8750' BBQ & Music Festival

Formerly known as Hot Chili Days, Cool Mountain Nights from the mid-1990s through 2019, this beloved Red River tradition relaunched in 2021 as the 8750' Festival — a name that proudly honors Red River’s elevation of 8,750 feet. The 8750' Festival (pronounced "eighty-seven fifty") offers a unique multi-venue experience where you can catch every performance without any overlapping shows.
The festivities kick off with a lakeside dinner and concert at Bitter Creek Ranch, followed by nightly performances at the historic Motherlode Saloon. Starting Friday, Brandenburg Park comes alive with live music and a sanctioned BBQ and chili cook-off, where some of the best pitmasters and chili chefs from across the Southwest compete for cash prizes, trophies, and bragging rights. With incredible live music, mouthwatering food, and the cool mountain air, the 8750' Festival is a true highlight of summer in Red River, New Mexico.