Drawing over 900,000 visitors and 600 pilots from seven countries over a nine day period, this is the largest and longest running balloon festival in the country. It is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle to watch over 500 hot air and gas-filled balloons shaped like animals, characters and cultural symbols ascend over Sandia Mountains and New Mexico deserts.
The ideal October climate, known as 'Albuquerque Box' offers perfect weather conditions to take off and land balloons, often from the same location. In October 2022, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will be celebrating its 50th anniversary.