Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Oct 5 -13, 2024 info, deals and expectations

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

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

New Mexico residents free day is Monday October 7th. 

Just show local ID.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. 

Here is the online link https://balloonfiesta.ticketspice.com/2024-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. 
• 
  There are metal detectors and searches of purses and backpacks at the gate. 
• 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://balloonfiesta.com/Event-Schedule

Entertainment schedule https://balloonfiesta.com/Entertainment-Schedule

Here is the Special shapes that will be there this year https://balloonfiesta.com/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.  

Embrace the Sky