7 EVENTS 7 DAYS
Polar plunge, bosque hikes and comedy: 7 events this week
Published
New Mexico hasn鈥檛 quite embraced winter yet, temperature-wise at least. But that won鈥檛 make the 2026 Polar Plunge any less cool. Or dive into one of these other events.
Got an event we should know about? Reach out to features@abqjournal.com.
A cool time
The city of Albuquerque is hosting the 2026 Polar Plunge from 9:45 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 3. Proceeds support the Shanta Strong Swim Fund and the ABQ BioPark Zoo鈥檚 polar bear and penguin enrichment programs. Prizes will be awarded for Youngest Plunger, Oldest Plunger, Largest Family, Largest Group and Best Costume. Registration starts at $40 to take the plunge or $50 to plunge down the slide, or grab a friend for $60-$80 at cabq.gov/parksandrecreation/events. The Sierra Vista Pool is located at 5001 Monta帽o Road NW.
Birds of a feather
鈥淲ing鈥� in the New Year with the city of Albuquerque鈥檚 Parks and Recreation Division and the Bird Alliance of Central New Mexico as they host a Birding BioBlitz event from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan 3. The event will feature a guided introduction to birding basics, identification tools and the eBird app. Participants are asked to download the eBird app on their phone. The free event will be held at the Candelaria Nature Preserve, 3301 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, and will begin promptly at 9 a.m.
One with nature
Stroll into the New Year with a Bosque Wild Guided Hike from 8:30-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3. Open Space nature guides and Trail Watch volunteer stewards will lead participants on the 2-to-3 hour hike. The hike is moderately strenuous, so hikers are advised to bring water, wear comfortable closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather. The event is free. The Open Space Visitor Center is located at 6500 Coors Blvd. NW.
Sugar and spice
The final days to vote in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center鈥檚 Pueblo Gingerbread House Contest are Friday, Jan. 3, and Saturday, Jan. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8-$12, free for children under 5, at indianpueblo.org. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is located at 2401 12th St. NW.
A good laugh
Comedian Vik Pandya is coming to Quezada鈥檚 Comedy Club at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 2, and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3. Pandya鈥檚 comedy album 鈥淔riends With 401(k) Benefits鈥� debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard charts. Tickets start at $25.79 at quezadas.com. Quezada鈥檚 is located at 54 Jemez Canyon Dam Road in Bernalillo.
They鈥檙e joking
The Crypt Keeper鈥檚 Comedy Hour is coming to Painted Lady Bed & Brew at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8. The line-up features Sarina Ochoa, TJ Jones, Jake Otero and Zach Abeyta. The 21+ event is pay-what-you-will at breakfastisoverrated.com. Painted Lady is located at 1100 Bellamah Ave. NW.
Back to Middle-earth
The Lomas Tramway Library is hosting a screening of 鈥淭he Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim鈥� at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3. The animated film, which is rated PG-13, is based on characters created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Lomas Tramway Library is located at 908 Eastridge Drive NE.
