The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest ballooning event in the world, and it’s a must-see for any visitor to New Mexico. With over 500 balloons from all over the globe taking flight each morning, the fiesta is a truly awe-inspiring sight. The 52nd Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta dates are October 5 – 13 2024 which is only
If it’s on your bucket list (if its not, it should be!), and you plan on attending, here are our top tips, tricks and best practices for planning for and attending the Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta:
Plan to stay for the entire event
The Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta lasts 9 days (Saturday through the following Sunday) with 14 sessions. We have attended 3 times (2018, 2021, and 2023), and every time there have been sessions canceled due to weather. We have known people who have attended only on one of the weekends, and have had multiple sessions canceled and missed out on the true glory of it. So if you can swing it, plan to arrive the Friday before it starts and leave the second Sunday (there is only a morning session). The 52nd Annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta dates are October 5 – 13 2024.
You must plan early!
Plan early, no matter where you plan to stay while in Albuquerque for Balloon Fiesta. We highly recommend staying on-site at Balloon Fiesta Park in one of the RV lots or taking advantage of the many different ways to stay there such as Camp 505, hotels, Glamping sites, etc…
RV spots go on sale January 10th 2024 at 9 am MST. If you want to attend, make the reservation. They sell out quickly, and have a generous refund policy (all but $30/$50 depending on the type of reservation) up until July 15th. It’s an expensive drop for spots, but worth it if you want to attend. If you do not get a spot (or are up in the air about going), get on a waitlist. Many people plan to go, make reservations, but have to cancel since it’s 9 months after they made the reservation and circumstances/plans change.
Stay at Balloon Fiesta Park!
We absolutely recommend staying at Balloon Fiesta Park in one of the Lots surrounding the park. We have stayed in the south lot all 3 times with the Fulltime Families RV club, and have loved it. There are other options, some other options are:
⬇️ Click the name for more information
Camp 505 – From Balloon Fiesta’s Website: Camp 505 offers a more affordable option for guets interestwed in tent camping during the Balloon Fiesta. Tent accommodations are provided and will be set up prior to the guests arrival. Guests will have the option to keep the camp kit when they leave or guets can leave the equipment.
Glamping – Glamping tents are a quick walk to the launch field, and these have access to restrooms and shower trailers as well as a hospitality area with grills, games, and lounge chairs.
Hotel – There are several around the area to accommodate your needs. However this is a high demand event, expect rooms to be pricey!
RV lots – There are several around Balloon Fiesta Park, you can select the one that fits your needs and lifestyle. We have stayed in the south lot 3 times, and want to give the north lot a try next time.
RV Club Events
Are you an RVer, or have an RV to use for the event? There are several RV clubs that hold rallies there and can be a great way to enjoy Balloon Fiesta surrounded by like-minded people.
Fulltime Families – This is the RV club that we have spent all 3 of our Ballon Fiesta experiences with, and would highly recommend this option if you have kids. It is a completely family-based club and provides family-friendly activities throughout the week before and throughout Balloon Fiesta. They also work with several balloon pilots providing families a hands-on opportunity to get up close and personal with the balloons.
Some of the RV clubs with events at Fiesta
⬇️ Click the name for more information
Fantasy RV Tours – This club takes care of everything for you! They have a huge tent and provide meals and social/networking events throughout your stay. They offer different packages to fit your needs.
Xscapers – This is a branch of the Escapees RV club. Both clubs have opportunities to surround yourself with other RVers.
Airstream Owners Club – They hold an annual event for members of their club, and always have a great view of the launch field where they are set up!
Escapees – The annual event held at Balloon Fiesta Park by the oldest RV club, the escapees.
Boomeres & Balloons – This group is comprised of Escapees Boomers-the largest BOF (Birds of a Feather) group within the Escapees organization-who will be attending the 2024 International Balloon Fiesta in beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico. We will be given the opportunity to crew for a pilot, meet other Boomers and RV’rs and enjoy all that Balloon Fiesta and Albuquerque have to offer.
There are definitely pros and cons to staying at Balloon Fiesta Park, lets break them down:
Pros
*Very short trip to get to the field, whether you walk, bike or take a shuttle, its close!
*You may not even need to leve your RV, the balloons often fly right over the RV lots most mornings.
*You get to embrace the community that you are surrounded by.
Cons
*You are Boondocking for up to 2 weeks
*Spots are small, you are in a very intimmate position with your neighbor
*The lots are on a capped landfill, and the ground is fine dirt and crushed asphalt, so everything gets dirty!
https://balloonfiesta.com/RV-Information
Ok you are there
Now that you have planned all year, and made the trip, here are a few tips to help you make the most of your experience:
Are you staying on-site?
Meal Prep
Depending on how long you plan on staying, make sure to plan your food and water for your stay. We meal prepped for the 2 weeks, and made a couple trips to Costco for bottled water (to save water in the tanks for household stuff) and perishables. We planned easy meals that doesnt require alot of dishes. And for dishes we used paper products.
In an effort to save on water, we brought enough paper plates, bowls, etc for our time there. There are dumpsters all over, and they empty them daily.
Pump & Dump
We have gotten pretty good at boondocking, so this part was particularly easy for us. With our Fulltime Families Rally, we got one pump out included (gray and black water), so we scheudled it about 5 days in, then we paid $30 to have the same service come pump us out the Friday before we left. For refilling fresh water, there is a paid service that will come around and fill you, but we have a water bladder and used one of the many water faucets on site to fill our RV.
*Interested in learning more about items we use to Boondock? Check out our Boondocking Kit here.
