The Burning of Zozobra is a unique cultural event that takes place the Friday of Labor Day weekend at the green and lush Fort Marcy Park, just steps from downtown Santa Fe. The wailing, mythical creation is the legacy of local artist Will Shuster, who could likely not have imagined that the original 6-foot effigy he burned in his backyard in 1924 would become a 50-foot marionette and an annual source of community release and rallying.
Filled with paper “glooms”—expressed regrets and fears, divorce papers, speeding tickets, photos—by young people and adults alike, Zozobra is unable to cast a spell of darkness over Santa Fe for long. You watch and groove from a spot on the Fort Marcy Park grass as he burns in a musical, ritualistic, orchestrated ceremony, and with him, all woes—until at least the following year!
The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe has managed the pageantry since 1964, and the proceeds support area children’s programs. More information, including tickets, merchandise, how and where to submit your gloom at Burn Zozobra.
Find out more about this event here!
Find more events going on in New Mexico here!
