Old Lincoln Days

Visitors of all ages are invited to celebrate the legendary history of Billy the Kid and the town of Historic Lincoln during Old Lincoln Days, co-presented by Lincoln Historic Site, the Friends of Historic Lincoln, the Billy the Kid Pageant committee, and members of the Lincoln community. The annual event takes place Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 3 and includes reenactments, lectures, children’s activities, carriage rides, a parade, live music, food, vendors, and the “Last Escape of Billy the Kid” pageant.

The site will host lectures in the San Juan Bautista Church as part of the monthly Lincoln Lecture Series. On Friday, Aug. 1, archaeologist Charles M. Haecker will discuss an archaeological survey done at Fort Stanton from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and Lisa L. Sparks will give a talk on prehistoric lifeways of Lincoln County from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 2, Brandon Dickson will talk about the “Most Dangerous Street in America” from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and Prince G. McKenzie will talk about “The Evolution of the Colt Frontier Six Shooter and the Winchester 73” from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Children’s activities will be offered outside of the San Juan Bautista Church and the Convento by the site, Wonders on Wheels Mobile Museum, Lincoln County Volunteer Fire Department, and other community partners. These activities include crafts, hands-on exploration, and educational information from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 2, children of all ages can participate in a “Where is Billy?” seek and find throughout town. A list of locations will be available at the Anderson Freeman Visitor Center and participants can receive a prize for completing the hunt.

Admission to Lincoln Historic Site buildings and activities is $7 per adult and free to children 16 years and younger, NM disabled veterans, NM foster families, Friends of Lincoln members, and MNMF members. Site admission can be purchased at the Courthouse, Anderson Freeman Visitor Center, or online using a QR code posted around the site. Visitors will receive a wristband to show when entering historic site buildings and participating in site events. Admission for the Billy the Kid pageant is separate and is $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 6-12, and free to children five and younger. Tickets are only available at the gate beginning at 10 a.m. and cash is recommended.