Festivals and Events in Carlsbad Caverns National Park

December

Christmas on the Pecos. Stellar Christmas displays decorate Carlsbad mansions along a 3-mi-plus stretch of the Pecos River. Boat tours ($17.50 Friday and Saturday, $12.50 Sunday to Thursday) run from Thanksgiving night through New Year's Eve except Christmas Eve. 575/887-6516; 575/628-0952 after Oct. 1.

May

Mescal Roast and Mountain Spirit Dances. This May celebration commemorates the connection that indigenous Mescalero Apaches have long had with the Guadalupe Mountains, where mescal plants were gathered for food. Descendants of the original Mescaleros perform a blessing in their native language, and everyone gets to taste the fruit from the mescal-baking pits. Fruit and candy is available as well. 575/887-5516.

August

Bat Flight Breakfast. On the second Thursday in August, early risers gather at the cave's entrance to eat breakfast and watch tens of thousands of bats come home The cost is $7. 575/785-2232.