In the heart of our city is the Raton Historic Downtown Arts & Cultural District.
Take a stroll on Second Street to visit Theater Row where the Historic Shuler Theater, The Isabel Castillo School for the Performing Arts, and the El Raton Movie Theatre. The Raton Arts and Humanities Council offers and encourages trained and untrained residents in the performing arts and provides opportunities for artistic participation, self expression, education and enjoyment.
Year round, they host various arts shows and performances that locals are heavily involved in and give our city a wide array of entertainment for visitors and citizens to enjoy.
Raton is your pass to arts and culture!
KEEPING ART ALIVE
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
THEATER ROW
El Raton Theatre
The El Raton Theatre was built in 1929 as an atmospheric-style theatre, in the style of a medieval Spanish castle. In August, 2006, the theatre was listed on the New Mexico State Register of Cultural Properties. The historical is now under new ownership and is being renovated for the future as a multi-use space for movies and events.
The Shuler Theater
This professionally managed, immaculately preserved theater has a large 21' tall stage with state of the art technology. The Historic Shuler Theater open for its first performance in 1915 and is a state landmark that remains the center for performing arts in northeastern New Mexico. It is owned and maintained by the City, and may be reserved for functions and performances.
FILM IN RATON
Mountains and cougars, and bears, oh my! But wait, there's so much more to see. Two words - uninterrupted views. From volcanoes to vistas, historic downtown architecture to wild west culture, your cinematography in Raton will have the audience filled with wonder. We're located on the border of Colorado and easily accessible by plane, car, or train.
Raton is the absolute special effect!
Proximity to CO
Let's just say Raton is "the place" for Colorado Filmmakers! We're located at the base of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range close to the Colorado, Texas, and New Mexico borders, and within 250 miles of the nearest metros and airports. It's really the best of both worlds.
Raton Municipal Airport is a City owned, regional general aviation airport that has hanger space rental available and includes new charter flights to Denver, Santa Fe and ABQ.
Raton is located along Amtrak's Southwest Chief route with a daily train in/out to Chicago or Los Angeles.
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Financial Incentives
Raton is located within the NM Film Commission's "Uplift Zone" in which film projects may qualify for 35% tax incentives. Meaning, up to 35% of your monies spent in New Mexico may be returned through this incentive - the highest incentive granted in the state!
There's no budget too big or small to qualify for credits in NM. Get started today!
Weather
273 Days of Sunshine! Need we say more?
Raton experiences all seasons with an average of 18" of rain and 48" of snow per year. Nestled near the Rocky Mountains, our climate has mild summers and winters. We've got plenty of sunshine and easy access to the outdoors to enjoy all four seasons.
Take a gander at our social media pages to see how you can frame the seasons that affect our beautiful, yet diverse, landscape.
