The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta kicked off Oct. 5, filling the skies with vibrance as hundreds of hot air balloons took flight during the world’s largest ballooning event. The festival ran through Sunday, Oct. 13.
Thousands of spectators gathered at Balloon Fiesta Park for the annual nine-day festival, which featured daily mass ascensions, “special shape” balloons and nighttime events. This year’s theme, “Embrace the Sky,” celebrated the joy of flight and community.
Each morning during the Fiesta, the iconic sound of the balloonists’ burners filled the air as dawn broke. Some of the first balloons launched at 6 a.m., creating a panorama against the Sandia Mountains. Local families and tourists snapped photos, capturing the event's magic, which draws participants from around the globe.
New Mexico natives were excited to attend the annual Fiesta — like Miranda Sisneros, who has been going to it for over a decade.
“Every year, it’s a different experience. I’m a grandma now, and taking my grandbabies to the Fiesta for the first time is special to me,” Sisneros said. “Seeing the balloons go up is something New Mexicans shouldn’t miss.”
Among the special shape balloon creations this year was a massive Darth Vader balloon — part of a competition that included a giant dragon and a smiling pumpkin. Amanda Lawrey, who is a mom of two, said the shapes are something her kids look forward to every year. As an Albuquerque native, she said she sometimes views the traffic as a burden but ultimately finds the event impactful.
“My 5-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter are obsessed,” Lawrey said. “Henry, my son, is the reason we’re here today. He loves the Spider Pig balloon, and his excitement for the balloons reminds me that it’s supposed to be fun.”
In addition to the morning ascensions, the Fiesta offered a packed schedule of activities, including balloon rides, live music and food vendors featuring local cuisine. Evening events, such as the “Glowdeo” — in which balloons are grounded but illuminated against the night sky — were also a crowd favorite.
The Fiesta, which began in 1972 with just 13 balloons, has grown into a beloved tradition that attracts hundreds of thousands of guests each year, according to its website.
Organizers emphasized the importance of safety and environmental stewardship to ensure the event continues to be a cherished highlight of Albuquerque's cultural landscape, according to the Balloon Fiesta Media Booklet.
Although many Fiesta-goers are from New Mexico, people travel from all over the country and world to see the balloons, like Steve Richardson from Madison, Wisconsin, whose daughter goes to he University of New Mexico.
“We only found out about the festival because our daughter is a freshman at UNM and we said we’d see her for fall break,” Richardson said. “Our family is from up north. We would never have known about this. It’s almost unbelievable. I have never seen anything like this before.”
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The festival ran through Sunday, Oct. 13.
“The balloons remind me to take a breath and enjoy the moment,” Sisneros said. “It’s truly breathtaking every time. I can never get tired of that colorful sky.”
Izabella Kubiak-Reseigh is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @kubiakizabella
