8:00pm Fireworks Show. There are vendors selling hot drinks and warm food and there are a few tents (little shops, kiosks, information tents) along main street that you go inside if its windy. They dont run every day but they do run on that weekend so that is an option. Thinking either Sunday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon or Wednesday afternoon to Saturday (catch Saturdays mass ascension and then head out). Thank you, Jessica! If you cant get there early, we recommend considering the Park & Ride option, especially during morning weekend sessions as these are the busiest days of the Balloon Fiesta. We planned well in advance of our trip down to the Balloon Fiesta Park by looking for the preferred session we wanted to see, Mass Ascension, checking on the weather, calm with winds at under 5 mph and no rain, looking for the easiest access to handicap parking, Alameda entrance passing right past the Museum, and finally giving ourselves plenty of time to get down to the park, 4:00am should do it I think you would be OK trying to nap in the car (unless security asks you not to do so), but it might not be the best place to try to sleep. They must be purchased in advance either online here or in person at the Balloon Fiesta Gift Shop (4401 Alameda Blvd NE). ~ Jessica. Here are my questions: 8:00am Chainsaw carving (throughout morning), 6:00am Dawn Patrol Stay at a hotel that offers its own shuttle to the event (youll want to book the shuttle in advance). You can also buy some of the officialmerchandise online at any time. Another idea is to head to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center which is a museum and cultural center and also has a restaurant that we recommend where you could have lunch. So often the festival staff recommend Park & Ride if possible. If you are attending with children, depending on their ages, they may get in free as long as accompanied by adults with tickets. Any suggestions or hints? There are smaller mass balloon launches on the other days of the week and one that just includes Special Shapes balloons (normally between 70 to 100 special shaped balloons launch). Copyright 2013 - 2022, Guide to Attending the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico, Information on Attending the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. I hereby bequeath unto this event the following title International Buffoon Fiasco! It is really hard to predict where the balloons will go as they will go in the direction of the wind which obviously changes. We have not personally ridden with Rainbow Ryders but they are a long-standing company with a great reputation and safety record which is why they have been chosen as the official balloon operator of the Balloon Fiesta. Also, I read that Uber had a designated route in previous years, so they didnt have to be stuck in the same traffic. You had me at balloon festival!! Well, it appears we will be staying in a hotel in Reo Rancho. In the UK, the Bristol Balloon Fiesta is the largest in Europe and I think second only to Albuquerque. Hi Linda, I think that since you are pretty close to the park, you should be able to leave by 4:00 or even a bit later and still comfortably be inside the park between 4:45 and 5:00. It is therefore important to. Wow what a comprehensive post! You may not get to see hundreds of balloons in the sky, but you could save hundreds of dollars and you still get the same city and mountain views without the traffic! If you are on the field, youll probably get better views from wandering around. The weekdays are definitely usually less crowded, so are nice days for attending with kids. I have a fear of heights but personally feel quite safe in hot air balloons (they move so smoothly in the air) but always have a little dread for the landings , But there is definitely always risk and being a spectator is definitely the safest way to enjoy the Balloon Fiesta and the views are wonderful from the field! They decided not to offer it in 2018 (announcing it only 1 month before the event) and I have not heard anything specific yet for 2019. Those tent camping only can get spots for $35. Never got too cold or too hot. The upgraded experiences do have seating areas as well as dedicated toilets and food areas. One of the special things about the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is that you get so close to the hot air balloons and can chat with the crews and see them set up and launch. We are actually returning to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta this year so very excited to be there again! For the 2022 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, RV bookings will go on sale starting on January 5, 2022. Id also recommend having a flashlight or torch with you and wearing a reflective vest for safety as it will likely be dark when setting out (morning session) or coming home (night session) and there will be increased traffic due to the fiesta. But youll also get great views of the balloons launching and going into the air from the ground. Get the latest health news, diet & fitness information, medical research, health care trends and health issues that affect you and your family on ABCNews.com I am so glad to hear that you had such a wonderful experience at the Balloon Fiesta! Although many pilots did keep their balloons inflated for visitors to see on the ground. What Happens if the Albuquerque Balloon Festival is Canceled Due to COVID-19? Id like to go that day so we can say we were there. 5:00pm Skydiving performance They are just stunning and anyone who didnt have plans to see a balloon festival will surely want to now. My friend is moving early next month to Santa Fe to begin a job at National Labs in Los Alamos so were both virgins to balloon fest, I wont fly in til afternoon if the 4th so I think I will start scouring for a clean quiet hotel room for the three of us so we can be at the park early without sleep deprivation Thank you for your comment Pat. Yes, the main tip for RV / camping is to just know what kind of RV spot you want and book it as soon as you know your dates. So this is not a mass ascension but there is still a lot of hot air balloons launched over the course of about 1 hour. Love your website and info to help me with my first Hot Air Balloon Festival in Albuquerque. Since that is fairly close to your hotel, it might be a good way to avoid driving into the Balloon Fiesta traffic. From best to worst: S, A, B, C, D, Each Talent Orb only improves either health or attack power against only one trait. There was excellent weather this morning and fingers crossed it continues for the rest of the week. Thanks again! For example, if you upgrade, For now the maximum level for Base Upgrades is level 20 (+10 via. Do we need to buy new tickets? You can also contact the Balloon Fiesta team directly by calling them at +1 (505) 821-1000 or toll-free at 1-888-422-7277 or email them with general questions at balloons@balloonfiesta.com. 8:00am Competition Flying events take place on field throughout morning In terms of the balloon flight doing it before the Balloon Fiesta starts would be a lot like doing it any other time of the year. Most of the events are very weather dependent and the events can be cancelled for more than a day in a row depending on wind, storms, etc. Are there upgraded or VIP Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta experiences