Fiery Foods & BBQ Show February 27-March 1, 2026

The 37th National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show will be held February 27-March 1, 2026.

Disc it grill 

If your not sure if this show is for you ask yourself these questions.

Are you tired of dull gray skies and winter weather? Yes, go out and enjoy the hottest show on Earth.

Do you enjoy cooking, or eating? That's almost everybody right?

Do you like to try stuff before you buy it? Imagine over 100 samples to choose from including hot sauce, salsa, BBQ sauce, seasonings, jerky, spicy sweets, popcorn, and beer. lots to try and buy. 

Do you like the food I mentioned and you want to try something new?  Yes, because variety is the spice of life. This show has variety and spice. Maybe even hotter than you can handle. Go test your limits. 

General Public Hours:    

Friday        3pm -8pm 

Saturday    9am - 7pm

Sunday      10am - 6pm

Tickets: 

Adults            $20.00

Child 11 - 18   $5.00 

Child 10 and under Free

This is prices at the door. You can buy Adult tickets in advance here. https://www.fieryfoodsshow.com/general-public/

Location:

Sandia Resort and Casino, 30 Rainbow Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113

free parking onsite. The event is on the Resort side of the building.

Any additional information about the show can be found here. https://www.fieryfoodsshow.com/

El Pinto many kinds of Salsa

Friday crowd 

JRs Jerky and popcorn

Popped Candy sweet and spicy

Rich's Brownies 

TD's Brew & BBQ 

Premier Distributing samples 21+

See you there

Miss Teddi's 10th annual Trunk or Treat 10/31 6-9pm

Wanna take the kids to trick or treat but you don't like your neighbors? bring them to the trunk or treat on Friday October 31st from 6pm - 9pm in the Tema furniture parking lot 7601 Montgomery Blvd NE.

There will be Trunks decorated handing out candy, DJs playing music, and a Jump house for the kids. 

Its the Halloween party you needed. If you are participating or just attending it really is a great place for the community to come together. 

See you there.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct 4th - 12th, 2025

 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the most photographed event. Get your camera ready.  

Over 500 Hot air Balloons expected for the event.

General admission $15, children 12 and under are free. 

New Mexico residents free day is Monday October 6th. 

Just show local ID.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. 

Here is the online link https://balloonfiesta.ticketspice.com/2025-albuquerque-international-balloon-fiesta

Parking at Balloon Fiesta park is $20 cash only. 

Park and ride to avoid traffic. Tickets include admission, parking at your closest location Coronado Mall, Cottonwood Mall, Hoffmantown Church and Intel. With advance purchase the prices are $25 Adults, $23 Seniors, $10 children. prices increase same day. buses have easy designated route in and out of the Balloon Fiesta park.

 Here is the link with info https://balloonfiesta.com/Park-Ride

Ride your bike to the Fiesta bike valet parking is free. 

Expectations 

• The most balloons launching, entertainment, artists, vendors are at the Mass ascension on Saturday or Sunday Morning. This is also a busy time crowds up to 100,000 people.
• If you don't prefer larger crowds there is space available at the end of the field or go on a less busy day during the week. 
• Balloons launch daily weather permitting. they cant fly in the rain or winds higher than 10mph. We want a safe event. If the event cancels due to weather save your ticket for the next session.
• You will want to get there early because dawn patrol usually starts at 6am with traffic getting in you can expect to leave at 4:30am. 
• The Balloon Glow usually starts around 6pm followed by a fireworks display. 
• Dress in layers it can be 53 degrees in the morning jacket weather, by the afternoon its in 70s and 80s a t-shirt will be comfortable. 
•  Bring a camera, make sure all your batteries are fully charged. 
• Special Shapes day is Thursday October 9th.
• There are metal detectors and searches of purses and backpacks at the gate. 
• Most vendors take cards but internet connections can be slow on busy days so have some cash on hand.
• If you are walking on the field with the balloons and pilots watch the ropes when they are inflating balloons. that rope is going up... 

