Balloon Fiesta Insider

The 50^th Balloon Fiesta is right around the corner! And, to help you prepare, below are some of our favorite event tips! 

1. Book Park & Ride tickets in advance. Park & Ride provides round-trip transportation from remote lots around Albuquerque to Balloon Fiesta and is a great way to avoid traffic. Tickets for Park & Ride will not be sold on-site and must be purchased from balloonfiesta.com in advance. 
2. Arrive early. Gates open at 4:30 a.m. for morning sessions and at 3:00 p.m. for evening sessions. We recommend planning to arrive at Balloon Fiesta Park when the gates open. 
3. Dress in Layers.  Early mornings and late evenings in Albuquerque can be especially chilly, with temperatures ranging from 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit. When the sun comes up, temperatures can be in the low 70s and have been as high as 80 degrees. There isn't a lot of shade at Balloon Fiesta Park, so it is good to dress in layers to help you stay at a comfortable temperature throughout each session.
4. Make sure you hydrate. Albuquerque has an altitude of about one mile high. Be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness.
5. Download the Official Balloon Fiesta App. Balloon Fiesta's mobile app provides guests with the opportunity to stay up-to-date on all things Balloon Fiesta, including receiving updates and finding balloons, concessionaires and other attractions. It is available for both Android and iOS systems. 
6. Submit your photo for a chance to win big in the Cindy Petrehn Memorial Photo Contest. Submissions will be accepted October 1-31, 2022 for the 50^th event. The Grand Prize winner will be awarded $1,000.

Fiesta Sky Boxes Are Here!

New this year, is an all-inclusive, VIP experience, for groups of up to 20 people at Balloon Fiesta! Specially outfitted shipping containers will provide an elevated view of Balloon Fiesta, from a prime location on the field. Included in this package is admission to the event, premium parking passes, luxury restrooms, access to the Fiesta Sky Box patio and upper deck, a host bar and individual grazing boxes. Learn more and book your Fiesta Sky Box, here: https://balloonfiesta.com/Sky-Box

Merchandise Update

We’re excited to celebrate the 50^th Balloon Fiesta with you! And, to help mark the occasion, don't forget to find your perfect souvenir! Newly released official tee shirts, five years in the making, with Warner Brothers Looney Tunes characters, will be available for purchase! Other Balloon Fiesta sportswear, pins, posters, keychains, magnets and commemorative 50^th Balloon Fiesta items will be available during the event at our gift shop and at official merchandise tents. More information about where to purchase Balloon Fiesta merchandise can be seen below. 

• Balloon Fiesta's Gift Shop is located at 4401 Alameda Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113
• Balloon Fiesta's Gift Shop hours, leading up to and during the event are: 
• Through September 23, Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
• Saturday, September 24, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Monday, September 26 – Saturday, October 8, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Sunday, October 9, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• The south Official Merchandise Tent is located on the south end of Main Street in Balloon Fiesta Park, in spaces 1-10
• The north Official Merchandise Tent is located near the north end of Main Street in Balloon Fiesta Park in spaces 116-121
• Official Merchandise Tents' Hours during Balloon Fiesta are 5 – 10:30 a.m. and 4 -9 p.m.
• Beat the crowds and shop the south Official Merchandise Tent early, September 29 - 30, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Items are selling quickly, so make sure you grab your favorites as soon as possible!

Balloon Fiesta's NO DRONE ZONE and Security Checks

Safety is a top priority for Balloon Fiesta. And, to help keep guests, pilots and all involved safe, below are two public safety measures to keep in mind.

During October 1-9, 2022 Balloon Fiesta and the four-mile radius extending from the center of Balloon Fiesta Park are a NO DRONE ZONE. Balloon Fiesta and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have established a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for this area during the event and will not allow any unauthorized aircraft, including drones, into the air space. Learn more about this, here: https://balloonfiesta.com/Post/Albuquerque-International-Balloon-Fiesta-is-a-No-Drone-Zone 

Additionally, Balloon Fiesta will have enhanced security checks, including metal detectors and increased bag check stations. Each gate will have multiple security stations and an Express Lane will be available for those without bags or with small clear plastic bags. Learn more about what is and isn’t allowed, here: https://balloonfiesta.com/Post/Whats-Allowed-at-Balloon-Fiesta

Inside the Basket

Gavin Moughan is a Balloon Fiesta pilot that will be in attendance at the 50^th event and has been participating for the past 38 years.

In this month’s Inside the Basket, he shares his favorite memory at Balloon Fiesta, how he became involved and his favorite event tips. 

September in Ballooning

On September 29, 2005, Pauline Baker, a pilot from Trim, County Meath, Ireland, set the distance and duration world records for AX-04 type balloons. After taking flight in Galway, Ireland she flew for a total of 4 hours, 2 minutes and 55 seconds, landing near Mullingar, Ireland a distance of 91.08 kilometers from where she launched. This record is no longer standing. Read more about this feat, here: https://www.balloons.ie/female-AX4-distance-duration-290905.php

September Photo-of-the-Month

We have received some beautiful pictures of past years' events, submitted through Balloon Fiesta's social media! Below is the photo chosen for September. Thank you to Instagram user @alocalwander.

Read all about it

Check out the latest media coverage about Balloon Fiesta

• Condé Nast Traveler shares The Best Things to Do in Albuquerque, the Hot Air Balloon Capital of the U.S.
• Balloon Fiesta Schedule of Events 2022 provided by KRQE

Sponsor Spotlight

Visit Albuquerque promotes Albuquerque as a top-tier destination for leisure travel, meetings and sporting events, and it provides information to help people plan their trip and enjoy their visit to the city. In addition to serving as the Official Visitors Sponsor of Balloon Fiesta and sponsor of the Media Tent, they sponsor the Official Balloon Fiesta mobile app, now available for download! The Official App is a great way to stay in the loop on all things Balloon Fiesta, receive event updates and find concessions, pilots and balloons. Be sure to download it today, ahead of this year’s event. We thank them for their continued support!