Zozobra: A Santa Fe Tradition That Has Grown With Me

There are certain Santa Fe traditions that become part of who you are. For me, Zozobra is one of them.

I was born and raised in Santa Fe, and some of my favorite childhood memories are connected to watching Old Man Gloom burn. Even after all these years, I still feel that same excitement when the lights go out, the Fire Dancer begins her descent, and the crowd erupts: “Burn him! Burn him!”

As a child, I loved the spectacle. As an adult, I appreciate the meaning behind it so much more.

How Zozobra Began

Santa Fe artist Will Shuster, a member of Los Cinco Pintores, created Zozobra in 1924.

According to the official history of Zozobra, Shuster’s idea grew from two experiences. In 1923, he asked friends to write down what was troubling them and then burned the slips of paper. During a trip to Mexico the following year, he witnessed a Good Friday celebration in a Yaqui community in which a Judas effigy was burned.

Shuster brought those influences into a story of his own: Old Man Gloom would hold the worries people were ready to release, and the community would gather to send them up in flames.

The original Zozobra was only about six feet tall and burned at a private gathering in Shuster’s backyard in 1924. The first public burning followed in 1926, when the figure stood about 20 feet tall. Today, Zozobra is a roughly 50-foot marionette and one of Santa Fe’s most recognizable traditions.

The Meaning of the Glooms

What makes Zozobra so meaningful to me is the opportunity to let go of the things that weigh us down.

People can write down worries, disappointments, heartbreaks, bad habits, or anything else they are ready to leave behind and submit them as “glooms.” Those pieces of paper are placed inside Zozobra and burn with him.

The troubles do not literally disappear, of course. But there is something powerful about naming what has been weighing on you, sharing that moment with thousands of other people, and choosing to begin again.

That is the part I understand differently now. As a child, Zozobra was exciting. As an adult, it feels like a symbolic reset—one Santa Fe returns to together.

Zozobra 2026: What to Know

The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe will present the 102nd Burning of Zozobra on Friday, September 4, 2026, at Zozobra Field in Fort Marcy Park.

The organizer currently lists:

• Gates open: 4:00 p.m.
• Official program begins: 6:00 p.m.
• The Zozobra show: After dark, weather and wind permitting

Because event operations can change, use the official Zozobra event page for current tickets, entry rules, prohibited items, accessibility information, and final timing.

Parking near Fort Marcy is very limited, and the event brings extensive road closures and heavy pedestrian traffic. The organizer publishes current parking, shuttle, Rail Runner, and road-closure information on its Getting There page. Check it again before leaving home rather than relying on a previous year’s route.

Zozobra and Life Around Fort Marcy

Zozobra is held at Fort Marcy Park, so people who live nearby experience the event in a different way.

On Zozobra night, the area fills with thousands of visitors. Traffic increases, parking becomes challenging, streets close temporarily, and there is more noise and activity than on an ordinary evening. For homeowners near Fort Marcy, it is something to plan around each year.

But there is another side to it. Living near the park can also mean having one of Santa Fe’s most recognizable traditions close to home. For some people, that energy and connection to local culture are part of the appeal. For others, the disruption of a major annual event may matter more.

If you are considering buying near Fort Marcy—or anywhere affected by a major seasonal event—I think it is important to understand both sides. Visit the area on an ordinary day. If possible, experience it during a major event as well. Notice the traffic, access, sound, parking, and overall energy, then decide how those realities fit the way you want to live.

That kind of context rarely appears in listing photos, but it can matter to your daily experience of a home.

Why I Still Love It

Zozobra has followed me from childhood into adulthood, and I think that is why it means so much to me.

Santa Fe has changed over the years, but some traditions remain. Zozobra reminds me of this city’s creativity, history, sense of community, and willingness to let go of the past and start fresh.

Every year, when I watch Old Man Gloom go up in flames, I am reminded how lucky I am to have grown up here and to continue calling Santa Fe home.

That is the magic of Zozobra. It is not just something you watch. It is something you feel—and something you remember.

Understanding Santa Fe From the Inside Out

If you are thinking about moving to Santa Fe, local traditions are only one part of understanding how the city lives. The rhythm of an area, seasonal events, access, architecture, and daily routines all shape whether a location feels right for you.

You can begin with my local guide to relocating to Santa Fe. When you are ready to talk through your plans, contact me or call or text 505-577-8750.

I am Lori Montoya, a born-and-raised Santa Fe Associate Broker with Barker Realty. My approach is honest, local, and personal—the way real estate should be.