The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta draws in nearly a million visitors each and every year. And for good reason! It is truly one of the most breathtaking and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. For the 9 days it takes place each October, Albuquerque becomes THE place to be travel-wise, not just in the U.S., but arguably in the world. The entire city of Albuquerque, which though sizable in population still retains a distinct small town charm, orients itself towards accommodating the tremendous influx of eager visitors. No matter where you are in the city, your conversation inevitably turns towards the fiesta, with each local you meet eager to share their tips and trips for the festival.
Started in 1972 with a modest 13 balloons, this fiesta has “ballooned” to be the largest hot-air balloon festival in the world, complete with over 600 balloons and 700 pilots. Largely because of the ideal weather conditions in the desert, New Mexico has become known as the “Hot Air Balloon Capital of the World,” with this event being the ultimate celebration for the hot-air balloon community.
Though hot-air balloons are a relatively old technology, at least compared to other forms of flight, they continue to captivate the public because of their beauty and grace. This beauty and dazzling array of color is what brought me to Albuquerque to witness this festival, as I had heard it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And spoiler, the rumors were true. Here is my experience at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta…
The Balloon Fiesta’s Can’t-Miss Moments
So what do you go to the largest hot-air balloon festival in the world to see? The awesome chainsaw carving competition of course. Jokes aside (though we do recommend checking out the chainsaw display later in the morning), there are several must-see activities and spectacles at the festival. The first and most famous of which is the Mass Ascension.
Though the schedule marks the Mass Ascension as taking place only 5 out of the 9 days, we felt like there was little difference between the normal balloon launch and the Mass Ascension, which was corroborated when I asked a Zebra (which is the nickname given to the launch directors donning a black and white uniform) who told me that there is not much difference between the types of launches. And this isn’t a knock on the Mass Ascension, but rather a compliment to the festival, as they make sure that no matter what day you visit, you get to see the hot-air balloons rise in their full glory.
I highly recommend starting the Mass Ascension on the field, up close and personal with the balloons, as being able to listen in on the pilots and operators as they prepare for launch is special. The lack of security and formal division between balloons and spectators felt odd, but after being reassured by the Zebras and other visitors that getting close was safe and encouraged, we relaxed and took in the sights to behold. After spending some time with your neck craned up, following the line of balloons as they rise in the early morning sunrise, head towards edges of the field, where you can get a better view of the collage of balloons together in the sky.
Though the Mass Ascension usually takes place around 7am, it is highly recommended that you get there much earlier so you don’t miss the early morning activities. The early day starts with a Drone Show, now in its third year at the festival. In doing research leading up to the event, this drone show is marketed as an afterthought, which is why we were surprised when it truly blew us away. Watching the highly ordered drones dance across the night-sky, forming the shapes of various New Mexican highlights and ending with the word “Fiesta,” was a great way to start the day and a foreshadowing of the beauty to come.
The Drone Show leads into the next two events, which are the Dawn Patrol Show and Early Morning Glow. Not only is the Dawn Patrol Show beautiful in its own right, as watching the flame-lit balloons trek across the dark desert sky is a truly awe-inspiring experience, but it is the most important time of the day because it is when the operators, and in turn the spectators, find out if the conditions are right for take-off. At the end of the day hot-air balloons are a relatively simple technology, dependent on the weather, meaning if there is too much wind, flights are grounded for the day. Luckily flights were given the go-ahead all the days we were there, which was announced over loudspeaker to an anticipatory and applauding crowd.
Between the Dawn Patrol Show and the Mass Ascension there is an Early-Morning Glow, which is exactly what it sounds like. Being able to see the balloons take form in the darkness, lit by the warm flames controlled by the pilots, is truly special. Our favorite balloons, if we had to choose, were the Smokey the Bear and Coca-Cola ones, although there is truly a shape for everyone. And if you have kids, make sure not to miss the Special Shapes Glowdeo, which is highlighted by dozens of elaborate cartoon balloons.
If these activities weren’t enough, on Weekends, Fridays, and Thursday nights, there is an evening festival session, complete with balloon glows, firework shows, and other captivating events (and you don’t have to wake up early!).
Important Logistics to Keep in Mind
I wouldn’t normally go too in depth about the travel and logistics of a festival, but because of the large crowds and early hours, it is important to understand how exactly to go about planning your trip. Though the event is spread over the course of 9 days, it only gets really busy on weekends, when the number of people approaches 100,000. Though you’ll find horror stories of driving and parking wait times online, we visited during the week, so our early morning arrival time of 4am was more than enough to beat the crowds (but still proved invaluable for catching the Early Morning Glow).
