The living fusion of Native American & Spanish cultures. Echoes of 400+ years of history. America's oldest state capital. Sangre de Cristo Mountains' aspens turning golden. Crisp mornings with the scent of roasting green chiles. Festival pageantry, The legendary plaza, 1610 Palace of the Governors, and Burro Alley's hangout for gamblers & thieves, now home to creative Southwestern cuisines. 250 art galleries & markets. Music & traditions all-round. Educational & playful. Horseback riding, white-water rafting, fly-fishing. Memorable drives to cliff-dwellings, pueblos, archaeological digs and famed national research labs.

Renaissance Weekend is comprised of hundreds of programs and shared meals in which participants with in-depth knowledge reflect off-the-record on a wide variety of current issues. Lively discussion by all participants is encouraged, and the tone is decidedly relaxed.

Each afternoon is set aside for recreation, including sports, seaside activities, relaxation, and exploring Santa Fe.  Two meals "on-your-own" — Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch — allow participants to sample local restaurants and dine with fellow participants and new friends.

Program

Participants' program assignments are based on information provided on the Participant Profiles page of their online registration, which should be completed as early as possible. Please email the Renaissance Weekend team if changes have been made to your Participant Profile after your registration is confirmed and before we distribute the Tentative Program. 

In mid-August, the Tentative Program and other materials will be sent to each registered party's lead participant, who is asked to share them with other members of his/her party.

Registration opens on Thursday, August 31st at 4:00 P.M. at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa, where participants pick up their materials and the Final Program, and check in separately with their hotel. Proctors and Moderators briefings meet between 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. The first program begins at 6:00 P.M. that evening at the Eldorado Hotel & Spa.

Early arrivals are invited to help with Registration and to notify the Renaissance Weekend staff of their availability. 

The program ends by 11:00 A.M. on Monday, September 4th.

Meals

Conversation over meals is an important part of the Weekend, and all guests are expected to participate in the Common Meals. Only children under three are not charged for Common Meals. The "on-your-own" meals, Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch, are designed to facilitate participants' enjoyment of Santa Fe and surroundings. Meals & Meeting Services Fees may not be reduced for early departures or absences from meals.

Sports & Recreational Activities

Most afternoons — from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. — are set aside for participants' personal and family recreation. 

Unwind at the Nidah Spa with services (800-955-4455) or at the hotel's fitness center. Due to high demand it is suggested that you book spa treatments in advance of your arrival. 

To explore Santa Fe, participants may arrive early or extend their stay, and Renaissance Weekend room rates may be available upon request of the hotel.

Participants arriving after 7:00 P.M. on Thursday or departing before 9:00 A.M. on Monday are requested to advise Renaissance Weekend staff.  The Eldorado Hotel & Spa concierge can assist with any transportation needs.

Albuquerque International Sunport
Eldorado Hotel & Spa is only 60 minutes from the Albuquerque International Sunport, which sees roughly 340 flights daily on airlines including Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Jet Blue, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.

Groome Transportation provides transfer service between the Albuquerque International Airport and Eldorado Hotel & Spa with frequent and convenient trips throughout each day (Telephone: 505-242-0302 or, toll free, 888-775-5696). RoadRunner Shuttle & Charter offers similar services. Feel free to call them at 505-424-3367. 

Note: Please allow approximately 1 to 1½ hour(s) for travel times. Shuttles are ready to depart 10 minutes prior to scheduled pick-up times.

Santa Fe Municipal Airport
Located southwest of the city, the Santa Fe Municipal Airport provides commercial airline service by American Eagle Airlines with daily flights to and from Santa Fe and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX). Commercial service is also offered by United Express with daily service to and from Santa Fe and Denver (DEN) and Phoenix (PHX).

Airport Main Line: 505-955-2900
Airport Information Line: 505-955-2908

The New Mexico Rail Runner train connects Albuquerque to Santa Fe. The trip from the Albuquerque International Sunport to the Santa Fe depot is approximately 90 minutes.

Amtrak arrives daily from Chicago and Los Angeles in the town of Lamy, only 20 minutes from Santa Fe. Eldorado Hotel & Spa can arrange shuttle service on request.

