Now in its 52nd year, people come to this nine-day festival for its mass ascensions of huge, colorful, hot-air balloons. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held on an 86-acre launch field that borders the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about the history and science of ballooning. The balloons take off during Saturday and Sunday morning sessions, but also on one of the weekday mornings, too. If you’ve seen these special-shape balloons up close or ever taken a balloon ride in the past — this is different. It’s total spectacle; the fest claims to be the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. When you go, there’s limited seating at the park, so bring folding chairs or picnic blankets. And don’t miss the festival’s inexplicable chainsaw carving competition.
The Specs
- Last year the festival had over 900,000 estimated visitors.
- Tickets start at $15 per ballooning session per person for general admission. Children 12 and under can enter the festival for free.
- Visiting New Mexico for the first time? Check out Fifty Grande’s guide to the best things to do in Albuquerque here.
FAQs
Where does the hot air balloon festival take place?
The festival is located at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico between the Rio Grande River and the Sandia Mountains.
What’s the address of the park?
For GPS purposes you can use: 5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy NE
If you’re trying to send something to the fiesta office, that is located at:
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.
4401 Alameda Blvd N.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87113
How far is Santa Fe from Albuquerque?
Santa Fe is 65 miles away.
How far is Albuquerque from Rio Rancho?
Rio Rancho is 12 miles north.
Is the fiesta in Old Town?
No. The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta takes place at Balloon Fiesta Park in the northern part of Albuquerque. Old Town Albuquerque is about 10 miles south but there is a Balloon Fiesta Week in Old Town during the ballooning event that includes live music and cultural performances.
What’s the best way to get to the hot air balloon festival?
The festival is most accessible by car, and the grounds have a location for ride-share drop-off if you’ve flown in for the event.
My dog loves balloons, can he come?
Unfortunately no, only trained service animals are allowed into the festival grounds.
Are there any age restrictions?
No, ABQ’s International Balloon Fiesta is open to all ages.
What is the Chasers’ Club?
The Chasers’ Club ticket reserves you a guaranteed seat in a private outdoor patio located next to the launch field where you can take in the morning and evening sessions. There’s also access to private restrooms. The Chasers’ Club is located on the north end of Balloon Fiesta Park.
What is the Gondola Club?
The Gondola Club ticket tier include an admission ticket, beverages, a host bar (except on Sunday mornings), a private parking ticket, a gourmet buffet meal, a collectible pin, courtesy shuttle service, evening entertainment, in/out privileges into the Gondola Club area, and more. To purchase tickets for the Gondola Club visit the Gondola Club page on our website, https://balloonfiesta.com/Gondola-Club, or https://balloonfiesta.com/Purchase-Tickets or call 855-725-1824.
What is the Dawn Patrol?
According to the fiesta’s site, the Dawn Patrol is “a group of selected balloons that launch prior to sunrise on the days of Mass Ascensions.”
What is the Concierge Program?
The Concierge ticketing tier is the VIP experience. You can arrange for your own concierge to be your tour guide while at the Balloon Fiesta and you will experience the event from all angles of the launch field.
What is the glamping experience?
Tents are available in an exclusive location in Balloon Fiesta Park.
What is the schedule for each day?
The schedule is as follows according to their site:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
7:00 am Albuquerque Aloft (at local elementary schools)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
5:45 am Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino
6:00 am Dawn Patrol Show, presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort
6:30 am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
7:00 am Opening Ceremonies
7:00 am Mass Ascension
8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction
2:00 pm America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Inflation
3:00-6:00 pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5:00 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
6:00 pm America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race Launch
6:00 pm Twilight Twinkle Glow™
7:30 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
7:45 pm Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino
8:00 pm* AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
5:45 am Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino
6:00 am Dawn Patrol Show, presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort
6:30 am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
7:00 am Mass Ascension
7:30-11am Fiesta de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)
8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
9:00 am Fiesta of Wheels Car Show (located on north end of Launch Field)
10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction
11:00 am Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Group Tour Tent north end of Main Street)
3:00-6:00 pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5:00 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
6:00 pm Balloon Glow, powered by ExxonMobil
7:30 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
7:45 pm Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino
8:00 pm* AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show
MONDAY, OCTOBER 7
6:00 am Dawn Patrol
7:00 am Balloon Launch
8:00 am Fly In Competition Launch
8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8 – COCA-COLA DAY
6:00 am Dawn Patrol
7:00 am Balloon Launch
8:00 am Fly In Competition Launch
8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9
6:00 am Dawn Patrol Show, presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort
6:30 am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
7:00 am Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension
7:30-11am Fiesta de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)
8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10
6:00 am Dawn Patrol
7:00 am Special Shape Rodeo™
7:00 am Balloon Launch
8:00 am Fly In Competition Launch
8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction
3:00-6:00 pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5:00 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
6:00 pm Special Shape Glowdeo™
7:30 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
7:45 pm Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino
8:00 pm* AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11 – KIDS’ DAY – SPONSORED BY CHICK-FIL-A
4:30 am Kids’ Day Goodie Bag distribution begins (South of Main Street Stage)
6:00 am Dawn Patrol
7:00 am Special Shape Rodeo™
7:00am Balloon Launch
8:00 am Fly In Competition Launch
7:30-11:00 am Fiesta de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)
8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction
3:00-6:00 pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5:00 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
6:00 pm Special Shape Glowdeo™
7:30 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
7:45 pm Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino
8:00 pm* AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12 – ExxonMobil DAY
5:45 am Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino
6:00 am Dawn Patrol Show, presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort
6:30 am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
7:00 am Mass Ascension, powered by ExxonMobil
8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
10:00 am Chainsaw Carving Auction
11:00 am Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Group Tour Tent north end of Main Street)
1:00-5:00 pm Music Fiesta™
3:00-6:00 pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5:00 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
6:00 pm Night Magic™ Glow, powered by ExxonMobil
6:00 pm Fiesta de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)
7:30 pm Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
7:45 pm Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino
8:00 pm *AfterGlow™ Fireworks Show
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13
5:45 am Drone Light Show, sponsored by Sandia Resort & Casino
6:00 am Dawn Patrol Show, presented by Route 66 Casino Hotel and RV Resort
6:30 am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
7:00 am Farewell Mass Ascension, presented by News Radio 770 KKOB
8:00-noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
