New Mexico’s entertainment and events industry gathered on Sunday, July 12, at the African American Performing Arts Center for the 2026 New Mexico Entertainment Awards, an evening dedicated to honoring the artists, performers, creators, businesses, and organizations that continue to shape the state’s vibrant entertainment and events landscape.
Presented by New Mexico Entertainment Magazine, the annual awards recognized excellence across 60 categories, celebrating achievements in film, television, theater, music, comedy, dance, literature, visual arts, nightlife, events, and more. Winners were selected following months of community nominations and public voting, reflecting the voices of audiences from across New Mexico.
“The New Mexico Entertainment Awards exist to celebrate the incredible talent that calls our state home,” said Teresa Robinson, Executive Producer of the New Mexico Entertainment Awards. “Every nominee and winner represents the passion, creativity, and dedication that make New Mexico’s entertainment community so unique. It was an honor to bring everyone together to celebrate those accomplishments.”
One of the evening’s most memorable moments was the presentation of the 2026 ICON Award to Argos MacCallum, honoring his decades of contributions as an actor, poet, director, educator, and co-founder of Teatro Paraguas. MacCallum’s lifelong commitment to the performing arts has inspired generations of artists while helping strengthen New Mexico’s cultural landscape.
The ceremony also featured a moving In Memoriam tribute honoring members of New Mexico’s entertainment community who passed away during the past year. The tribute was accompanied by a heartfelt performance from Coco’s Cabaret, featuring 2026 Top Drag Performer – Queen Coco Caliente, celebrating the lives and lasting legacies of those whose work enriched the state’s creative community.
Throughout the evening, audiences enjoyed live performances from BreakingEven, Sarah Lowe, Sarina Ochoa, Musical Theatre Southwest performing selections from Evil Dead the Musical, Cardboard Playhouse, and the moving memorial performance by Coco’s Cabaret.
2026 New Mexico Entertainment Award Winners
Events & Media
Top Annual Event
Top Monthly Event
Top Weekly Event
Top Event Producer
Avery & Dyonne Dahl – Chocolate Factory
Top Television Station
Top Television Personality
Top Radio Station
Top Radio Personality
Top Podcast
Top Podcast Host
Noah Vargas – Improvised Intelligence
Film & Television
Top Film Production Studio
Top Film Production – Featured Film
Top Production – Series – Television or Film
Top Local Actor – Film or Television
Top Local Actress – Film or Television
Theater & Performing Arts
Top Theatrical Venue
Top Theatrical Production – Play
How the Other Half Loves – West End Productions
Top Theatrical Production – Musical
Evil Dead the Musical – Musical Theatre Southwest
Top Actor in a Play
Crash Buist – Coriolanus – New Mexico Shakespeare Festival
Top Actress in a Play
Merritt Glover – A View From the Bridge – The Vortex Theater
Top Actor in a Musical
Jesse Miller – Evil Dead the Musical
Top Actress in a Musical
Marley Crump – Hadestown – Cardboard Playhouse Theater Company
Top Costume Designer – Theater
Top Choreographer
Top Dance Company or Ensemble
Top Performing Arts Group
Cardboard Playhouse Theater Company
Comedy, Nightlife & Live Entertainment
Top Comedy Venue
Top Comic Host
Top Stand-Up Comic
Top Amusement Venue
Top Live Music & Performance Venue
Tumbleroot Brewery and Distillery
Top Nightclub
Top DJ
Drag & Variety Arts
Top Drag Performer – Queen
Top Drag Performer – King
Top Burlesque Performer
Top Costume Designer – Performer
Music
Alternative / Indie
Metal
Jazz / Blues
Hip-Hop / Rap
Country & Western
Americana / Folk / Bluegrass / Rockabilly
Global Music
Top Cover Band or Artist
Top Musical Front Person / Lead Singer
Top Spoken Word Artist
Visual Arts, Literature & Community
Top Art Venue
Top Fine Artist
Top Digital Illustrator
Top Photographer
Top Author
Top Bookstore
Dining & Sports
Top Sports Team
Top Restaurant
Top Chef
The New Mexico Entertainment Awards extends its sincere appreciation to the nominees, presenters, performers, volunteers, sponsors, and attendees who helped make this year’s celebration a success.
Planning is already underway for the 2027 New Mexico Entertainment Awards, which will take place on Sunday, July 11, 2027, continuing the tradition of recognizing the outstanding talent that makes New Mexico one of the country’s most dynamic creative communities.
For more information about the New Mexico Entertainment Awards, visit nmentertains.com/nmeawards.
Albuquerque SHOWS
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THE CRUCIBLE Adobe Theater (9/04-9/27) |
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The Magic Flute Santa Fe Opera (7/04-8/28) |
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Madama Butterfly Santa Fe Opera (7/03-8/29) |
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Staind, Seether, Hoobastank & Hinder First Financial Credit Union Amphitheater (10/14-10/14) |
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Ghostbusters in Concert Popejoy Hall (8/02-8/02) |
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Hamilton (Angelica Company) Popejoy Hall (8/31-9/12) |
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CLUE Adobe Theater (10/16-11/08) |
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Bless Me Ultima Vortex Theatre (7/10-7/26) |
| <img src="https://absafricatv.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/nd6a0c2a6ef059e.jpg" alt="An Evening of Contemporary Dance in Albuquerque”> | An Evening of Contemporary Dance Lensic Performing Arts Center (8/01-8/01) |
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Heartstrings Presents: Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. Heartstrings Theatre Company (7/24-7/26) |
