Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Fall festival · Albuquerque · New Mexico
Hundreds of hot-air balloons fill the sky over Balloon Fiesta Park each early October in the world's largest ballooning event, with mass ascensions and the Special Shape Rodeo drawing crowds to New Mexico's signature fall spectacle, running since 1972.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
Dawn mass ascensions and evening balloon glows
Dates from the official announcement — always confirm before you go.
Color nearby peaks: October 21–October 25
Color builds from October 8 · mostly bare by November 15
Method: daily ERA5 temperatures drive a photoperiod + chilling phenology model, sampled at Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s own coordinates and elevation (1559 m) rather than a regional average. Estimates, not promises — check locally before you plan a trip around it.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on the map
More things to do in New Mexico
Aspen Vista Trail
TrailPeak October 11
A wide, gently graded old logging road climbs six miles above Santa Fe through what may be the largest aspen grove in New Mexico, gaining nearly 2,000 feet to a ridge over the Rio Grande Valley, 13 miles up Hyde Park Road from downtown.
Don’t miss: Largest aspen grove in New Mexico · Gentle old logging-road grade
Sandia Crest
ViewpointPeak October 17
A scenic byway switchbacks to Albuquerque's 10,678-foot skyline ridge, where aspen groves color the upper slopes and the summit deck looks west over the entire Rio Grande Valley. The Sandia Peak Tramway reaches the same summit from the city below.
Don’t miss: 10,678-foot summit · Sandia Peak Tramway option
McCall's Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin patchColor nearby peaks October 21
In its 29th season on the Estancia Valley plains east of Albuquerque, McCall's runs a daytime pumpkin patch with hay rides, a corn maze and a castle experience, then flips after dark into the McCall's Haunted Farm on Friday and Saturday nights.
Don’t miss: 29 seasons of harvesting fun · Corn maze and castle experience · Haunted Farm after dark
La Union Maze
Corn mazeColor nearby peaks November 11
A 13-acre maze cut to a new design every year in the Mesilla Valley farm country south of Las Cruces, ringed by a wagon-ride pumpkin patch, cow trains, pig races and a Canna Fairytale Trail. October Friday and Saturday nights add a Haunted Maze.
Don’t miss: 13-acre maze, new design yearly · Wagon ride to the pumpkin patch · Haunted Maze on October weekends
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When is Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta open in 2026?
- The 2026 season runs Oct 3 – Oct 11. Dawn mass ascensions and evening balloon glows. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
- When does Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 21–October 25 (best estimate October 23). Color starts around October 8 and is mostly bare by November 15.
- What is Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta best for?
- World's largest hot-air balloon gathering.
- How do I get to Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta?
- Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is at Balloon Fiesta Park, near Albuquerque. The closest city is Albuquerque, about 8 mi away (it's right in town). It's part of New Mexico's fall lineup.
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