8 Fabulously Fun Things to Do in Roswell, NM

Whether you're a newcomer or long-timer, these activities are simply out of this world.

By Kevin Litwin on December 11, 2023

Nathan Lambrecht

Festivals and events that the entire family can enjoy are a staple in Roswell and Chaves County. Central to these events are food, music and entertainment. Here is just a small sample of the fun things to do in Roswell and Chaves County. 

1. Savor the Chile Cheese Festival 

Green and red chiles take center stage every September when MainStreet Roswell presents the Chile Cheese Festival. The festival celebrates the region’s agricultural and cultural heritage. Attractions include live music, a green chile stew championship, jalapeno eating contest and taco eating contest. 

2. Head to the Eastern New Mexico State Fair 

Early October is when the annual State Fair arrives in Roswell at Eastern New Mexico Fairgrounds. A key highlight is the spacious carnival ride area. Other great fun things to do include food booths, livestock shows and live music. 

3. Experience the Dragonfly Festival 

If you enjoy nature, head to Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge to see about 75 species of dragonflies. The refuge features a special dragonfly viewing area along a self-driving tour route. The peak dragonfly population arrives during the summer. Bitter Lake hosts an annual Dragonfly Festival every September. 

Juliana Halvorson

4. Enjoy Otherworldly Fun at the UFO Festival 

Roswell is the site of an alleged UFO crash-landing that captured the nation’s attention in July 1947. The city eventually opened the International UFO Museum & Research Center to capitalize on the visitor interest in that event. More than 200,000 people visit the UFO Museum each year, and Roswell also hosts an annual UFO Festival for three days in early July with costumes, live music and several UFO-themed activities. 

5. Spend an Evening with the Roswell Symphony Orchestra 

Now in the 63rd season, the Roswell Symphony Orchestra’s musicians come from all major cities within a 200-mile radius of Roswell: Lubbock, Texas; Amarillo, Texas; Albuquerque; Santa Fe; Las Cruces; El Paso, Texas; Portales; Alamogordo; and Roswell. Under the direction of John Farrer, the symphony performs five concerts from October through May at the New Mexico Military Institute’s Pearson Auditorium. 

6. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas at the Movies 

The list of fun things to do in Roswell also includes great events around the holidays. For instance, downtown Roswell is the place to be on the first weekend of December for the Christmas at the Movies family holiday fest. Friday night features an electric light parade and a community Christmas tree lighting at Chaves County Courthouse, while Saturday features downtown merchants with windows decorated in movie themes like “Polar Express,” “Elf,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer.” 

7. Go ATV Riding Across the Sand Dunes

Outdoor enthusiasts can go ATV riding at Mescalero Sand Dunes. Located 45 miles east of Roswell are 610 acres of 90-foot-tall sand dunes that are ideal for riding offroad vehicles such as all-terrain cycles, sand rails and dune buggies. Here’s a surprise to go with your ride: You’ll see cottonwood trees thriving here, thanks to a shallow water table and the sands’ ability to hold water. 

8. View Millions of Stars

Wrapping up the list of fun things to do in Roswell is a visit to the Robert H. Goddard Planetarium, which is home to a state-of-the-art, full-dome digital theater system that brings the story of cosmic origins to life. The 120-seat planetarium presents star shows and hands-on activities for children and families, and all programs last about an hour. At special times throughout the year, the Roswell Astronomy Club presents Star Parties at the Planetarium.