Every year, New Mexico hosts the Albuquerque balloon festival— the most photographed event in the world. (See my photo gallery below.) And with nearly 600 participants, it’s also the world’s largest gathering of hot air balloons. The 9-day celebration— technically known as the “Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta”— occurs each October at a park specially designed for the purpose. Balloonists across the USA and from two dozen countries participate.
Balloon Fiesta Park is the size of 34 American football fields. And it’s unique in the ballooning world because it allows visitors direct access to the balloons and their crews. First-time attendees might find it a bit confusing to plan a visit, though. So here are some tips to enhance your trip to the Albuquerque balloon festival.
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – Dates
The Albuquerque balloon festival occurs during the first full week of October— always beginning on a Saturday and ending 8 days later on Sunday. So the precise dates change each year. And the schedule of events varies from day to day, with the most— and I think best— activities on weekends.
There are two “sessions” each day— one in the morning and one in the evening. A ticket is needed for each session. The park has unlimited capacity, though, so there’s no danger of general admission tickets selling out. However, there are “VIP” areas with limited seating for which you must plan ahead. (More about them below.)
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – Best Time to Go
I agree with local residents and repeat attendees— the first weekend is the best time to visit the Albuquerque balloon festival. It has the most activities and usually the most balloons.
Opening Weekend at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
On Saturday and Sunday, there’s an impressive pre-dawn drone show. It’s followed by a “morning glow,” when flames from the burners beautifully illuminate the balloons in the dim light. Then there’s a mass ascension of 500-600 balloons, in successive waves that together last about two hours. (They don’t all go up at once, so you have plenty of time to maneuver across the field and see the variety on display from diverse angles.) And on Saturday, you’ll witness the opening ceremony’s flyover of vintage planes.
There are no ascensions at night. But you do get an evening glow, followed by another, even more spectacular drone show. The night is capped by the longest and largest fireworks display I’ve ever seen.
Albuquerque Balloon Festival – The Best Views
I walked the entire field, day and night, on Saturday and Sunday of opening weekend. And I had access to the Gondola Club’s VIP area at the south end of the field. In my opinion, the best viewing spot for the drone shows and the fireworks is midfield, near the north end of the park. The views there are unobstructed and close to the action.
And for the best views and photos of the balloons— including the ascensions and glows— get onto the field, right up close, and move around. You can stand within a few feet of every balloon. Don’t stay on the perimeter of the park, where all the VIP tents are. The action and excitement are on the field!
Launching a Hot Air Balloon
It takes a lot of people, time, and work to get a balloon in the air. At least a dozen folks on the ground help to ready each balloon for launch. And a separate “chase crew” tracks the airborne balloon to whichever landing site the wind carries it. Pilots can raise and lower the balloon themselves but otherwise learn to “steer” by riding the air currents.
Once on the ground and ready for packing, the 350-pound “envelope” has to be folded and compressed into a carrying case. Then the envelope, gondola, ropes, crew gloves, propane tanks, and other gear are loaded into a single U-Haul type trailer. And in case you’re wondering, most of the balloons are powered by four, 10-gallon propane tanks. The festival’s sponsors pay for the fuel.
Talk to the Balloon Pilots and Crews
Pilots and crew— many of whom are local volunteers— are happy to talk to visitors, explain how things work, and answer questions. The atmosphere on the field is very collaborative, friendly, and fun. As long as you stay clear of the ropes keeping the balloons in place, you’ll be warmly welcomed.
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – Activities and Schedule
There’s more to see than “just” balloons. There’s a lengthy “Main Street” of food and souvenir tents. At one end of the field, you can watch a daylong woodcarving exhibition or visit an indoor artisans market. Kids’ activities are offered throughout the venue. They even have skydiving demonstrations.
Weekday activities are scaled back but feature special events like a car show, an ascension of special-shape balloons, and an exhibition of smaller, remote-controlled balloons. Check the festival’s website for a complete schedule.
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – Weather Considerations
Most of the scheduled activities take place rain or shine. But the skydiving demonstrations and balloon events are weather-dependent. Wind, in particular, can shut things down. And it doesn’t have to be a stiff wind— a light breeze on the ground can be much stronger at higher altitudes and dangerous for the balloons. Warm, breezy weather also makes it difficult to inflate the balloons.
