The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a world-renowned attraction and destination for kids of all ages. For more than four decades, the first week in October brings the smell of roasting chiles and the beautiful, magical moving picture show of hot air balloons sailing silently through the crisp fall air.

Guests from all over the world come to Albuquerque to celebrate ballooning.

From its modest beginnings in 1972 with 13 balloons launching from a shopping mall parking lot, the Balloon Fiesta has grown to a 9-day event launching from the custom-designed, 365-acre Balloon Fiesta Park. With over 500 balloons, is the largest ballooning event on earth, the most photographed event on earth, and the largest annual international event held in the United States.

Imagine 54 football fields, all put together. That's the size of Balloon Fiesta Park's 78-acre launch field! And at this Park's "playing field," there are no losing teams and no viewing stands. Guests walk the field and are part of the action.

Hundreds of thousands of smiling, upturned faces, awestruck by the spectacular beauty of hot air balloons filling the big blue morning New Mexico sky. During the glows you walk our field at nightfall and you hear the thrilling roar of hundreds of burners simultaneously igniting, turning the Park into a huge lighted Christmas tree of colorful balloons. What you can't feel until you join us is the massive joy everywhere around you.

Any local will tell you that October is the most beautiful time of year in New Mexico, made so in large part by the much-anticipated sight of colorful balloons punctuating the skyline. During this season, the sky is bluer, the days are gentler, and the mornings crisper -- almost as though the landscape has taken a deep sigh -- and on the desert’s warm breath sails the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

When is Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta?

The 2024 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will take place October 5-13.

The 2023 Balloon Fiesta had a total of 629 registered pilots for 546 registered hot air balloons, including 107 special shape balloons. 12 of those special shape balloons were new to Fiesta.

During the 2023 Balloon Fiesta, there were an estimated 968,516 visitors. That topped the all-time record of 955,703 visitors, set in 2015. There were more than 828,000 attendees for the nine-day event. The year before, there were an estimated 783,866 attendees in the first year back from COVID.

Balloon Fiesta set a new Guinness World Record for the “Largest Display of Model Hot Air Balloons,” of 55 balloons, during the Wednesday festivities.

When should I arrive at Balloon Fiesta Park?

Since crowds for some of our events are in excess of 80,000 people, arriving sooner is better. For weekend events, plan to arrive at the park by 4:00-4:30 am. During evening events, try to be at the park by 4:00 pm. Gates open at 4:30 am and 3:00 pm.

How do I get tickets?

All other Balloon Fiesta tickets are now on sale. The schedule of events is here.

Balloon Fiesta takes place at Balloon Fiesta Park, which is located north of Alameda Boulevard, one mile west of I-25.

Where do we park at the Balloon Fiesta Park?

They have general parking lots on the north and south ends of the park, it is $20 for each session you are at the park. Each parking lot is color-coded and the gates are numbered, so please remember the color and number of the gate through which you entered the field. Please have cash ready as you enter the parking areas, as they do not accept credit or debit cards for parking fees.