Balloon Fiesta Need To Know

93.3 The Q’s

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BALLOON FIESTA 2026

Albuquerque’s skies are about to get a whole lot more colorful. The 54th ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta runs October 3–11, 2026, with more than 500 balloons, nine days of events and this year’s Route 66-inspired theme, “The Scenic Route.”

From Mass Ascensions and Special Shapes to balloon glows, drone shows, fireworks and Music Fiesta, here’s your 93.3 The Q cheat sheet for doing Fiesta right.

The Fast Facts

• Dates: Saturday, October 3 through Sunday, October 11, 2026.

• Location: Balloon Fiesta Park, 5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy NE, Albuquerque (GPS planning address).

• General admission: $20 base price per person, per session; current official online checkout is $22.24 including fee. Children 12 and under are free.

• New Mexico Day: Monday, October 5. New Mexico residents receive free general admission with a photo ID or utility bill showing a New Mexico address. Parking still costs extra.

• Parking: General parking is $20 per vehicle, per session. The official FAQ currently says parking is cash only.

• Weather: Balloon Fiesta is weather dependent. Balloon inflation and flight decisions can change based on conditions, so check official Fiesta updates before heading out.

93.3 The Q’s “Know Before You Go”!

• Weekend morning? Aim to be at the park by 4:00–4:30 a.m. Gates open at 4:30 a.m. Dawn Patrol begins around 6:00 a.m. and major launches generally begin around 7:00 a.m.

• Evening event? Fiesta recommends arriving by about 4:00 p.m.; evening gates open at 3:00 p.m.

• Layer up. Albuquerque mornings can feel cold before sunrise and warm up fast once the sun hits.

• Wear comfortable shoes. You’re walking on a huge field, and you’ll probably walk more than you think.

• Bring a lawn chair or blanket if you want one. Outside food and drinks are allowed, but no glass or alcohol.

• Do not bring pets (trained service animals are permitted), drones, alcohol, glass, fireworks or prohibited weapons/items.

• Screenshot or save your tickets before you arrive. Cell service can get crowded when tens of thousands of people hit the park.

• Remember where you parked — lots are color-coded and gates are numbered.

Park & Ride: Probably the Easiest Play

Official Park & Ride includes round-trip transportation plus admission and uses an expedited route around heavy Fiesta traffic. There is no Park & Ride service Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

• Cottonwood Mall — 10000 Coors Bypass NW

• Coronado Center — 6600 Menaul Blvd NE

• Hoffmantown Church — 8888 Harper Road NE

• Intel in Rio Rancho — 1600 Rio Rancho Dr SE (weekends only)

• Morning inbound buses: 4:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.; inbound service ends at 7:00 a.m.

• Evening inbound buses: 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.; inbound service ends at 6:00 p.m.

The Big Events to Circle

• Mass Ascension — Opening Saturday Oct. 3, Sunday Oct. 4 and Saturday Oct. 10; Farewell Mass Ascension Sunday Oct. 11.

• Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension — Wednesday Oct. 7.

• Special Shape Rodeo™ — Thursday Oct. 8 and Friday Oct. 9.

• Special Shape Glowdeo™ — Thursday Oct. 8 and Friday Oct. 9 evenings.

• Balloon glows + fireworks — Opening weekend and Thursday/Friday nights, with Night Magic™ Glow on Saturday Oct. 10.

• Music Fiesta™ — Saturday Oct. 10 featuring Nathaniel Krantz, Dasha and Russell Dickerson. Separate Music Fiesta ticket required in addition to Balloon Fiesta general admission.

Official 2026 Daily Schedule

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3 — EXXONMOBIL DAY

• 5:45 am — Drone Light Show

• 6:00 am — Dawn Patrol Show

• 6:30 am — Krispy Kreme Morning Glow

• 6:55 am — Opening Ceremonies

• 7:00 am — Mass Ascension

• 8:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

• 10:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Auction

• 3:00 pm — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

• 5:00 pm — Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

• 6:30 pm — Twilight Twinkle Glow™

• 7:30 pm — Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

• 7:45 pm — Drone Light Show

• 8:00 pm — After Glow™ Fireworks Show

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4

• 5:45 am — Drone Light Show

• 6:00 am — Dawn Patrol Show

• 6:30 am — Krispy Kreme Morning Glow

• 7:00 am — Mass Ascension

• 7:30 am — Fiesta de los Globitos (RC Balloon Exhibition)

