By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper.
Labor Day weekend in Rio Rancho comes with an unusual problem: too many good options. The Events Center hosts back-to-back major shows Friday and Sunday, while local markets, a green chile festival, a Placitas blues concert and a comedy legend fill the rest of the long weekend.
Friday: Brantley Gilbert and an In Living Color alum open the long weekend
Multi-platinum country rocker Brantley Gilbert brings his Real American Tour to the Rio Rancho Events Center Friday at 8 p.m. — his first New Mexico stop on a tour supporting his eighth studio album, “Sins of the Father.” Giovannie & The Hired Guns and Cole Barnhill open. Tickets on sale at Ticketmaster and LiveNation. Doors open at 7 p.m.
Tommy Davidson plays two nights at Quezada’s Comedy Club, with shows Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Best known as one of the stars of In Living Color, Davidson started his stand-up career in Washington D.C. before opening for Patti LaBelle, Kenny G and Luther Vandross on his way to Hollywood. Tickets at quezadas.holdmyticket.com.
The BLOCK opens its September schedule Friday with Johnny Lloyd on the Main Stage at 7 p.m. at 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE.
Saturday: Shop local, roast some chile
The Cabezon Shop Local Market runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cabezon Park, 2307 Cabezon Blvd. SE, with local makers, artists and small businesses alongside food trucks. Admission is free — city offices are closed for the holiday weekend but the market is open.
Big Jim Farms hosts its Green Chile Fest Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at 3521 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, with live music, chile roasting, vendors, kids’ activities, cooking demonstrations, tastings and pick-your-own chiles.
Keeping Up With the Joneses plays the BLOCK Main Stage at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Sunday: Sturgill Simpson — by another name — comes to Rio Rancho, blues in Placitas
Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds play the Rio Rancho Events Center Sunday at 8 p.m. on the Mutiny for the Masses Tour — the first New Mexico stop for Sturgill Simpson’s alter-ego project, supporting his new album “Mutiny After Midnight.” Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets from $51 at Ticketmaster.
The Sandia Chill Concert Series closes its 2026 season Sunday at Placitas Homestead Village, 221 Hwy. 165, with the Labor Day Blues Festival featuring Jay Boy Adams with Zenobia & Woody Key, Big Suitcase (a Santa Fe blues/soul/funk band) and The Rudy Boy Experiment. The show benefits Happy Rascal Ranch. Gates open at 5 p.m., show at 6 p.m. Bring chairs and a picnic. Tickets at CanyonBluesandJazz.org.
The BLOCK presents a free outdoor screening of “Uncle Buck” at 7 p.m. with complimentary s’mores while they last, preceded by Cars & Coffee at 11 a.m. and Braingang Trivia at 5 p.m.
Monday (Labor Day): The BLOCK stays open
The BLOCK is open Labor Day with Boardgame Battle at 6 p.m. in the Top of THE BLOCK Bar.
Big Jim Farms continues its Green Chile Fest Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3521 Rio Grande Blvd. NW.
Worth the drive: Wine festival at Balloon Fiesta Park
New Mexico Wine hosts the annual Harvest Wine & Music Festival at Balloon Fiesta Park over the weekend, featuring 22 New Mexico wineries and vineyards, live music from noon-6 p.m. all three days, food and vendors. Must be 21 or older to attend. Tickets at newmexicowinefestivalalbuquerque.holdmyticket.com/tickets/463745
What’s happening this weekend
Brantley Gilbert — The Real American Tour
When: Friday, Sept. 4 | Doors 7 p.m., Show 8 p.m.
Where: Rio Rancho Events Center, 3001 Civic Center Circle NE
Supporting: Giovannie & The Hired Guns, Cole Barnhill
Tickets: Ticketmaster | LiveNation
Tommy Davidson — Quezada’s Comedy Club
When: Fri, Sept. 4 & Sat, Sept. 5 | 7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: quezadas.holdmyticket.com
The BLOCK — Weekend lineup
Where: 7805 Enchanted Hills Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho
- Fri, Sept. 4 | 7 p.m.: Johnny Lloyd, Main Stage
- Sat, Sept. 5 | 7 p.m.: Keeping Up With the Joneses, Main Stage
- Sun, Sept. 6 | 11 a.m.: Cars & Coffee (SECU); 5 p.m.: Braingang Trivia; 7 p.m.: “Uncle Buck” outdoor movie [TK: Dolly Days reconcile]
- Mon, Sept. 7 | 6 p.m.: Boardgame Battle, Top of THE BLOCK Bar (open Labor Day!)
Cabezon Shop Local Market
When: Saturday, Sept. 5 | 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Cabezon Park, 2307 Cabezon Blvd. SE
Admission: Free
Big Jim Farms Green Chile Fest
When: Sat, Sept. 5 | Noon–2 p.m.; Mon, Sept. 7 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: 3521 Rio Grande Blvd. NW
Johnny Blue Skies & the Dark Clouds — Mutiny for the Masses
When: Sunday, Sept. 6 | Doors 7 p.m., Show 8 p.m.
Where: Rio Rancho Events Center, 3001 Civic Center Circle NE
Tickets: From $51 | Ticketmaster
Labor Day Blues Festival — Sandia Chill Concerts
When: Sunday, Sept. 6 | Gates 5 p.m., Show 6 p.m.
Where: Placitas Homestead Village, 221 Hwy. 165, Placitas
Featuring: Jay Boy Adams with Zenobia & Woody Key; Big Suitcase; The Rudy Boy Experiment
Benefits: Happy Rascal Ranch
Tickets: CanyonBluesandJazz.org
Harvest Wine & Music Festival
When: Weekend of Sept. 4-7 noon-6 p.m.
Where: Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque | Must be 21+
Info: nmwine.com/festivals/harvest-wine-music-festival-albuquerque-2026/