Arrive early
The mass ascension of balloons at sunrise is the most popular event at the Fiesta, and it can get very crowded. If you want to secure a good spot, it’s best to arrive at least two hours early. You will need to account for getting there, and through security. Traffic starts backing up at 4 a.m., and one of the advantages of staying at one of the on-site options at Balloon Fiesta Park is you won’t need to drive, you can walk, take a shuttle, or ride a bike.
Bike Valet
Balloon Fiesta provides a free Bike Valet. If you have a bike, this is a great option for getting to the field as it opens early, is very organized and secure. They do close up shop between sessions so you do have to pick up your bike after sessions. We have used this many times, and it is a great option.
Dress appropriately.
The weather in Albuquerque can be unpredictable, so it’s important to dress in layers. In the morning, it’s usually chilly, but it can warm up quickly later in the day. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
Bring cash
We have not encountered this, but have heard that many of the vendors at Balloon Fiesta only accept cash, so it’s a good idea to bring some with you. You’ll also need cash to pay for parking if you are driving in.
Be prepared for the weather
In addition to dressing in layers, it’s also a good idea to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. The sun can be very strong in Albuquerque, even on cloudy days.
Bring a camera
The Annual Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is the most photographed event in the world! You’ll definitely want to capture all of the amazing sights at the Fiesta on camera. The best camera is the one with you! But if you can, bring a camera with a good zoom lens so you can get close-up shots of the balloons.
Take advantage of the free shuttle service
There is a free shuttle service that runs between the Balloon Fiesta Park and several locations around Albuquerque. This is a great way to avoid the traffic and parking hassles.
Purchase your tickets in advance
Each session requires a ticket. Tickets in 2023 were $15 for anyone under the age of 12. Tickets to the Fiesta can be purchased online or at the gate. However, it’s often cheaper to buy them in advance. You can also purchase tickets for specific events, such as the mass ascension or the special shape balloon rodeo. Something worth noting, if a session is canceled your ticket can be used for another session.
With a family of 6 this can get expensive to attend all 14 sessions (6 tickets X $15 X 14 sessions = $1260 for the entire event), so we found multiple ways to get in for free. 😎
Volunteer
Running a festival like this takes many hands, and there are so many ways to volunteer, from working the RV lots to crewing for a pilot. We found many different ways to volunteer.
Navigators
The first year we were there, Harmony and Brittany volunteered through as Navigators. This is a very extensive program and we would recommend this route if you are willing to work a few shifts at Fiesta. They provide volunteers for everything from parking to the explorer tent and in between.
Crewing
We got involved the first year we attended with a pilot, and learned quickly this is one of the best ways to experience Balloon Fiesta. The first couple times we attended, we volunteered for a couple pilots, and enjoyed it, then in 2023 we crewed for 1 pilot the entire week. This was an unforgetable experience as we all got to go up at least one time in the balloon during an ascension!
Media Passes
You are reading this article on our Blog, and they have a media pass program available for a variety of media outlets like our blog all the way up to television stations. We have had media passes all 3 times we have attended Balloon Fiesta. This is great because they have a tent that offers breakfast most days and dinner anytime there is an evening session. They allow access to a tower, and you can even get on a list every morning for a ride in a balloon. You can find the media pass application here.
What should I bring in with me?
Odds are you will be spending several hours in Balloon Fiesta Park with several hundred thousand other people, be prepared to wait!
Bring a picnic lunch
There are many many food vendors around the Fiesta, but they can be expensive with long lines. If you’re on a budget, it’s a good idea to bring a picnic lunch. There are plenty of grassy areas where you can sit down and enjoy your meal.
Something I would recommend getting while you are there is one of the breakfast burrittos. Get them early when they are fresh, don’t look at the price, and enjoy it! Don’t forget the green chili.
Bring a blanket or chairs
Balloon Fiesta Park is a 78 acre grass field (the size of 54 football fields) and there are no chairs, or official seating. If you are ok with sitting in the grass, dont pack anything extra. If you want to, bring a picnic blanket or camp chairs to sit on. We usually roam, and not stay in one spot.
What else?
We have covered so much, here are a few other things to consider while attending the Albuquereque International Balloon Fiesta.
Attend a night glow
The night glows are a special event that takes place on select evenings during the fiesta. During a night glow, the balloons are tethered to the ground and illuminated from inside. It’s a magical sight that you won’t want to miss.
Be patient
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a huge event, and it can get crowded at times. Be patient and understanding, and enjoy all of the amazing sights and sounds that the fiesta has to offer. Something that usually works for us, is make your way west on the field, most of the crowds stay south east (closer to the vendors and gates). That is where the popular balloons are usually set up: IE Vader, Yoda, etc…
Bonus tips
If you’re really looking to make your experience special, consider booking a balloon ride. There are several companies that offer balloon rides during the fiesta. It’s an unforgettable experience that you’ll cherish forever.
Ground transportation options – Whether its getting to Albuquerque, or navigating the area, click the link for some information.
Check out local restaurants! If you like spicy food, definitely go out and try some of the local favorites. Maybe even bring home some chilis with you!
Route 66 Comes through Albuquerque, there are some fun attractions sourrounding it.
General Regional information – In addition to Ballon Fiesta, there is alot to do in the area. If you find yourself with time, there is a lot to check out. We even went and checked out the Musical Highway!
- For information on Albuquerque – www.visitalbuquerque.org
- For information on New Mexico – www.newmexico.org
- For information on Pueblos in NM – www.indianpueblo.org
- For information about day tours – Old Town Ghost Tours, Routes Bicycle Tours
