is an Albuquerque based Flamenco music and dance collaborative that produces, performs, choreographs, and composes original, exciting, curious, innovative, and powerful work. Their mission is to sustain a collective of artists whose collaboration is a base for creativity, accessibility, and financial support. They seek to share their art and encourage the community to create with them.

Photo of woman in all black suit and hat, standing and pointing towards the camera with a smile on her face.

Ivon Ulibarri is a visionary musician, bandleader, educator, and an advocate for social change. Ivon began her musical journey in 1974 when she began playing with local Tucumcari bands. In 1977, she brought her ambition to Albuquerque, aiming to make a name for herself in music. Beyond her musical prowess, Ivon is a retired certified Bilingual teacher and a community advocate, using her music to support high-risk youth, and advocate for social change and community support. Ivon's impact on the music scene in New Mexico extends beyond her performances.

Party Food

Photo of chocolate chip cookies with sprinkles on a white marble table. They are resting on small brown paper bags with a sticker of the event logo.

Every birthday party needs a celebratory treat! Flying Roadrunner Bakery will be offering specialty birthday cookies to all party-goers at Albuquerque’s Birthday Celebration. These chocolate chip cookies will be available for purchase for $2.75 Thursday, April 17 through Saturday, April 19 at their store in Plaza Don Luis.

Enjoy a bite to eat from local food trucks including CCR Roasting, Blenders, and Rollin' In Hot. The Knights of Columbus with San Felipe de Neri Church will be cooking up their famous burgers in the church courtyard. Old Town Pizza will be serving up their beloved pies from Plaza Vieja. Old Town restaurants will be joining in on the celebration, ready with their signature plates and specials.

Kids' Activities

It's going to be a party throughout Historic Old Town! Kids can don their best birthday party look with free face painting. Make sure to test your climbing skills on the 25' rock wall provided by Parks & Recreation.

Shopping

A variety of Old Town Merchants will have booths around Plaza Vieja for you to shop to find your new favorite gifts. Participating Old Town businesses include Salem's Tea House, Puzzled, Back Alley Brujas, Brown Bear Gallery & Gifts, Turquoise Tree Flower Shop, San Felipe Snow Cone, Plaza Gifts, Lapis Room, Treasure House Books, and Amapola Gallery.

Founder's Ceremony

Take part in this year's Ceremony by carrying a banner from a founding family! Those interested can contact [email protected] for more information. 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 Plaza Vieja at 1:30 p.m.

History

Every April since 1988, the founding of Albuquerque has been celebrated by reflecting the historic eras: Native American, Spanish, Mexican, Territorial and Statehood. The celebration commemorates a unique and historic event: the birth of our city. The event honors Governor Cuervo y Valdes for his vision, and honors the first community. It also pays tribute to every generation that has contributed to the growth and prosperity of this enchanted city that was named the Villa de Albuquerque in 1706. The founding of Albuquerque is a success story worth celebrating.

Getting to the Party

Albuquerque’s Birthday Celebration is held in Historic Old Town. Streets around Old Town will be closed to traffic for the celebration. Please plan accordingly and be mindful of residents and all posted parking signs in the area. Free parking will be available at the Albuquerque Museum.