The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico

Fiesta Events Fiesta Races Nearby Hotel Balloon Museum Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is an annual event held over nine days in Albuquerque each October. The event began in 1972 with just 13 balloons taking flight in a race that started from a local shopping center parking lot. Today, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta features more than 750 balloons on display and over 100,000 spectators, making it the largest balloon event in the world.

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Events. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta offers more than just the excitement of watching hot air balloons fly off into the distance. Attendees to the Fiesta can enjoy a variety of events throughout the nine days of the event. Spectators can watch behind the scenes at the popular dawn patrol event, where pilots inflate the balloons before dawn, then take off before sunrise for an early morning flight. A popular event at the Fiesta is the Special Shape Rodeo, a non-traditional event featuring oddly shaped balloons, including famous shapes like a milk cow, bees, and soda cans. The “Glowdeo” is a fantastic evening event that displays the special shape balloons all lit up at a nighttime extravaganza. The Fiesta’s big event is the Mass Ascension, where all of the balloons in the Fiesta launch at once, in a coordinated effort that is the highlight of the event.  [Top]

Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Races. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta races are an exciting highlight of the event, with several thrilling race competitions throughout the nine-day festival. The Fiesta Challenge tests the skill of balloonists as they attempt to drop markers closest to a target. The America’s Challenge Race challenges special long distance balloons and their pilots to an endurance race to see which balloon can go furthest, with many past winners reaching the east coast and even Canada. In addition to the Fiesta Challenge and America’s Challenge, the Balloon Fiesta also includes other exciting piloting, skill, and speed competitions each day during the event.  [Top]

Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Opened in 2005, the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is a 59,000-square foot museum dedicated to the sport of hot air ballooning. The museum offers a wide range of exhibits on the history of ballooning, information, photographs, and artifacts from famous balloonists as well as a library, educational classrooms and exhibit space. A highlight of the museum is an authentic tethered balloon that offers rides for visitors to experience the thrill of ballooning. The museum is open Tues-Sun, 9am-5pm. www.cabq.gov/balloon/  [Top]

Attend the International Balloon Fiesta. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held over nine days each October. Single admission tickets are $6 per person and children under 12 are free. Daily parking passes are $10. For more information on the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, visit www.balloonfiesta.com.   [Top]