Your Guide to Visiting Albuquerque During Balloon Fiesta

The ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® takes place annually at Balloon Fiesta Park in the northern part of the city. Balloon Fiesta Park is located at 4401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113. Learn more about the Balloon Fiesta Park area of Albuquerque.

The 54th ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will take place Oct. 3-11, 2026.

Balloon Fiesta tickets to both morning and evening events are available at the event, but to plan ahead, you can also order tickets ahead of time via the Balloon Fiesta website, or over the phone. Explore and buy Balloon Fiesta tickets.

Each Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday during the nine day-long event begin with Dawn Patrol and a breathtaking mass ascension, when all balloons launch from Balloon Fiesta Park in two waves, speckling the sky above. Balloons begin to launch at about 7:00 a.m. each day. In addition to mass ascension mornings, other days include launches from the park and special shape rodeos, when a spectacular variety of special shape balloons ascend from the grassy field. Evening events vary throughout the week, but many nights feature a Balloon Glow, when the hundreds of balloons on the field stay grounded, and simultaneously light up the night sky. Other events, concerts and activities take place throughout the week.

Albuquerque offers a variety of options for getting to Balloon Fiesta Park for Balloon Fiesta events including Park & Ride services, public transportation options, specialty tours and rideshare services. Find more information on these services and other transportation options. 

Balloon Fiesta Park has its own general parking lots on the north and south ends of the park. It is $20 to park for each session you are at the park. For more details on parking your car at Balloon Fiesta Park, see BalloonFiesta.com’s FAQ page.

A short list of items you may want to bring with you to Balloon Fiesta Park for any of the week’s events include a camera, a blanket or lawn chair to sit on and a hat or sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright sun. You’ll want to be sure to dress in layers and be prepared for the weather to change quickly. You are permitted to bring snacks and water into the park, but there are plenty of food vendors throughout the venue providing many options for breakfast, coffee, snacks, dinner and sweets. Check out our Ultimate Guide to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for more information. 

Albuquerque offers an outdoor oasis, culturally diverse experiences, family-friendly adventures and a culinary scene for any type of foodie. The city also offers a wide array of other events and entertainment. Visit our ABQ365 Events Calendar to find more events during Balloon Fiesta week.

Check out BalloonFiesta.com for more answers to frequently asked questions.

Navigating the Balloon Fiesta is easy with this new, innovative and intuitive app featuring a parked car marker, the ability to select favorite balloons and pilots, live weather alerts, bathroom locator and even food and vendor information! Search for the “ABQ Int Balloon Fiesta” app in the App Store or Google Play. 

Rainbow Ryders is the only balloon ride company authorized to take off from Balloon Fiesta Park during the Balloon Fiesta®. To book, visit the Rainbow Ryders website, or contact Rainbow Ryders directly. They also offer pre- and post-event rides, and balloonists in Albuquerque offer balloon rides all year long, outside of Balloon Fiesta. Learn more about all other balloon ride options here.