The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is every bit as breathtaking as people say.
We lived in Albuquerque for two years and went to Balloon Fiesta at least twice each year. And I could honestly go every day. It’s that amazing!
Visiting Balloon Fiesta with kids is truly magical. The wonder in their eyes as they watch hundreds of hot air balloons take off into the October sky as the sun rises over the mountains — it’s indescribably amazing. It brings out the kid in all of us!
Here is everything you need to know about visiting Balloon Fiesta with kids.
When & where is the Balloon Fiesta?
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
October weather creates the “Albuquerque Box,” a wind pattern that creates prime conditions for hot air balloon pilots.
The event is held at Balloon Fiesta Park, along the northern edge of Albuquerque.
Mass Ascension or Morning Glow?
While events are going on at Balloon Fiesta Park pretty much all day during Balloon Fiesta week, there are two main events you’re there to see: mass ascensions or evening glows.
Mass Ascensions are when hundreds of hot air balloons inflate and lift off in the early morning, typically starting at 6 a.m.
Evening Glows occur in the evening, and the hot air balloons inflate and glow, but they don’t fly.
Evening Glows are lovely, but I highly recommend attending a Mass Ascension, especially if it’s your first Balloon Fiesta.
Yes, the early wake-up is rough, but it’s worth it. Promise!
Mass Ascensions occur on the Saturdays and Sundays of Balloon Fiesta, as well as on Wednesday (known as the Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension).
The Wednesday Mass Ascension is my favorite day to go to Balloon Fiesta. It’s slightly less crowded than the weekends.
The other days of Balloon Fiesta have “Balloon Launches.” So many hot air balloons still take off and fly, just not quite as many as during Mass Ascensions.
So what is a Mass Ascension like with kids?
First, you wake up really early. Like 3:30 a.m. early.
You can drive or ride a shuttle to the event.
If you drive, you must arrive at Balloon Fiesta Park around 4:30 a.m. in the morning. And you will still wait in traffic for about 30 minutes before parking.
My husband and I would wake up at 3:30 a.m. on Balloon Fiesta days. We’d load the car with the stroller, coats, snacks, and water bottles the night before.
The morning of, we got dressed, woke the kids up at 4 a.m., took them to the bathroom, then loaded them into the car in their pajamas.
Balloon Fiesta Park was only about 15 minutes from our house, though the drive took longer in fiesta traffic. Don’t panic. You will get a parking spot! Just follow traffic officers whichever way they direct you.
(I usually look at the map the night before to remember where parking lots are, but once you park, just follow the flow of people to the field.)
That said, if you have someone who requires accessible parking, show your placard to be directed to the handicapped parking area right near the entrance gates.
We drive Balloon Fiesta, because I prefer to be in control of the chaos that is adventuring with kids. But I have heard only glowing reviews about the Park & Ride shuttle. (And if you shuttle, you can typically sleep in a little later since you don’t have to navigate traffic as much.)
Once we park, we change our kids into warm clothes. Balloon Fiesta begins long before the sun rises and it’s cold!
We wear sweatpants, warm socks, fleece jackets, mittens, and hats. You’ll shed the layers by the end of the morning, but you’ll want them to start! Bring blankets for the grass too.
Walk from your car to the field. Depending on where you parked, this could be about a half-mile walk. Bring a stroller that works well on grass (we bring our Bob or Thule strollers) or a baby carrier for littles.
You’ll see several long lines waiting to enter the park. Again, don’t panic. They’ll move quickly.
Wait in line to go through the metal detectors and scan your ticket. Check the list of prohibited items before you go.
Tag Your Tots: A safety must at Balloon Fiesta
Once you’re through the gates, stop by the Tag Your Tots station! This is super important when attending Balloon Fiesta with kids to keep them safe!
New Mexico State Police run the Tag Your Tots station. They get your name and phone number, your children’s names and ages, and give each kid a corresponding bracelet.
That way, in the horrible chance that you get separated from your child at the Balloon Fiesta, officers are able to look up your information in the system and contact you to collect your child.
It’s called “tots” but they recommend “tagging” any attendee who may need help if they get separated from their caregivers, like adults with disabilities or older children prone to wandering.
After “tagging” our tots, we grab donuts, breakfast burritos, coffee, and hot chocolate from the vendors.
