News & Updates

Balloon Fiesta Announces Paul Smith Returns as Interim Executive Director

December 18, 2023

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Incorporated, a 501-C-3 Not-For-Profit New Mexico Corporation, announced that Paul Smith will return to serve as its interim Executive Director,…


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Announces 2023 Photo Contest Winners

November 20, 2023

Honoring Cindy Petrehn’s legacy in the ballooning community Albuquerque NM – The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta announced the seventeen winners of the 2023 Cindy Petrehn…


Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Announces 2023 - FINAL NUMBERS

November 1, 2023

Final Numbers: Following are the official numbers for the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta held October 7-15, 2023. Total number of registered hot air balloons: 546 Total number…


Balloon Fiesta Park Events and Activities on October 14, 2023

October 11, 2023

ExxonMobil Day will include Popular Mass Ascension, Annular Solar Eclipse “Ring of Fire” viewing, Music Fiesta, Balloon Glow and More FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tom Garrity, Th…


Balloon Fiesta Prepares for Static Display, may fly Thursday Morning

October 11, 2023

Activities around The Park still on schedule Albuquerque, N.M. - According to the National Weather Service, a cold front approaching the Albuquerque area and Balloon Fiesta Park is forecasted…


Gordon Bennett Poland Team

October 9, 2023

Gordon Bennett Gas Balloon Race officials are aware of an accident involving Poland Team 1. The balloon came into contact with a powerline near Crandall, Texas. The strike occurred at approxi…


BayoTech Announced as Official Hydrogen Sponsor of the 66th Coupe Aeronautique Gordon Bennett at the 2023 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

October 2, 2023

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Oct. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BayoTech, Inc. ("BayoTech"), an innovator in hydrogen production, transportation and storage solutions, is proud to announce its role as the Off…


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…