Luminarias 2021: San Juan College's Gift to the Community

Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 10:41 AM

The sounds of the season will ring campus wide as San Juan College’s listener-supported radio station, KSJE 90.9-FM broadcasts your favorite Christmas carols.

From San Juan College

Thursday, November 18, 2021

As San Juan College celebrates its forty-third year of the luminarias display, the community will enjoy a glimmering array of bags that will shine from rooftops, along sidewalks, in courtyards and select campus parking lots throughout the evening. Returning this year, guests can choose to either drive or walk through the display. Walkers can begin enjoying the Luminarias at 5 p.m., while the driving route will open at 6 p.m.

Only two entrances will be open during the event. Walkers may park in one of the following lots: Quality Center for Business (Lot #O), the School of Trades and Technology (Lot #K), and the north child and Family Development Center (Lot #P), which are accessible by traveling south on College Boulevard from Pinon Hills Boulevard.

Drivers will enter the College from Butler Avenue traveling north on Sunrise Parkway. They will then follow the marked route through the campus and exit at College Boulevard, where traffic will be required to turn south to 30 Street. Please note that the Pinon Hills Boulevard entrance to the College will be closed during the Luminaria display. As a courtesy, all drivers are asked to turn their lights off as they drive through the display.

The sounds of the season will ring campus wide as San Juan College’s listener-supported radio station, KSJE 90.9-FM broadcasts your favorite Christmas carols. Weather permitting, the San Juan College Planetarium will host its annual Luminaria Stargaze from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., in the inner courtyard. A telescope will be set up to view the night sky.

Mary’s Kitchen will have the c-store open during the Luminaria display from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The dining area will have a limited seating capacity and masks must be worn inside the building.

The Office of Student Engagement and Campus Life coordinates this event with help from the San Juan College Physical Plant, students, staff and community volunteers who set up and light the candles. The week prior, hundreds of area school children and high school students help fill paper bags with sand and candles, which are then set out by the College students, staff and volunteers.

San Juan College invites community members and groups to contribute to this annual tradition by assisting with the set-up of bags on Friday, December 3, or lighting the candles at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 4. Dinner will be provided to volunteers on Saturday, December 4. Volunteers who help pick up luminaria bags on Sunday, December 5, at 9 a.m. will be provided breakfast burritos from Mary’s Kitchen.

For further information on this event or to volunteer, contact the San Juan College Office of Student Engagement and Campus Life at 505-566-3403.

More from Local News

Two Bicyclists Killed on N36 in alleged DWI Crash

The Sheriff's Office Traffic Reconstruction Team responded to conduct the investigation into the fatal crash. Two persons on bicycles (an adult male and an adult female) were struck by a 2006 Ford Ranger driven by Jaron Todecheeny of Aztec, NM. Both bicyclists died at the scene.
One Dead After House Fire Saturday Afternoon

Second occupant in critical condition; Identity of victims not yet released.
First Native American President Named at Fort Lewis College

As Vice President of Diversity Affairs at FLC, Heather Shotton has played a pivotal role in advancing a culture of belonging and enhancing student access and success. In addition to her work in diversity affairs, she serves as Acting Dean of Student Engagement, overseeing more than 70 staff members supporting student well-being and success.
Arrest Made after Durango Rec Center Damaged by Gunfire

The initial call was received at 5:23 AM. The individual was identified from video surveillance. The male was contacted by Durango Police Department Patrol and is now in custody. He has been identified as Joe Brinkerhoff, a resident of the City of Durango. Due to a prior incident, Joe Brinkerhoff was trespassed from the property and his Rec Center privileges were suspended.
Police Arrest Woman for Husband's Fatal Stabbing 5 years ago

After a thorough and ongoing investigation by detectives and working with the district attorney's office, a thorough review of the case was conducted, and the decision to proceed with criminal charges was made. A warrant was issued to charge Heather Fernandez-Hoefer. She was taken into custody without incident on April 1, 2025.
Update: Arrest Made in Fatal Shooting

Upon arrival, deputies made contact with multiple individuals including juveniles and young adults and located a deceased individual identified as Samuell Tariq Liggins, age 20.