News & Updates

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Announces 2023 Special Shapes

September 7, 2023

51st Event Includes 12 New Special Shape Hot Air Balloons Albuquerque, NM - The 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will host a variety of special shape balloons as a part of the wor…


2023 Balloon Fiesta Official SerigraphPosterCreated byInternationally Recognized American Painter with Unique Tie to Event

September 7, 2023

Poster brings event to life, capturing Albuquerque's beauty Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has released the fan-favorite collectible item, the Official Ba…


2023 Balloon Fiesta Official Serigraph Poster Created by Internationally Recognized American Painter with Unique Tie to Event

August 16, 2023

Poster brings event to life, capturing Albuquerque's beauty Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has released the fan-favorite collectible item, the Official…


Country Star Lee Brice to Headline 2023 Music Fiesta

August 3, 2023

Other performances by Runaway June and Brandon Saiz Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil, is pleased to announce its lineup for the 2023…


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Celebrates 51st Event

August 3, 2023

Albuquerque, NM - The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil will launch from Balloon Fiesta Park, October 7-15, 2023. The 51st event, will feature more than 550 hot a…


2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Prime Location to view Annular Solar Eclipse

July 25, 2023

Eclipse “Ring of Fire” visible during tail end of Mass Ascension FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group 505.898.8689, media@balloonfiesta.com Albuquerque,…


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Selected to Host 2023 Gordon Bennett

June 21, 2023

The 66th international gas balloon race will take flight during Balloon Fiesta’s nine-day event Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has been selected by…


2023 Balloon Fiesta Tickets to Go on Sale April 7

June 21, 2023

Albuquerque, NM – Tickets for the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil will be available for purchase online, Friday, April 7, 9 a.m. MDT. Guests planning…


New, Unique Camping Experience Makes its way to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®

June 21, 2023

Camp 505 to includes take-home Balloon Fiesta camp kit for guests FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Albuquerque, NM- The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is announcing Camp 505 as a new lodging…


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® Announces Executive Director Retirement, Staff Promotions - New Board of Directors Officers and Appoints New Board Members

February 8, 2023

Albuquerque, NM- The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®, a private nonprofit corporation, has announced new leadership of its volunteer board of directors for 2023. Judith Nakamura…


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Presented by ExxonMobil Generates $203.19 Million into Albuquerque Economy

February 8, 2023

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO- New Mexico’s largest visitor event, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, today announced results of a third-party economic impact study. The 2022 Al…


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Announces 2022 Final Event Numbers

November 8, 2022

Final Numbers: Following are the official numbers for the 50thAlbuquerque International Balloon Fiesta held October 1-9, 2022. Total number of registered hot air balloons: 648 Total number o…


Project Dry Out

October 8, 2022

Seven Facilities Providing Space for 50 Special Shape Balloons to Dry Out ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Pilots and crew of 50 Special Shape Balloons participating in the 2022 Albuquerque Internatio…


No Start for 25th America's Challenge

October 5, 2022

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 12:30 MDT (1830 UTC) Days of persistent rain, instability, and shifting weather patterns mean the 2022 America’s Challenge distance race for gas balloons will…


America's Challenge Gas Race Postponed

October 1, 2022

10/01/2022 2:30 PM MDT / 2030 UTC The launch of the 25th America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race, originally scheduled for the evenint of October 1, is being postponed due to weather concerns. T…


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a No Drone Zone

September 19, 2022

Albuquerque, NM – The 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (Balloon Fiesta) will welcome guests from around the world, October 1-9, 2022. For the safety of balloon pilots, guest…


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Announces 2022 Special Shapes

September 19, 2022

Albuquerque, NM - The 50th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will host international special shape balloon teams as a part of the world’s premier balloon event, October 1-9. This…


Balloon Fiesta to Kick Off 50th Event with Reenactment Flight

September 3, 2022

Event to honor original 13 pilots and balloons Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (Balloon Fiesta) first took shape with an inaugural launch of 13 balloons, 5…


Guest Transporters, Sky Boxes Among New Attractions at 50th Balloon Fiesta

August 30, 2022

New and returning special activities announced for guests of all ages Albuquerque, NM – More than 600 hot air balloons will take to Albuquerque’s blue skies October 1-9, in celebra…


World's Largest Ballooning Event Celebrates 50 Years of High-Flying Fun

August 5, 2022

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Recaps its Lively Half Century Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil is celebrating its 50th even…


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® Announces New Volunteer Coordinator

April 21, 2022

Samantha Greenwald Brings Chase Crew Experience to New Role Albuquerque, NM - The leadership team of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil has announced that Sama…


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Celebrates 50th Event

March 30, 2022

Celebration to Launch October 1-9, 2022 Albuquerque, NM - The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil will launch from Balloon Fiesta Park, October 1-9, 2022. The 50th…


Music Fiesta™ Returns to Balloon Fiesta, Headliner Announced

March 28, 2022

Music Fiesta™ Returns to Balloon Fiesta, Headliner Announced Tickets go on Sale April 1 Albuquerque – After a two-year hiatus, Music Fiesta™ will return to the Albuquerque In…


Balloon Fiesta Welcomes ExxonMobil As its New Presenting Sponsor

January 12, 2022

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® will be powered by ExxonMobil for next three years Albuquerque, NM – The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta board, directors and staff…


Balloon Fiesta Opening Ceremonies to Kickoff 49th Event with a Salute to Medical Personnel, First Responders and All Essential Workers

October 2, 2021

WHAT: The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s opening ceremony will include several elements which will conclude with an aerial salute to our first responders and healthcare worke…