There are so many delicious food choices at Balloon Fiesta! I personally love the coffee from La Luz Coffee or Piñon Coffee (made with piñon pine nuts native to the Southwest). And definitely Blake’s for breakfast burritos.
Once we’re loaded up with yummy treats, we head to the grass!
Pro tip: The farther you west walk across the field away from the vendors, the more the field clears out.
We lay blankets out on the grass and sit down and enjoy our food! Sometimes, we’ll sit on the bleachers on the far west end of the field, then move to the grass before the drone show.
At around 5:45 a.m., the Drone Light Show begins.
The show is super neat! The show is different every year. Sometimes, it highlights some of the countries the balloons are from. One year, it celebrated the anniversary of Route 66.
After the drone show, pack up the stroller and blankets and get ready to move!
Watch the balloons lift off!
The Mass Ascension begins with the Dawn Patrol Show around 6 a.m.
The Dawn Patrol is the first dozen or so hot air balloons to inflate and take off, helping other pilots get an idea of wind speeds and conditions.
It also includes the performance of the national anthem, with one balloon flying the U.S. flag.
After the Dawn Patrol, balloons all across the field begin to inflate and launch. Find a spot to watch from afar, or run from balloon to balloon and collect trading cards (more info below)!
The magical thing about Balloon Fiesta is you can get as close to the balloons as the crew — and safety — allow.
Don’t forget to watch out for the zebras!
The zebras are the Balloon Fiesta officials, named for their black and white referee-like outfits.
They direct pilots to take off or wait, blowing whistles that you’ll hear signal takeoffs up and down the field. Zebras will tell you to steer clear of a balloon taking off so it has enough space to safely launch.
Watch out for balloon ropes too, so you don’t trip or bonk your head.
One must-do at the Balloon Fiesta with kids
One absolute must-do at Balloon Fiesta with kids is collect hot air balloon pilot trading cards!
Most balloon pilots have trading cards (similar to baseball cards) that have a photo of the balloon and information about it.
My kids are obsessed with running around the field collecting new cards they don’t yet have. It’s a total blast!
I make sure to emphasize that we have to stay together, otherwise they would take off running to their favorite balloons without looking back!
After two years and several visits to Balloon Fiesta, the kids have built up quite the collection of cards!
Know that some of the famous balloons are exceptionally popular and will have large groups of people waiting for cards.
The Star Wars balloons and other special shapes are always in high-demand. The Star Wars balloons also typically have costumed crew, which is extra fun with kids!
There is so much more to Balloon Fiesta than just balloons. There is live music, a chainsaw carving competition, so many great vendors and souvenirs, food, displays, and globitos!
Globitos are small remote-controlled balloons that lift off the ground but don’t fly. The tiny baskets often have adorable stuffed animals inside!
However, after a very early walkup, our kids typically don’t last past 9 a.m. and we head home after most of the balloons have ascended.
What else should I know about going to Balloon Fiesta with kids?
Sometimes, the balloons don’t fly.
Balloon Fiesta is an outdoor event and does rely on Mother Nature’s good graces.
That said, balloons won’t take off if winds are too high, if there is lightning, or rain. Sprinkles are sometimes OK for takeoff, but wind is the big determiner of whether balloons will lift off.
I’ve been to Balloon Fiesta seven times over multiple years, and I’ve only ever had no-fly weather once. But it does happen.
Even if the balloons don’t take off though, they typically still glow and inflate, they just stay on the ground. It’s just as amazing to walk among the inflated giants and admire the shapes and colors!
What to bring to Balloon Fiesta: October mornings are chilly in Albuquerque. Wear sweatpants, long-sleeves, fleece or other jacket, mittens, and winter hat.
Bring a stroller that can handle driving on grass or a baby carrier. Also pack water and snacks!
Leaving the Balloon Fiesta: The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a well-oiled machine, and traffic is closely controlled. You will be directed out of the area just as carefully as you drove into it. Just keep following the traffic cones and you eventually end up at the interstate or nearby major streets.
Enjoy Albuquerque! It’s one of my favorite cities in the country — an amazingly diverse and unique place with so much to do with kids!
Check out this guide to best things to do in Albuquerque with kids or my favorite Albuquerque restaurants for families.
And go enjoy your trip to Balloon Fiesta with kids!
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