The Details

Experience ABQ RIDE’s 60th Annual Luminaria Tour

Enjoy this annual Christmas Eve night tradition in Albuquerque without worrying about parking, driving through snow, annoying traffic delays, or wasting gas. The tour, which begins and ends at the Albuquerque Convention Center, takes approximately 45 minutes and travels through Old Town and the Country Club area.

Ticket Sales

Tickets go on sale at 8:00 a.m. On Black Friday, November 27, 2026. They can be bought below. Tickets will only be sold over the Internet link. They will no longer be sold by phone or at the Hold My Ticket box office.

How Long Do I Have to Buy the Tickets?

Tickets typically sell out within a few hours of sales. If you purchase tickets and are unable to attend on Christmas Eve, please share them with a friend to enjoy by forwarding your email to them or handing physical copies to someone else to attend in place. No name change is required on the tickets.

Tour Schedule

Four tours will originate from the Downtown Convention Center on Thursday, December 24, 2026 at 5:30 PM, 5:45 PM, 6:15 PM, and 6:30 PM.

Parking

Driving directions from I-25:

Travel west on Martin Luther King Jr. Ave/Marquette Ave, past Broadway Blvd, and continue west through 3rd street, then merge left into the Civic Plaza underground parking structure. All other surrounding access roads will be closed due to the event. Free parking for individuals with disabilities will be available at the parking lot located on 3rd and Marquette. 

The Map
GET TICKETS

All you need is a ticket to ride ...

$1.50

Starting at 8:00 a.m., On Black Friday, November 27, 2026 tickets will go on sale

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Luminaria Tour?

Thursday, December 24, 2026

What time should I arrive and where can I park?

Tour-goers are encouraged to arrive at least 20 minutes before their scheduled departure time. Please be aware that most roads near the Convention Center will be closed during the event. 

Recommended Parking:

The best place to park is the Convention Center Eastside Parking Structure, located near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. and Broadway Blvd. Important: Please access the Convention Center parking structure from Broadway Blvd. and Marquette Ave.

Parking Rate: $10.00

Parking Options:

Disabled & Special Needs Parking (Marquette Lot- Surface Lot)

Free parking is available for disabled and special-needs individuals at the parking lot at the northwest corner of 3rd Street and Marquette Ave., just north of Civic Plaza.

Civic Plaza Parking (3rd and Marquette) 

Parking underneath Civic Plaza is also available. 

For your safety and convenience, please follow the posted signs directing you to the Luminaria Tour from all parking areas.

Please allow extra time for parking and walking to the tour departure area

Where exactly at the Convention Center does the bus pick people up?

Buses pick up passengers on 2nd Street, on the east side of the Convention Center.

Where exactly at the Convention Center will the bus drop people off?

Buses will drop people off on 3rd Street, between Tijeras and Marquette.

How long is the tour?

Tour is approximately 45 minutes long.

If children (ages 12 & under) are free and I have no ticket, how do I get them on the bus with no ticket?

Supervisors will let accompanied children onto the bus.

How can I be a vendor during the tour?

Passengers will be on the bus during the tour with no access to any vendors. ABQ RIDE is not working with any vendors. ABQ RIDE does not handle any planned walking tours.

Can I print tickets bought on the website?

Yes. They can be printed out if bought on the website. There is an option on the website for emailed tickets where purchasers can put in the name of another person who will be using them. Tickets are transferable.

Is the tour accessible to individuals in wheel chairs?

Yes. All the buses are ADA compliant and available for persons with disabilities. Convention Center also has wheelchair access.

Are tickets refundable?

No.

Are there bathrooms on the buses or vans?

No. Bathrooms will be available inside the Convention Center before departure.

Can I take pictures?

Take as many pictures as you’d like!

Can I get off the bus to walk around during the tour?

No. The buses do not stop during the tour to let people off to walk around.

Can I bring food and drinks on the bus?

Drinks with a container and lid such as coffee or hot chocolate will be allowed on the bus. You can bring small bottles of water. You cannot bring food or open liquid containers on the buses. No alcohol is allowed on the buses at any time.

What if it rains or snows, will the tour be canceled?

No. Event is rain or shine.

What streets will be closed or affected by the tour?

Streets may be closed only along the tour route where buses won't be interfered with by vehicle traffic. Click for map of the tour route on ABQ RIDE's Luminaria Tour information page.

What time will the buses stop on Dec. 24 to accommodate the tour?

There will be a modified bus schedule on Christmas Eve. Please visit Transit app or Route Detours for details.