• 8:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

• 11:00 am — Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading

• 3:00 pm — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

• 5:00 pm — Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

• 6:30 pm — Balloon Glow™

• 7:30 pm — Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

• 7:45 pm — Drone Light Show

• 8:00 pm — After Glow™ Fireworks Show

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 — NEW MEXICO DAY

• 5:45 am — Drone Light Show

• 6:00 am — Dawn Patrol

• 7:00 am — Balloon Launch

• 8:00 am — Fly In Competition

• 8:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 — COCA-COLA DAY

• 5:45 am — Drone Light Show

• 6:00 am — Dawn Patrol

• 7:00 am — Balloon Launch

• 8:00 am — Fly In Competition

• 8:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7

• 5:45 am — Drone Light Show

• 6:00 am — Dawn Patrol Show

• 6:30 am — Krispy Kreme Morning Glow

• 7:00 am — Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension

• 7:30 am — Fiesta de los Globitos (RC Balloon Exhibition)

• 8:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8

Carlos D and Leah Black live broadcast!

• 5:45 am — Drone Light Show

• 6:00 am — Dawn Patrol

• 7:00 am — Special Shape Rodeo™

• 7:00 am — Balloon Launch

• 8:00 am — Fly In Competition

• 8:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

• 10:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Auction

• 3:00 pm — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

• 5:00 pm — Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

• 6:30 pm — Special Shape Glowdeo™

• 7:30 pm — Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

• 7:45 pm — Drone Light Show

• 8:00 pm — After Glow™ Fireworks Show

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 — KIDS’ DAY

Carlos D and Leah Black live broadcast!

• 4:30 am — Kids’ Day Goodie Bag Distribution Begins (south of Main Street Stage)

• 5:45 am — Drone Light Show

• 6:00 am — Dawn Patrol

• 7:00 am — Special Shape Rodeo™

• 7:00 am — Balloon Launch

• 7:30 am — Fiesta de los Globitos (RC Balloon Exhibition)

• 8:00 am — Fly In Competition

• 8:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

• 10:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Auction

• 3:00 pm — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

• 5:00 pm — Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

• 6:30 pm — Special Shape Glowdeo™

• 7:30 pm — Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

• 7:45 pm — Drone Light Show

• 8:00 pm — After Glow™ Fireworks Show

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10 — EXXONMOBIL DAY

Carlos D and Leah Black live broadcast!

• 5:45 am — Drone Light Show

• 6:00 am — Dawn Patrol Show

• 6:30 am — Krispy Kreme Morning Glow

• 7:00 am — Mass Ascension

• 8:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

• 10:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Auction

• 11:00 am — Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading

• 3:00 pm — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

• 4:00 pm — Music Fiesta™: Nathaniel Krantz*

• 5:00 pm — Team Fastrax™ Skydiving

• 5:30 pm — Music Fiesta™: Dasha*

• 6:30 pm — Night Magic™ Glow

• 6:30 pm — Fiesta de los Globitos (RC Balloon Exhibition)

• 7:30 pm — Music Fiesta™: Russell Dickerson*

• 9:00 pm — Drone Light Show

• 9:15 pm — After Glow™ Fireworks Show

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11

Carlos D and Leah Black live broadcast!

• 5:45 am — Drone Light Show

• 6:00 am — Dawn Patrol Show

• 6:30 am — Krispy Kreme Morning Glow

• 7:00 am — Farewell Mass Ascension

• 8:00 am — Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

*Music Fiesta™ requires a separate ticket. A Balloon Fiesta general admission ticket is also required and does not include concert-area access.

Official Links for Buttons / Source Updates

Official Balloon Fiesta home: https://www.balloonfiesta.com/

Tickets: https://www.balloonfiesta.com/Purchase-Tickets/

Park & Ride: https://www.balloonfiesta.com/plan-your-visit/getting-to-fiesta/park-ride/

Maps & Directions: https://www.balloonfiesta.com/plan-your-visit/getting-to-fiesta/maps-directions/

Know Before You Go / Allowed Items: https://www.balloonfiesta.com/plan-your-visit/know-before-you-go/

FAQ: https://www.balloonfiesta.com/plan-your-visit/faqs/

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