Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta “Pro Tips”

We interrupt our cycling adventures for a bit of hot air.. as in hot air balloons, and not like the usual type of hot air so prevalent in our blogs. Marcie and I have visited the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta twice now, and on both trips, the experience was awesome. Part of why we enjoyed it so much was because we had the benefit of some great local knowledge. Our source was our nephew and long-time Albuquerque resident Eric Anderson, and we were delighted when he offered to do a guest blog to share his knowledge. Here’s Eric’s wisdom on:

Navigating the world's premiere ballooning event like a pro!

In the spring of 1972 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, 13 balloonists gathered in the parking lot of Coronado Mall, inflated their hot air balloons, and started what is now the largest hot air balloon festival in the world. The event now hosts 500-600 balloons and over 800,000 visitors annually. The nine-day festival currently features drone shows, fireworks displays, daily mass ascensions, evening balloon glows, and more. Such a large event in modestly sized Albuquerque can cause some frustration. As a resident of Albuquerque, I have been going to the Fiesta every year for the last decade and can offer some tips to help you have the best time at this fantastic event. 

Transportation to and from Balloon Fiesta can be challenging. The traffic can be intense with upwards of 100,000 attendees at some events. Don’t end up sitting in gridlock, stressing out. Here are some critical tips regarding transportation:

Tip #1: Leave early. If you plan to drive to the event and park on-site, you must get going early. In the morning, the balloons start to inflate at around 6 am. I always try to be at Fiesta Park by 4:00. I would rather be there early, find a place to sit, and maybe grab some coffee and a breakfast burrito instead of sitting in traffic, hoping to make it on time. Gates open at 4:30 am for the morning sessions and 3:00 pm for the evening sessions. One essential thing to know is that parking on site is usually $20 per vehicle per session and is cash only. 

Tip #2: Secure your lodging early. Failure to find a place to stay might mean you have to stay up to one or even two hours away in another town. I recommend reserving your lodging at least a year in advance.

Tip #3: Use the Park and Ride provided by the Balloon Fiesta. Buses from various points in the city provide round-trip transportation to and from the park. Park and Ride tickets must be purchased online at balloonfiesta.com. There are no tickets available at the Park and Ride locations. 

Tip #4: Try the free bike valet. There are bicycle paths leading to Balloon Fiesta Park and a free bike valet on the park's south end. If you have a bike, consider this option.

Weather can be another issue for this outdoor event. The elevation in Albuquerque is a mile high. We usually have beautiful weather here in October, but it can be cold in the early morning hours. Here are my top tips to avoid trouble.  

Tip #5: Plan to attend at least two days’ worth of events. The weather in Albuquerque in the fall is hard to beat, but occasionally, conditions deteriorate, and a session can get canceled due to wind, fog, or rain. Planning to attend more than one day gives you the flexibility to experience the fantastic spectacle you came for rather than going home disappointed. 

Tip #6: Dress in layers. Consider bringing a blanket. Morning temps at Fiesta Park can range from the 30’s to the 60’s. Once the sun comes up over the Sandia Mountains, it usually warms up quickly. Bring a backpack to stow your extra layers once you warm up.  

Tip #7: Wear comfortable shoes. Balloon Fiesta Park is 360 acres in total! The grass-covered launch field is 86 acres. We usually walk between 1-3 miles during most events on various terrain.  

Aside from the ballooning-related events, there are many other areas of interest at Balloon Fiesta Park. Along the eastern edge are vendors, food, and exhibits, from RV shows to chainsaw carving competitions. Arriving early or staying later will allow you to peruse these shops and displays without all the crowds.  

I encourage you to visit Albuquerque and the Balloon Fiesta. It is a one-of-a-kind event. I hope you will find these tips helpful. This event does make some changes from year to year, so please visit www.balloonfiesta.com for all the latest official details. Hope to see you out there!

Visit our YouTube channel to see Balloon Fiesta Pro Tips from Albuquerque locals! with some footage of this year’s Fiesta. Andersons Outdoors focuses on various aspects of our lives in New Mexico and travel in the Southwest. We have many years worth of videos highlighting our adventures traveling and camping in and around New Mexico as well as our attempts at growing a high desert garden in our backyard. I encourage you to take a look at some of our videos, leave a comment and, if you are interested, consider subscribing to our channel for more New Mexico content.