 I enjoy the on site fiesta experience. I usually volunteer for Chase crew. here's some basic info how to crew. You can sign up to crew same day of the event or in advance at the chase crew tower south end of the field. You don't have to drive your vehicle. You get the opportunity to work with the pilots and crew on the field assisting with getting the balloon from a bag in the back of the truck. To fully laid out in your section to inflate. Cold inflate, then the pilot adds the propane to make the balloon float. finally the zebras (launch director) come over and tell you you're next to fly. Watching the balloons fly away is a magical experience and everybody cheers. When you sign up for chase crew you choose the mornings and evenings you are available, you watch an instructional video, you get a free pass for the fiesta and you meet pilots from around the world. Win/Win 

Schedule of events here https://www.balloonfiesta.com/plan-your-visit/event-schedule/

Entertainment schedule https://www.balloonfiesta.com/plan-your-visit/entertainment-schedule/

Here is the Special shapes that will be there this year https://www.balloonfiesta.com/experience-the-fiesta/special-shape-rodeo/

After the flight the Chase crew has to follow and pack the balloon back up. The balloons land wherever they can find a decent size open space. Hopefully all the neighborhoods welcome our fiesta guests. I love seeing balloons over my house.  

See you there 

Balloons, crew and spectators

main street stage

don't step on deflated balloons 

vendor row food options

Zebra with balloon pilot

NM state fair 9/4 to 9/14 2025 deals, entertainment, food, and fun

 With the aroma of roasting chiles in the air and back to school you know the New Mexico state fair is right around the corner. This year they are offering the Mega pass for $40.50 which includes unlimited rides and admission. That could save you up to $20 on weekend pricing. There are available for advance purchase here. https://statefair.exponm.com/p/buy-tickets

Fair Hours

Wild Mouse coaster on Midway

10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday - Thursday 

(Midway opens 2pm Monday -Friday) 

10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday - Saturday

Online Prices - Fair Admission 

Adult - $15.50     ($20 at gate)

Senior (65 and older) - $10.50    ($15 at gate)

Kids (6 to 12 years old) - $10.50    ($15 at gate)

Children 5 and under - FREE 

pricing online includes taxes and fees. General admission tickets online link here. https://www.etix.com/ticket general admission

Here's the deals

• If you want to go on unlimited rides any day of the week the Mega Pass is a good deal $40.50 includes an all day ride wristband and admission. the ride wristbands usually go for $30 - $40 at the midway weekdays vs weekends. these are only available for a limited time prior to the State Fair. 
• Dollar day is Wednesday 9/10. Admission and ride tickets are $1. earlier in the day is the best time to go. It gets busy when the Midway opens at 2. 
• Main street days has specific themes each day and offers free admission on that day to Law enforcement, fire fighters, military, and veterans. 
• Thursdays are Graze days, All food vendors will offer one regular menu item for just $5 from 10 am - 4 pm.

Getting there

• Gate 1 on Central has parking available for $10.00 from Monday through Thursday and $20.00 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Gate 8 on Louisiana offers ample parking but fills quickly. Parking for Gate 8 is $10.00. There is free handicap parking at both gates. 
• There is a shuttle from Coronado Mall for $10 per person
• Ride share like Uber and Lyft has a drop off gate at California and Domingo.
• Bike Valet will check your bike during fair hours FREE enter at San Pedro gate 4

things to do

Main street days usually 10-3pm 

• Opening day 9/4 Thursday is Law Enforcement appreciation day. 
• 9/5 Firefighters, Smoky Bear and Red Ribbon Relay day 
• 9/6 & 9/7 Classic and Antique cars
• 9/8 Monday is Healthy living and Senior day. 
• 9/9 Tuesday is Military and Veterans day. Free admission for all active & retired military and veterans with valid ID 
• 9/10 Wednesday is Pathways to College and Career day. 
• 9/11 Thursday is Gathering of Counties and New Mexico True day. 
• 9/12 Friday is Science & Technology and Environment Appreciation Day
• 9/13 & 9/14 Closing weekend Hot rods, custom cars, and more classic cars

Music and performances all over the fairgrounds. Whatever your music taste you can probably find it at the Fair. National Headliners and local talent. 

