It's shortly after dawn. People walk amidst hundreds of colorful hot air balloons as they fill with heated air, expanding slowly like behemoths stretching after a long sleep. The balloons cover the huge field with color and form. And then, in waves, they slowly, majestically, silently lift off the ground, floating up into the sky. There they pause, hanging like ornaments decorating the blue sky.

At night the balloons glow from interior light, tethered it place, people walk among translucent colors.

Daily Schedule

The event starts on the weekend. And it’s filled with events you’ll want to experience - those ascensions and glows.

Mondays and Tuesdays are pretty quiet. You can stop by and see some fun flying competitions in the morning.

Wednesday and Thursday the mass ascensions return. Then Thursday through Saturday are both ascensions and glows. The finale is Sunday’s farewell ascension.

Full Throttle Art

In addition to balloon events, there’s the ECHO Chainsaw Carving Championship. ECHO calls it full-throttle art, and you’ll be amazed and impressed with the artistry possible from chainsaws. The championships take place over the first weekend, and chainsaw contests happen over the second weekend.

America's Challenge Gas Balloon Competition

While not as showy as the other events, America's Challenge is a long distance competition to see who can go the furthest. The real challenge of the competition is the need to carry everything necessary for several days aloft in the tiny basket. Landfall means the competition is over.

Tips

Go early for the ascensions. If you try to get a bit more sleep you’ll pay for it by sitting in traffic. Go early, watch the dawn patrol, and stroll the field while the balloons are inflated. Grab a breakfast burrito.

Check the weather before you go. These are hot air balloons and are fragile. If the wind kicks up, they stay grounded. Turn on the television and visit the Balloon Fiesta website for updates. Yes, it does mean you have to get up early.

Take a jacket. Our days are beautifully warm and sunny, but early mornings and evenings are cool. It’s a desert.

Smokers – never, ever flick your butts anywhere. It’s a desert. You won’t want to cause a fire.

Schedule more than one day for the fiesta. Events are regularly canceled due to weather conditions.

Enjoy our city. We have great shopping, museums, community theater, and great restaurants.

Read more at Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta