Luminaria

Christmas · Southwest · tradition · craft

Paper bag magic. A luminaria is made by placing a votive candle in sand inside a paper bag, creating a warm, glowing light that looks like tiny stars along the ground.

New Mexico treasure. Luminarias are a special part of Christmas in New Mexico, where the Pueblos and Hispanos have celebrated with these lanterns for generations as part of their unique cultural heritage.

Rows of wonder. Families and communities line up luminarias in rows along walls, roofs, and walkways on Christmas Eve to create a stunning holiday display that transforms neighborhoods into wonderlands of flickering light.

Also called farolitos. In Spanish, these lanterns are sometimes called 'farolitos,' which means 'little lanterns,' and the name captures exactly what they do: spread light and joy throughout the holiday season.