Discover the Spirit of the Old West in Luna County, NM!

Join us May 15-17, 2026 for Old West Heritage Days and celebrate the legacy of Luna County's pioneers, where history comes alive in a vibrant Wild West town!

Honoring Our Wild West Heritage

At Old West Heritage Days in Deming, NM, we celebrate the rich history of Luna County and the pioneers who shaped our vibrant community. Our event honors the legacy of the Wild West, marked by the completion of the second transcontinental railroad in 1881, bringing prosperity and adventure to our town. Join us as we revitalize the spirit of ranchers, cowboys, and outlaws, showcasing the heritage that built Deming into what it is today. We invite everyone to step back in time and experience the stories that define our past and inspire our future!

BBQ Cook-Off

Prep the BBQ, and join us for a competitive Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS)  Sanctioned competition!

As the world’s largest BBQ organization, a sanctioned competition is a professional "food sport" event that follows a standardized structure and rigorous scoring system to ensure fairness and integrity. 



Back In The Saddle, 90's Country


High energy, and playing for you, an eight-piece band from Albuquerque, New Mexico! They bring a 90’s country music vibe singing your favorite artists from the 90’s country music era, paying homage to original sounds .

Drummer, +an  energetic fiddle player, keyboard, harmonica, and mandolin, + an extremely talented trio of guitarists and backup vocals.  

Ranch Rodeo

Join us for the ranch rodeo, a traditional type of rodeo in which teams of cowboys and cowgirls from different ranches compete against each other in events based on the type of work they do every day.

Saddle Up for History!

Explore the Spirit of the West with us during Old West Heritage Days

Historical Walking Tour

Ask us about our walking tour!

The Deming Luna County MainStreet Program has created a Historic Downtown Walking Tour that highlights 16 historic buildings in our district. The Mimbres pottery branding theme is further emphasized throughout the city with wayfinding signs featuring three large Mimbres pottery replicas. These signs can be found at the Deming Visitor Center, Leyendecker Plaza, and the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum. Each of the 16 buildings has a granite plaque that provides historical information about the structure and its original use.

Cultural Exhibits at the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum

Our museum is known as the Smithsonian of the Southwest offering .

The Deming Armory is a historic armory in the United States, located at 301 South Silver Avenue in Deming, Luna County, New Mexico. The building was built for the United States Department of the Army in 1915–16, and is currently being used as the premises for the local museum in Deming. The armory was added to the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties in 1978 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Take me there

Community Events

Check out the newly created community calendar of events hosted by the Deming MainStreet Program & Visitors Center.

Enjoy our year-round events that bring people together and showcase our small town gatherings. From pizza night dinners and sip & paints to live music and plays, workshops, hikes, movie nights, and stargazing, there’s something for everyone.

Take me there

Saddle Up for History!

Explore the Spirit of the West with us during Old West Heritage Days

Visit Deming NM

Scan the barcode and start planning your visit to the old West, Deming New Mexico!

Cultural Exhibits at the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum

Our museum is known as the Smithsonian of the Southwest offering .

The Deming Armory is a historic armory in the United States, located at 301 South Silver Avenue in Deming, Luna County, New Mexico. The building was built for the United States Department of the Army in 1915–16, and is currently being used as the premises for the local museum in Deming. The armory was added to the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties in 1978 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Take me there

Community Events

Check out the newly created community calendar of events hosted by the Deming MainStreet Program & Visitors Center.

Enjoy our year-round events that bring people together and showcase our small town gatherings. From pizza night dinners and sip & paints to live music and plays, workshops, hikes, movie nights, and stargazing, there’s something for everyone.

Take me there

Camp Cody Theater

The theatre was the primary theater located within Camp Cody, a World War I Army training camp in Deming, New Mexico. It served as a key recreational outlet for the nearly 30,000 soldiers stationed at the camp between 1916 and 1919. Since local saloons were off-limits to the men, movies and live entertainment provided essential distraction and morale-boosting during their training.

After the war, the camp was converted into a tuberculosis sanatorium before most of its original wooden structures, including many recreational halls, were destroyed by a massive fire in 1939

Silver Ave, the Early Days

In 1881, a silver spike was driven into the railroad at Deming to mark completion of the second transcontinental railroad, which united the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific railroads.

Deming is the county seat of Luna County and was founded in November, 1881. Named for Mary Deming Crocker, wife of a railroad magnate of the Southern Pacific Railway system the town was the result of railroad expansion to the West.


Frequently Asked Questions

Your questions answered about Old West Heritage Days!

What is Old West Heritage Days?

Old West Heritage Days celebrates the pioneers of Luna County, highlighting the rich history and culture of Deming, NM.

When does the event take place?

Old West Heritage Days takes place annually in May, celebrating the completion of the transcontinental railroad on March 8, 1881.

Where is the event located?

800 E. Pine St., Deming is the host of the Old West Heritage Days, however events will be held through out town!

How can I contact you for more information?

For inquiries, call 575-546-2674 or email ed@demingms.org

Contact Us

Get in touch with us for more information about Old West Heritage Days.

800 E. Pine St., Deming NM 88030

575-546-2674

ed@demingms.org

Monday - Thursday 9AM-5PM, Friday 9AM-1PM

Join Us to Celebrate History!

Experience the spirit of the Old West at Old West Heritage Days! Visit us in Deming, NM for an unforgettable journey into our storied past.