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 event, will feature more than 600 hot air balloons, of which at least 100 are anticipated to be special shape. The organization looks forward to welcoming pilots, their crew and guests from all over the world to help celebrate the international event.

Balloon Fiesta staff, board of directors and volunteers are in the midst of planning details for the nine-day event, however some general dates and events that guests can begin to plan for include:

Reenactment Balloon Flight: The 50th Balloon Fiesta celebration will include a reenactment flight of the original 13 balloons, at Coronado Mall on Friday, September 30, 2022. The original flight occurred on April 8, 1972. The reenactment will launch a day before this year’s first mass ascension and coincide with Albuquerque Aloft.

ABQ Aloft: For locals and early visitors, Balloon Fiesta will kick off from local schools with Albuquerque Aloft on September 30, 2022. During Albuquerque Aloft, students, teachers and parents gather on their school grounds to meet pilots and crew and experience the excitement of watching and learning how balloons fly.

Mass Ascensions: More than 500 hot air balloons launch to the skies in multiple waves with hopes of catching the infamous Albuquerque Box. The Balloon Fiesta’s five signature morning mass ascensions launch both weekends (October 1-2, 8-9) and mid-week (October 5).

Balloon Glows: Balloon Fiesta Park lights up on five special nights for the signature Balloon Glows (October 1-2, 6-8). Imagine walking among 200-300 hot air balloons in static display as they flicker under the Albuquerque skies. One of the most popular places for selfies are in the midst of an "all burn.”

Special Shape Balloons: The largest collection of hot air balloons will fill the skies during the nine days of Balloon Fiesta. More than a hundred special shape balloons are anticipated for the 50^th event. A flying frog, cow and pigs will join a host of other shapes as they resemble items of a child’s toybox floating overhead.

Dawn Patrol & Show: Each morning includes a colorful display of hot air balloons launching to the skies in pre-dawn hours. Pilots will fly until it’s light enough to see landing sites. In addition to providing a visual treat, they provide a valuable service to other balloonists by giving them an idea of wind speeds and directions at different altitudes. New to this year, a music program will be added that will be synchronized to the burner blasts.

25^th America’s Challenge: The America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race is one of the world’s premier distance races for gas balloons. The race is set to launch from Balloon Fiesta Park on October 1, 2022.

Flight of the Nations: In observance of all the visiting international pilots, this mid-week mass ascension will take place on October 5, 2022. Wednesday’s opening ceremony will begin with international pilots flying their countries’ flags from their balloons.

Fiesta de Los Globitos: Balloon Fiesta’s second annual remote-control balloon rally will feature dozens of tethered balloons, which are scale model balloons, about 30 feet tall. The mini mass ascensions will take place at Balloon Fiesta Park, from 7:30-11 a.m. on October 2, 5, and 7.

Entertainment: Music Fiesta will be back for the 50th event. Additional details on Music Fiesta and other event entertainment, to be released later this year. More at Balloon Fiesta Park:

Guests will also be able to visit more than 40 food concessionaires and 40 different merchandise vendors, as well as enjoy returning attractions like the Artisans at Balloon Fiesta and Balloon Discovery Center. Guest options including Chasers’ Club, Gondola Club, Glamping and the Concierge Program will be available this year.

About the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, powered by ExxonMobil is a festival of hot air balloons that takes place in October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. The 2019 event generated $186.82 Million into the Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico economies. For details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs visit our website www.balloonfiesta.com and follow us on Twitter @BalloonFiesta and Facebook.

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