I highly recommend visiting during the weekdays, as I talked to many locals who confirmed the online reports of insane wait times on weekends. I’m talking “get up at 2:30am and still have to wait 2 hours to get parked and seated” levels of congestion. This is not to say that the congestion makes it not worth it, as after seeing the magnificence of the Mass Ascension I’d gladly wait as long as needed, but rather it’s something to keep in mind if you want the most carefree and relaxing experience possible. You can always get an extra nap in, but you can’t always see hundreds of colorful balloons draped against the warm New Mexican desert sky.
A Photographer’s Paradise
Another thing we loved about the fiesta is how “Instagrammable” it is. There’s nothing better than when an event or activity looks nearly as good on camera as it does in real life. And that certainly holds true here, perhaps more so than any place or event I’ve frequented. I highly recommend taking some time to get photos and/or videos of the Mass Ascension and Glowdeo, as anywhere you point your camera makes for a breathtakingly stunning shot here.
We particularly loved heading over to the Gondola Club on the Southwest side of the park, where there is a small hill at the foot of a beautiful tree-lined pond, providing perhaps the best vantage point of the balloons rising against the Sandia Mountains. Another great spot for photos (and for the experience itself) is in the center of the field, amongst the balloons themselves, as getting up close and personal to the balloons and their operators is a great way to fully immerse yourself, and your camera, in the atmosphere of the festival. You might even get lucky like us and be able to chat with a balloon pilot, many of whom welcome any and all questions!
Trying Traditional New Mexican Food (With a Twist)
In the days and hours before the fiesta, I kept hearing from locals and previous attendees that it was essential to get an early morning traditional New Mexican breakfast while watching the Mass Ascension. As we stood in the early morning entrance line, I kept hearing murmurings of burritos and donuts and coffee so strong it’ll make sure you’re up for sunrise. This anticipation proved true when the gates opened, as a huge chunk of visitors headed straight towards Main Street, which was a ? mile long strip of pop-up shops and restaurants. It turns out that the breakfast burritos here, a New Mexican special, had a bit of a cult following, as everyone loved getting their hefty meal early so they could enjoy it while seated for the Mass Ascension.
I opted for an early morning latté at La Luz Coffee, which had numerous locations up and down Main Street. I then splurged with some Navajo Fry Bread, caked with powdered sugar and honey, as I was told by an older couple from Wyoming who came every year that it was a can’t miss. After trekking across the park for a couple hours, taking in the sights and sounds, I got a green-chili breakfast burrito (green-chili is one of the most popular foods in New Mexico), which proved to be just as good as hyped.
One thing I’ll make note of when it comes to the food is that there is definitely a “state-fair”-esque flair to all the options. Which is fine, at least in small doses, as sometimes splurging on something sugary and greasy is a great way to get in the vacation mindset. And because the park is so large, we ended up walking a ton, so it didn’t feel too heavy. But all that’s to say that we definitely looked forward to eating healthier later in the day at all the amazing fine dining options in Albuquerque.
All Types of Shopping
Though the food definitely had more of a grab-and-go, state-fair twist, the shopping options were not nearly as limited, as there were dozens of shops up and down Main Street catering to every type of shopper. We particularly enjoyed the more quaint upscale shops, which had beautiful displays of vibrant local jewelry. New Mexico, and especially nearby Santa Fe, is an arts and crafts lover’s paradise, as the area places a huge emphasis on supporting local artisans. Being able to chat with the owners of the small shops made the whole shopping experience that much more rewarding and intimate.
I highly recommend waiting until after the balloons have taken off and landed to shop, as often the crowds start to disperse and you can really take your time going up and down Main Street. Make sure to stop in the “Official Balloon Fiesta Merchandise” tent, which can be found on either end of the street, as that is where you’ll find the best souvenirs.
In Conclusion:
It almost feels rare nowadays for a festival to truly live up to the hype, especially with an event as decorated and world-renowned as this. But that’s the case here, as the Balloon Fiesta was every bit as beautiful and bucket-list worthy as expected… and more! Though there are certainly some quirks to the event (the extremely early morning hours for example), I truly believe that there is no better place to be on Earth during the 9 days in October each year the event takes place.
New Mexico definitely lives up to its nickname, “The Land of Enchantment,” as the atmosphere and vibe of the desert is truly unique, combining the small-town feel of much of the American West with the grandiose excitement of a flourishing economic and cultural hub. So start clearing your calendar (and catching up on sleep), as if the crowds are any reliable indicator, this magnificent festival is here to stay!
