Santa Fe Will Burn a 50-Foot Monster Stuffed With Your Worries This Fall

Highlights at a Glance: The Burning of Zozobra

• The 102nd Burning of Zozobra takes place September 4, 2026, at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe.

• The event centers on a 50-foot-6-inch marionette stuffed with shredded paper and written “glooms,” representing worries people want to release.

• The 2026 theme, “The Tyranny of Gloom vs. the Spirit of ’76,” celebrates America’s 250th anniversary.

• General admission costs $30 online through July 31, with children 10 and under entering general admission free.

• Visitors can submit their own gloom online or place it in an official Gloom Box before the burning.

Photo Credit: Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe

Why Santa Fe Burns Zozobra

Zozobra, also known as Old Man Gloom, was created by Santa Fe artist Will Shuster in 1924. His name evokes anxiety, anguish, and the feeling of being emotionally adrift, which is exactly what the character is meant to represent.

Today, Zozobra is a 50-foot-6-inch functioning marionette that moves, groans, and waves his arms at the crowd. He’s filled with thousands of written worries before being set on fire, turning the burning into a symbolic release of the previous year’s troubles.

The ceremony is part performance art, part community ritual, and part enormous fire show. Old Man Gloom taunts the crowd as Torchbearers confront his followers. A dancer known as the Fire Spirit eventually appears with flaming torches, defeats Zozobra, and sends him up in flames beneath a fireworks display.

This year’s theme, “The Tyranny of Gloom vs. the Spirit of ’76,” gives the traditional story a Revolutionary War twist. Zozobra has supposedly stolen King George III’s robes, crown, and scepter in an attempt to impose his gloomy rule over Santa Fe. The Torchbearers and Fire Spirit must rise against him, strip him of his power, and send 250 years of symbolic gloom up in smoke.

Photo Credit: Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, The Official Burning of Zozobra Facebook Page

How Zozobra Gets Stuffed With People’s Worries

Building Old Man Gloom is a community project. The giant figure is made from wood, wire, poultry netting, cotton cloth, plywood, pulleys, duct tape, and even pizza pans. Volunteers then pack him with shredded paper and personal glooms until the finished marionette weighs about 3,000 pounds.

People submit handwritten worries, old love letters, photographs, paid-off bills, divorce papers, legal documents, and other safe, flammable reminders of things they’re ready to leave behind. Some submissions are deeply personal, while others are funny or small. Zozobra has room for all of them.

Travelers can submit a gloom online or place one in an official Gloom Box. In-person submissions will be available during ZozoFest at Santa Fe Place on August 29 and 30 and at the Hutton Gloom Tent inside Fort Marcy Park until 8 p.m. on September 4. ZozoFest itself runs August 28 through 30 and gives visitors a free chance to see Zozobra before he’s moved to the park.

Photo Credit: Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, Fe, The Official Burning of Zozobra Facebook Page

What to Expect and How Much Tickets Cost

Gates open at 4 p.m., with live entertainment beginning immediately and the official Zozobra show starting at 6 p.m. Food trucks, vendors, music, dance performances, a beer garden, and merchandise stands fill the hours before the main event.

As the sky darkens, Old Man Gloom begins moving and groaning while the performance builds toward the arrival of the Fire Spirit. The atmosphere lands somewhere between a rock concert, a theatrical production, and a giant communal bonfire. Expect loud music, fireworks, smoke, and a very enthusiastic crowd.

Online general admission costs $30 through July 31, with prices rising afterward and reaching $40 on the day of the event. Children 10 and under enter general admission free, and students ages 11 to 23 pay $15. New Mexico residents, seniors, active-duty military members, and veterans are also eligible for general-admission discounts.

General admission is primarily a standing-viewing experience, although small umbrella-style cloth camping chairs are currently permitted in that area if they’re opened for inspection. Selected premium sections include seating, while others are standing only, so check the ticket description carefully before booking. Premium areas require a paid ticket for every attendee, including young children.

Photo Credit: Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, The Official Burning of Zozobra Facebook Page

Getting There and What to Know Before You Go

Fort Marcy Park is only a few blocks from the Santa Fe Plaza, so walking is the easiest option for visitors staying downtown. Don’t plan on parking in the neighborhood around the park. Organizers direct drivers and rideshare passengers toward the South Capitol Rail Runner Station, where complimentary shuttles operate for the event.

The last regular and accessible shuttles to the venue are scheduled to leave South Capitol at 8:30 p.m. However, because the park’s gates close at 8:45 p.m. and security can take time, you shouldn’t rely on the final bus.

The entry rules are strict. Only approved clear bags are allowed, and that requirement also applies to diapers, food, and medical supplies. Strollers and wagons can’t enter the venue, although they can be checked for free at the Bike Valet. Personal water bottles aren’t permitted, but free drinking water will be available inside.

The burning takes place rain or shine, so check the forecast and dress accordingly. Santa Fe sits roughly 7,000 feet above sea level, and evenings can cool quickly once the sun goes down. Bring a layer, stay hydrated, and give yourself extra time if you’re not used to the elevation.

Photo Credit: Chancey Bush, The Official Burning of Zozobra Facebook Page

Is Zozobra Worth Traveling For?

Zozobra works because it doesn’t pretend to be subtle. You write down something that’s been bothering you, add it to a giant puppet filled with everyone else’s problems, and then join thousands of strangers in watching the entire collection disappear in flames.

There’s something genuinely cathartic about the ritual, even for people who arrive as skeptics. This year’s Spirit of ’76 storyline adds another layer of spectacle, making 2026 a particularly memorable year to see Old Man Gloom meet his fiery end.

Main Image Photo Credit: @paperdemons on Instagram

Frequently Asked Questions: Zozobra 2026

When is the Burning of Zozobra in 2026?

The 102nd Burning of Zozobra takes place Friday, September 4, 2026, at Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe. Gates open at 4 p.m.

How much are Zozobra tickets?

Online general admission costs $30 through July 31 and reaches $40 on the day of the event. Children 10 and under enter general admission free.

Can I submit my own worry to Zozobra?

Yes. You can submit a gloom online or place one in an official Gloom Box. Event-day submissions will be accepted at the Hutton Gloom Tent until 8 p.m.

Is Zozobra suitable for children?

Yes. Organizers describe Zozobra as a family-friendly event, but families should prepare for large crowds, loud fireworks, darkness, smoke, and considerable walking or standing. Strollers and wagons aren’t allowed inside.

Is there seating at Zozobra?

General admission is primarily a standing-viewing area, although approved collapsible cloth chairs are currently permitted. Only selected premium sections include provided seating.

What happens if it rains?

Zozobra is held rain or shine. Check the official event information before leaving in case severe weather affects the schedule.

Can I bring a bag or water bottle?

Only approved clear bags are allowed. Personal water bottles aren’t permitted, but free drinking water will be available inside the venue.