3 Best Performing Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Jean Cocteau Cinema

Railyard District Fodor's choice

Author and Santa Fe resident George R. R. Martin, of Game of Thrones fame, restored this intimate, funky Railyard District art-movie house into a busy neighborhood favorite. The single-screen theater is a great place to catch first-run films, indie flicks, cult classics, and traveling selections from international film festivals. The lobby has a small bar and coffee shop to complete the indie vibe. Next door, Martin also operates Beastly Books which focuses, of course, on science fiction and fantasy.

Santa Fe Film Festival

With the film industry booming in New Mexico, this five-day event held in mid-February has become increasingly well attended, and film screenings, workshops, and discussion panels take place at venues around the city. Movie buffs should also mark their calendars for the Santa Fe Independent Film Festival (www.santafeindependentfilmfestival.com), which takes place over four days in mid-October, with an emphasis, of course, on indie flicks.

Violet Crown Cinema

Railyard District
This state-of-the-art multiscreen cinema shows everything from blockbusters to indie and vintage movies and offers a restaurant and bar featuring craft brews and ciders, fine wine, and sophisticated food options, which you can eat in the theaters. The food and drink selection is actually so good that many people choose the Violet Crown simply to hang out—you'll frequently see locals meeting in the bar for a weekly game of cards. Reserved seating means never having to settle for a bad row and each screening room has air-conditioning, making it a great hot weather escape.

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