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – Tickets
General admission tickets cost $15 per person, per session for individuals 13 and older.
The morning session runs from 04:30 to 12:00, and the evening session lasts from 15:00 to 21:00. Tickets are non-refundable, but rain checks are given for any session during which a balloon event is canceled.
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – Parking Tips
Essentially, you have two options for getting to the venue. You can drive yourself and park at the field, or use the park and ride bus service.
Parking On-Site
Public parking for general admission tickets is $20— cash only— at the field. Be prepared for very long, slow lines. (For the morning session of opening day, it took me one hour to go one mile, starting at 04:15!) And note that Alameda Boulevard NE— the main approach to the park— becomes one-way heading east at congested times during the festival. Be sure to plan your route accordingly.
VIP Parking
Preferential parking is included with a Concierge ticket, Gondola Club ticket, and some sponsors’ VIP passes. (More details below.) It’s in a slightly more convenient location than general parking. But the real advantage is once you get to Alameda Boulevard— with any VIP parking pass, you can use a reserved lane to bypass the long line of traffic waiting for general parking. But you’ll still have to contend with any delays getting to Alameda Boulevard.
Park and Ride
There are four satellite parking lots that provide shuttles to and from the field every day except Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. The shuttles also use the reserved lane to bypass other traffic. However, you will need to leave the park before it closes to catch the last shuttle. See the schedule here.
The nonrefundable park and ride tickets are available only online and include general admission to the field. If purchased on the day of use, park and ride tickets cost $13 for children aged 6-12, $28 for people aged 13-61, and $26 for seniors aged 62+. However, tickets for anyone aged 13+ are discounted $3 when purchased in advance. Children 5 and under are always free.
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – VIP Areas
Gondola Club
For $130 per person per session, visitors aged 6+ can buy access to the Gondola Club’s VIP area at the south end of the field. Nine morning sessions (05:00-10:00) and five evening sessions (17:00-21:00) are available. As with general admission, there are no refunds— only rain checks.
Your ticket gets you entry to the park, VIP parking, and a buffet meal with three bar drinks included. The deal also gets you private bathrooms, live entertainment (evenings only), two free gifts, access to a private souvenir shop without the lines, and free golf cart shuttles to the parking area and Main Street.
Gondola Club – Is It Worth It?
The promise of the “best view” of the park sold me on the Gondola Club. But I concluded the best view is on the field— and for the aerial shows, at the north end of it. I wouldn’t pay for the Gondola Club again, although persons with limited mobility will find the services and amenities very helpful.
Chaser’s Club
The Chaser’s Club is a cheaper ($65 per person, per session), watered down version of the Gondola Club. You forfeit the parking, alcohol, free gifts, and private souvenir shop. Otherwise, it’s a comparable experience but at the north end of the field (which I think is a better location from which to view all events).
Concierge
And if you’re willing to shell out $350 per couple, per session, you get park entry, VIP parking, a gift, and your own private golf cart and guide.
All VIP experiences can be purchased at the official website once tickets for the next festival go on sale March 4, 2025.
Balloon Rides at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival
If watching from the ground isn’t enough, you can hop on one of the balloons. Rainbow Ryders has the exclusive license to sell rides during the festival. But you’ll pay dearly— at the festival rate of $625 per person for 45-60 minutes in the air. All told, though, it’s a 5-hour commitment with preparation and pick-up/return from the landing site. Rainbow Ryders offers daily rides at half that rate during other times of the year.
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta – Mark Your Calendars
I booked my Gondola Club tickets the day they went on sale— exactly 6 months prior to opening day. With dates confirmed, I immediately booked my hotel and rental car, too. And once Southwest Airlines opened its schedule for October, I reserved my flights. Prices for all three soared as the festival drew nearer, so plan as far in advance as possible. (My hotel and flights were free, thanks to my branded Marriott and Southwest credit cards.)
While in Albuquerque…
I took advantage of my time in Albuquerque to join a fantastic tour of Breaking Bad film locations, shop the galleries in Old Town, witness Native dances at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and spend an afternoon in Santa Fe. New Mexico is an easy place to visit with great fall weather— and with everything you need to plan a visit to the balloon festival here for easy reference, you’re now ready to book your trip.
