Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a "must do." Fall in New Mexico is a time of cooler temperatures and brilliant colors. The Aspen forests in the north paint the mountainsides. Albuquerque hosts wine and arts and crafts festivals. But what most visitors look forward to in fall is the colorful International Balloon Festival.

When: October 4 - 12, 2008

What you will see: Hundreds of balloonists representing one-third of the world’s countries will launch their magnificent flying machines to float gently over the beautiful New Mexico landscape. The Fiesta includes such events as evening fireworks, mass ascensions, balloon glows, the Special Shapes Rodeo, and the America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race.

Where: Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque Maps. Balloon Fiesta Park is located north of Alameda Boulevard, one mile west of I-25. There are shuttles to the park as well as places to park your car.

Planning and Booking Your Trip

Booking early is key to getting the best rates and to being able to stay near Balloon Park. Through Kayak, you have access to the best rates through most all the booking search engines:

Book Air Travel to Albuquerque Online and Save
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Best of the Fiesta: The glow at dawn or dusk is not only beautiful, it is the best time to take balloon photos. According to festival organizers, dawn or dusk create beautiful lighting opportunities where the warmth of "Balloon Glow" blends with velvet blue of muted skylight. Photographers call this "the jewel box effect". More than 700 balloons launch from 72 grass-covered acres at Balloon Fiesta Park where guests can find opportunities to interact with pilots and their crews as they inflate and launch their balloons from the field.

For RV'ers

The Festival has spots for you but you must reserve early. Hurry and make your reservations now to assure the type of site you prefer. Our four site types include Standard (dry camping), Premium (low pressure water and electricity with 20 Amps minimum), VIP (dry camping adjacent to the launch field with entry passes included) and President's Compound (premier sites on a bluff overlooking the launch field with city water pressure and 30 Amp minimum electricity). Here is where you can find out how to reserve your space.

Planning for the Future

Future Balloon Fiesta dates are as follows:
2009 - October 2 - 11
2010 - October 1 - 10

Memorialize Your Love for the Balloon Fiesta

The Balloon Fiesta Park is undergoing an upgrade, part of which is a great new path leading to the park. For a donation you can purchase a brick, inscribed as you wish, which will be part of this new pathway.

When You Go:

2008 Day By Day Schedule

Tickets: Purchase tickets in advance. They are available online.

Packing: You will need to dress in layers. Albuquerque is one of those mile high cities. At night or in early morning it can get quite chilly.

As the sun comes out, you will need sunscreen and sunglasses.

For night events, bring a flashlight.

Of course, bring your camera. Pack high speed film. Twilight and night are low levels of light which require high speed films, like Kodacolor Royal Gold 1000 to Twilight and night are low levels of light which require high speed films, such as 800 or 1000 speeds.

Photo Gallery

To entice you to Albuquerque, enjoy our Balloon Fiesta Photo Gallery.

Places to Stay

American RV Park