Driving from Albuquerque International Airport: Take I-25 north to Santa Fe, and turn off at St. Francis Exit #282. Travel north on St. Francis 3.5 miles. Turn right on West Alameda. Turn left on Guadalupe Street. Turn right on West San Francisco Street. 

Driving from Santa Fe Municipal Airport: Drive out of Santa Fe Airport onto Airport Road. Turn left onto NM 599 North. Continue approximately 10 miles. Take the Santa Fe Exit (Highway 284/84) to the right. Move to the left lane. Exit "Downtown-Plaza" which will be Guadalupe Street. 

The Eldorado Hotel & Spa is located steps away from Santa Fe Plaza.  Owned by Heritage Hotels & Resorts, a New Mexico-based, minority-owned company, that embodies the culture, spirit, and tradition of New Mexico.  While attendees find it more convenient, it is not required to stay at the host hotel. Feel free to secure your own accommodations nearby, but do let us know where you plan to stay during the R/W.

Camp Renaissance, Teens & College Students

Camp Renaissance is an active program tailored for children ages 3-12 — typically includes presentations by fascinating adult participants, hands-on experiments, indoor and outdoor games, nature walks, musical performances, story-telling, and arts-&-crafts projects. These activities are supervised by the Camp Renaissance Counselors, with involvement from adult Renaissance participants whose experiences are of interest to young people. Camp Renaissance runs concurrently with the adult program and does not provide full-time child care. 

Young people are welcome at all functions. Most teens and college students participate in the Weekend's scheduled program. In addition, they often have designated gathering places, assigned programs, and their own activities and discussions. Teens and college students are usually placed on panels related to their interests, as indicated on their Participant Profile.

College students integrate themselves into the scheduled program. Many form strong bonds and even lifetime friendships during evening social events and programs planned specifically for them.

Parents are expected to oversee their sons' and daughters’ comings and goings throughout the Weekend. Renaissance Institute and Renaissance Weekend, and its staff, assume no liability regarding children or teens.

There is no organized program or child care provided for children under the age of three. Younger children are welcome at Camp Renaissance programs when accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Participants should make arrangements for babysitters at least three weeks prior to arrival at the Weekend by phoning the Eldorado Hotel Concierge for assistance. To maximize their enjoyment of the program, families with very young children are encouraged to bring a baby-sitter or au pair. Although there is no Registration Fee for babysitters/au pairs, they must register for meals at the children's rate, attend solely for child care, and, if practical, may assist periodically with Camp Renaissance. Baby-sitters/au pairs are free to attend programs and panel discussions designed specifically for Camp Renaissance participants.

Camp & Teens Programs are organized at all New Year's and most of the other Weekends.  On the rare occasions when there are few registrants in these age groups at the smaller Weekends, no such specific programs may be organized; and such young people, as always, are welcome at all sessions. Confirmation of Camp and Teens Programs, available six weeks before any Weekend, may be secured through info@RenWkd.org. 

Many say the best time to visit Santa Fe is between September and November. During this time, temperatures range from the high 20s to high 70s.  Check weather reports shortly in advance of the Weekend.

Dress is informal, resort casual, during the Weekend. Jeans are acceptable for day-time programs. Men typically wear jackets for dinners.

CANCELLATION POLICY

All Registration and Meals & Meeting Services Fees will be refunded — less a $250/party processing fee — for cancellations received by Renaissance Weekend in writing via e-mail, fax, or mail, sixty days in advance of the first night of the Weekend. No refund is available for cancellations communicated less than fourteen days in advance. Cancellations received in the intervening period are eligible for 50% refunds. For a one-time transfer of fees, however, payments can be applied towards any of the three immediately following Renaissance Weekends, subject to a $100/party transfer fee, if space remains and such notice is received.  No refund is available after a payment has been transferred and applied to a new Weekend.

Meals & Meeting Services Fees may not be reduced for absences from meals.

Lodging cancellations are handled directly by your hotel subject to its specific policies. Be sure also to advise Renaissance Weekend of cancellation.

Registration Fee

(Youth Registration Fee applies only to children or guests, ages 3-21, of invited adults.)

Meeting Services, Meals & Special Events Fee