Name: The 102nd Burning of Zozobra
Start: 2026-09-04T16:00:00-06:00
End: 2026-09-04T23:00:59-06:00
Location: Zozobra Field at Fort Marcy Park

Zozobra the Kid Rides In

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, April 13, 2027

The 103rd Burning of Zozobra is Friday, September 3, 2027, at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe. Tickets are not on sale yet, and that is on purpose.

Why April 13?

On April 13, 1881, a judge in Mesilla, New Mexico, handed Billy the Kid his sentence. So April 13 is the day Zozobra the Kid gets his. We are calling it Judgment Day. The sentence is carried out September 3, by fire, in front of tens of thousands of witnesses, and you are invited to be one of them.

There is a practical reason too. We want the 103rd merchandise on the shelf the same day tickets open, including the winning designs from this year’s contest, so you can get your ticket and your gear in one stop.

Who Is Zozobra the Kid?

For his 103rd year, Old Man Gloom rides in as an outlaw. Not one outlaw. All of them. Zozobra the Kid is every villain the Old West produced: the snakeoil salesman, the rustler, the claim jumper, the crooked lawman, the card sharp, and the land-grabbing man in the good suit who never fired a shot and took more than all the others combined.

Zozobra has never had a face of his own. Every year we give him the shape of whatever the age fears, so we can see clearly what we are burning. The outlaw fits him better than most. He arrives friendly. He takes by charm long before he takes by force, and the legend grows bigger and better loved than the man ever was. That is what gloom does. Zozobra the Kid is gloom with a good reputation.

New Mexico does not have to import this story. Billy the Kid sat in a jail in Santa Fe and wrote letters to the governor from it. Our Old West villains were real, and they were here.

And yes, you asked for this. A country western Zozobra has been one of our most requested themes for years.

Until April 13

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 13, 2027. Got a question about the 103rd? Ask Old Man Gloom at burnzozobra.com/ask. Want to help build him? Volunteer sign-up opens January 1.

Judgment Day is April 13. Burn him September 3.

¡Viva el Viejo!

🦅 Ready to join the uprising? 🦅
This is more than a burning—it’s a 102-year-old tradition meeting 250 years of American spirit. Let’s make history together!

ZOZOBRA 2026 TO FACE THE SPIRIT OF ’76

102nd Burning of Will Shuster’s Zozobra salutes America’s Semiquincentennial

Santa Fe, NM—The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe is proud to announce that the 102nd burning of Will Shuster’s Zozobra,

scheduled for Friday, September 4, 2026, will ignite with revolutionary flair.

Theme: “The Tyranny of Gloom vs. the Spirit of ’76”

In a mischievous twist, Old Man Gloom will swagger into Fort Marcy Field after plundering King George III’s royal robes, crown, and scepter—symbols

of domination he hopes to wield over Santa Fe and beyond. But just as America rose up 250 years ago to declare its independence, our patriotic Torchbearers

will rally to strip Zozobra of his ill-gotten power and set the night ablaze with freedom from gloom. Keep an eye on the horizon—rumor has it that

Paul Revere may gallop in, lantern held high, to warn us that “One if by land, two if by gloom!”

Why 1776 in 2026?

The 102-year-old tradition joins the nationwide semiquincentennial observance marking 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

By casting Zozobra as a would-be tyrant, we celebrate the enduring American promise that darkness and despair can—and will—be overthrown

by unity, hope, and a good-natured burst of fireworks.

“Zozobra has stolen the regalia of the crown, but he can’t steal our optimism,” said Ray Sandoval, Zozobra Event Chair.

“We invite everyone to stuff their worries into his hollow frame and watch them burn away in a blaze of revolutionary joy.”

“Partnering with America 250 events allows Santa Fe to contribute its own unique voice to the national story,” added Sandoval.

“Nothing says ‘independence’ like 50 feet of gloom going up in smoke.”

✍️ 📜 Declare your independence from gloom. Claim your spot in the revolution! 📜 ✍️

All experiences are limited and expected to sell out.
Gloom doesn’t stand a chance!

🎟️ ENLIST FOR THE 102ND BURNING OF ZOZOBRA! TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 19, 2026! 🎟️

Get ready to overthrow gloom in a blaze of revolutionary joy! Early bird PATRIOTIC DISCOUNTS will be available from April 19-26. Don't miss your chance to secure your spot at the 102nd Burning of Zozobra on Fri, September 4, 2026, and salute America's Semiquincentennial!

🦅 Special Revolutionary Offers: 🗽

The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe is proud to offer Zozobra 2026 tickets with absolutely NO credit card or processing fees.

New Mexico Residents: Apply your residents' discount for $5 off General Admission

🧒🏽Kids 10 and Under: Always FREE in General Admission

🎒Student Patriots (11-23 years): Always just $15 in General Admission

💂Active or Past Patriots (US Military Active or Veteran): $10 off in General Admission

✍️Older Patriots (Seniors): $10 off in General Admission

Choose from 8 premium viewing areas with 2 seated options!

Some sections even offer valet delivery to your seating area for your convenience!

Enhanced ADA sections

Every Ticket Purchaser gets a keepsake LED wristband to participate in the show - Kids 10 and under FREE in General Admission can purchase a wristband here

Experience the magic, excitement, and community spirit of Zozobra! Grab your tickets now and be part of this unforgettable night!

Don’t wait—get your tickets today! Let’s make this year’s event one for the books!

Every Ticket Purchaser gets a keepsake LED wristband to light up the night for freedom (Kids 10 & under attending FREE in General Admission can purchase one to join the luminous rebellion).

Experience the magic, excitement, and revolutionary spirit of Zozobra! Grab your tickets starting on April 19, 2026, and be part of this unforgettable night, where we send 250 years of symbolic gloom up in smoke!

Don’t wait—join the revolution! Let’s make this year’s event one for the history books!

WHERE YOU WILL SEE Z'S DEMISE?

View Live Map in Google Maps

🦅🎟️ Get Your Tickets Now for the 102nd Burning of Zozobra! 🎟️🦅

🔔Join us for an unforgettable "Spirit of '76" celebration! With a limited capacity of 50,000 patriots, you'll enjoy a more comfortable experience featuring premium viewing options and expanded ADA access. We've listened to your feedback and will provide free water stations, enhanced facilities, and perfect photo ops.📜

💥Witness a cutting-edge spectacle: a dazzling drone show, breathtaking fireworks, and thousands of synchronized LED wristbands creating a sea of light.🗽

🐍Embrace the revolutionary theme—don your most festive patriotic fashions—and create lasting memories as we overthrow the Tyranny of Gloom! 🧱

Tickets are on sale NOW! Don’t miss out on this incredible event—grab your tickets today!

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