The Best Ways to See New Mexico’s Annual Balloon Fiesta

You, too, can be part of an actual balloon launch crew—no experience required. Get in on the action firsthand by assisting pilots and crew chiefs in inflating, supporting, and landing balloons. As many former crew volunteers attest, being a regular ol’ spectator won’t do once you try being crew!

Some duties include: transporting the basket on and off the chase vehicle, crowd control during inflation, holding the crown line to ensure the balloon doesn’t topple over, and when it lands, actually chasing the balloon down (don’t worry, no running necessary—you’ll be in a chase vehicle).

Afterward, your hard work is rewarded with a post-landing champagne toast—a French tradition that began as a friendly gesture to make nice with local farmers to avoid a pitchfork in your balloon when you landed on their homestead. Registration for the 2023 Balloon Fiesta chase crew is from July 15 – September 2, 2023, sign up here. However, you can still sign-up onsite at the Chase Crew Headquarters before each morning and afternoon session.

Not only is the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum an eye-opening education in hot air balloon aviation, but it also offers a birds-eye view of the Albuquerque balloon festival with perks during the festival. Located at the edge of the fairgrounds, the Balloon Museum has a VIP experience—40% of your ticket price goes to funding the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation—on their second-story Observation Deck for the morning ascension or evening glow. It includes a New Mexican-themed breakfast or dinner, think homemade tortillas, green and red chili beef, guacamole, salsas galore and bizcochitos for dessert, New Mexico’s official state cookie. Observation Deck tickets ($75 – $200) also include tickets to the Balloon Museum and Balloon Fiesta Park; a 2023 collector’s pin; one complimentary drink at the cash bar; discounts at the museum’s gift shop; and a VIP parking pass (the most coveted perk of all—like an E-ticket at Disneyland) that allows you to skip the long lines of general parking for parking in the museum’s lot, which is literally a two-minute walk to the Fiesta field.

Hundreds of thousands of humans organize Albuquerque’s balloon festival every year, but Mother Nature is the real head honcho. Since calm weather conditions are crucial for pilot and balloon safety, and New Mexico’s weather can be famously temperamental—especially if there are freakish conditions affecting it, like in 2022 when Hurricane Ian’s aftermath resulted in cloudy skies and rain for Albuquerque and several events were called off—be prepared for event cancellations.

Plan your stay to include at least two mass ascensions and two night glows, the festival’s best events. That way, if one ascension or glow gets nixed due to stormy skies, there’s a good chance you’ll see the next one.

Events can also be delayed up to a few hours as officials wait for the weather to improve. Download the Balloon Fiesta app and check the ”Prepare for Weather Cancellations” tab for the most up-to-date weather updates and event status designated by flag color. Updates are also posted on their official Twitter account. A red flag means the event has been canceled; a yellow flag means officials are delaying the event in hopes of better weather; and a green flag means—yes, you guessed it, all systems go!

Like Burning Man, this festival draws outdoor enthusiasts. Have a Volkswagen bus or camper van? There’s a “Buses and Balloons” campsite ($5 per day) just for you at Alameda Little League Field. Watch the balloons overhead without ever leaving your campsite, or take a short stroll on a dedicated path to the Balloon Fiesta Park.

If you prefer a side of glamour with your camping, glamping tents are available for rent onsite. Balloon Fiesta glamping amenities during the minimum three-night stay include premium parking, a queen or two twin beds, a heater, linens, admission to the festival, and the best part—access to restrooms and hot showers.

New in 2022, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center now rents dry RV Camping spots ($50-$60 per night) and tent sites ($15 per night) on its campus during the nine-day event. Although this venue isn’t located right next to Balloon Fiesta Park, you’ll still be able to see balloons from the area. The Balloon Fiesta Park also rents RV spots but those usually sell out months in advance.

There’s nothing like sitting in congested balloon festival traffic to ruin your merry mood. Avoid the traffic buzzkill by purchasing park and ride tickets (from $22-$25 per adult and includes admission) in advance and online only for the event shuttles. Available at three locations around the city, you’ll be at the launch field in no time and, more importantly, back at your car quickly when you’ve had your fill of hot air balloon watching.

Another tip is to splurge on the ultimate VIP experience—the Concierge Program, among other perks, it includes a premium parking pass that allows you to skip the long lines of cars waiting to park. Otherwise, the cost for general parking at the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque is $20; have cash on hand to pay at the entrance of each lot.

Bicyclists score big at the Balloon Fiesta with a free bike valet onsite. Routes Bicycle Tours offers 16-mile guided rides ($145 pp) from Los Poblanos Inn, including breakfast and admission. Free-to-Roam eBikingalso offers 6-mile morning and evening rides ($149 pp) from Canteen Brewhouse on e-bikes lit up like Christmas trees during New Mexico’s hot air balloon festival; ticket price includes breakfast, a beverage, and admission.

Even if you can’t make it to New Mexico’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, you can still enjoy the spectacle via streaming. Access all 14 events at the Balloon Fiesta Live Facebook or YouTube. Live streams happen daily from October 7-15, 2023 at 6 am MT and 6 pm MT.