Food Options that range from Cotton Candy, fry bread, burritos, Pizza, Green Chile cheeseburgers and giant turkey legs. Its all there and more. 

Arts, crafts, new fun stuff. Great American Duck Races.

Did I mention Midway rides? Do I need to mention Midway rides. The Sling shot is fun too. 

If you want to view events, performance times, or more info on the fair here's the link.   https://statefair.exponm.com/ 

What is your favorite thing to do at the fair?  

Baby chick in Red Barn 

9/11 memorial on main street

Soft serve ice cream

Cowboy nut Shoppe 

Vintage cars 

Great American Duck Race

Stilt walkers 

Turkey legs and Alligator ...

Foam zone on Heritage

9/11 performance by Navy

Inca Gold Main & Heritage

Music stage Indian Village

petroglyph car Indian village

Southwest Chocolate and Coffee Fest April 5th & 6th 2025

 Southwest Chocolate and coffee fest 

Time, date, location:  

Saturday, April 5th 10am -5pm

Sunday, April 6th  10am -5pm

The event is at Expo New Mexico (the fairgrounds) Manuel Lujan Jr. Exhibit Complex and Main street

Parking is available at Gate 1 on Central, Gate 3 on San Pedro (best option for easy handicap access), Gate 8 Louisiana just south of Lomas, easy access to festival. parking $10

Main St. Lescombes wine

Single Day Tickets:

Special offer 2 tickets for $25 must attend together

Adults (ages 13 and up): $15 online through March 31st. $20 effective April 1st. 

Ages 3-12, $5 Under 3, Free

here is a link to buy tickets, and fun add on experiences like chocolate dessert contest with $250 prize, wine and dessert pairings, beer and chocolate pairings, and bend & brew yoga class.   

https://chocolateandcoffeefest.holdmyticket.com/tickets

The experience: The world's largest festival for chocolate, coffee, and gourmet foods. Its an indoor and outdoor event so dress for the weather. this is a small sampling of all the Chocolate, wine, coffee, treats you can sample and buy. Enjoy it now and later. There is something to offer for everyone. Coffee, Chocolate, food trucks sample everything and wash it down with an adult beverage if you like. You can even sample the beer and wine. 2 music stages. Presentations at the Coffee, festival, and Chocolate stage in the Lujan building. 200 vendors to choose from. So many options.

If you want more information about the event. Vendors, live music, classes, kids stuff, tickets. Here is the link to the page https://www.chocolateandcoffeefest.com/

The Bougie Brie

Benny Bassett 

cannoli sample at Sartori's/Tully's

Sunday Service Motor Co

Styria Bakery 

Quarters Celtic Brewpub

Monsoon Chocolate 

La Goulue Chocolatier

See you there!

36th Fiery Food show 2/28 - 3/2, 2025

36th Annual National Fiery Foods & BBQ Show

February 28th, March 1st, March 2nd, 2025

General Public Hours:    

Friday        3pm -8pm 

Saturday    9am - 7pm

Sunday      10am - 6pm

Tickets: 

Adults            $16.00

Child 11 - 18   $5.00 

Child 10 and under Free

This is prices at the door. You can buy Adult tickets in advance here. https://www.etix.com/Sandia

Location:

Sandia Resort and Casino, 30 Rainbow Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113

free parking onsite. The event is on the Resort side of the building.

The experience:

Disc it 

The show is mostly fiery foods because everybody needs a little spice in their life. Beware the Carolina Reaper and the Ghost peppers they might set your taste buds on fire. Go and get your salsa, BBQ sauce, some jerky, seasoning, and finish it off with a sweet treat. You can even sample a few beers as long as you have an ID that says you are over 21. There are several drink stations to quench your thirst. Samples to try, stuff to buy. 

Everything from healthy, spicy, mild, and wild options to choose from. 

There is over 100 items to sample. 

Premier Distributing 

There is something out there to appeal to your taste buds.

Sunday crowd

Any additional information about the show can be found here. https://www.fieryfoodsshow.com/

See you there

Celina's Biscochitos 

Barbaro Mojo

Zia Chile Traders

Mikey V's

The fudge and snack people. Lories fudge

La Posta 

Jakes Farms