available? I would definitely recommend leaving your Sunday morning free, just in case Saturdays ride is canceled, there looks like there is good availability for Sunday (as of now) so you could hopefully reschedule if needed. Should we even attempt to park on site in the afternoon or should we look for alternative public transportation? Is there a park and ride near Rio Rancho? Be sure to book well in advance to get the dates you want. The weekend events are always busier than the weekday events so it will be busy, especially if the weather is good. That could be an easy option for you. 2. Also, is there one weekend thats better than the other? Theyre only $10, but Im confused as to what all that entails. For a first-time experience, it is so nice to be able to spend the time walking the field and seeing the hot air balloons up close. Both Uber and Lyft are available in Albuquerque. We met up with local blogger Leslie of. What is the museums policy on cancelations due to weather, I cant seem to find it. However, as the event begins and the balloons take off, you should have a better idea of which direction they are going at that point and can move if needed. The check in times will be: 4:00 am & 5:30 am for the morning sessions and 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm for the evening sessions. Can we find tickets sold by third parties? If you are looking for a dedicated place to sit and also want access to drinks, snacks, and toilets, it can be a good option. The main one is this 5 day tour which includes 3 days in Albuquerque during the Balloon Fiesta and a day in Santa Fe. I think everyone should try to see a balloon festival at least one, even if it is not this one! The park opens to visitors for the morning sessions at 4:30AM, so you dont want to arrive before then. To avoid crowds, come on a weekday as they are much less crowded than weekends, and one day usually provides special activities for children and families. It is normally chilly in the morning, but it is not normally super cold. Once you know when you are coming for Balloon Fiesta, I would then head to the Visit Albuquerque, Some visitors plan a trip for just a couple of days, dont do this. But please check latest schedule on the fiesta website to check for any changes. You can always bring a blanket or cushion instead of a full chair if you want that option but dont want to carry camp chairs. The weekends always go first. But they have changed the Park & Ride shuttle for this year where all tickets are pre-booked so they know how many riders there will be and there are set departure times. Thank you!!! So the general admission tickets cover full access to any balloon event happening for that session, whether it is the morning mass ascension, the special shapes rodeo, evening glow, etc. You are also shooting lots of angles so youd be needing to adjust it a lot. Being a subscriber also makes you eligible to enter our monthly travel and photography giveaways! To put the cherry on the proverbial cake I would like to get her up in a balloon. Thank you Thank you for putting it all together, I found it it to be so helpful!! Once it gets dark, the burners are lit to make the balloons light up after sunset. There are loads of AAA hotels in Albuquerque. Im wondering how the view is from the Chasers area. They will do synchronized burns called all burns where all the balloons will light up at once. Thanks for replying back. No, you cant really see the Night Glow events and fireworks from outside of the Balloon Fiesta Park. You can sort these lists by distance from the Balloon Fiesta Park and by budget. You can check the schedule for the specific dates. But would love to watch if you know of a breathtaking spot. If it were you, at what time would you leave the hotel? It was truly a trip of a lifetime for us. As you are normally moving around along with the balloons, lugging around a tripod doesnt really make sense for most people. After completing Into the Future Chapter 3, some True Form Cats can become even more powerful by unlocking upgrades called Talents. The only time wed probably recommend people consider bringing a tripod is for the evening sessions during the Night Glow where you can get some nice shots. I picked a hotel near my shuttle pickup and Old Town is just minutes away. No matter how you are getting to the park, with the exception of walking, be sure to arrive early! You may want to head off and walk along the Paseo del Bosque Trail which runs along the river and is a paved multi-use trail. Also for handicap parking do you need to let them know ahead of time? Every year traffic is bad, but last year the Park & Ride shuttles also got really stuck at in traffic as well and were not able to accommodate all the people who wanted to use them. Weekends are much busier than weekdays so plan accordingly. Those tent camping only can get spots for $35. The weekdays are less crowded than the weekends, although still busy, so can be nice to visit without the huge weekends crowds. So if you really want an RV spot or to stay in a particular hotel, you should book sooner rather than later. Are you required to leave the park and the parking lot after the morning session is over? *Children can pick up free goodie bags and there are special childrens events this day. Or are you going with another company launching outside of the field? The mass ascensions (normally both weekend mornings and Wednesdays) are all generally about the same size. They often have special meals and other events here during the Balloon events. My wife has had this on her bucket list for some time. However, better to be safe than sorry and it is more enjoyable to be in the Park walking around and eating than sitting in traffic! The pro however is that it much less expensive to go on a flight (usually 50% less or more) outside of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. For example, if you upgrade Cat to Level 2, 3, etc., each time the level is increased, it gains more attack power and health. But you dont need to leave at 3am or anything I dont think the parking area opens to visitors until 4am so that is the earliest youd want to be there. Me, my husband, and 10 and 6 year old girls will be coming to the Balloon Fiesta this year for the first time. If they go up your first day, then you can go again or enjoy other things in the city and area. This is a dazzling event of colorful beauty and one of my favorite festivals in the world. I think you may be referring to the Remote Control Balloons Exhibition which is tentatively scheduled for Sunday morning (October 3rd), Wednesday morning, and Friday morning. This is always an issue if you have a limited amount of time. Jessica. If you live in the ABQ area, you may be able to find someone locally who has extra tickets. 2 1/2 miles from the Hot Air Balloon Museum. Thanks for sharing! We took our lawn chairs to the evening events. I am so happy to hear that you had a great time at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta this past week! If you dont like the idea of standing in line to use a port-a-potty, consider an upgraded experience by getting a ticket to the Chasers Club or Gondola Club which have dedicated toilets. Just be careful as the roads will be very busy! 6:00pm Special Shapes Night Glow Now, Music Fiesta guests can stay for that evenings balloon glow and fireworks without purchasing an extra ticket. See our accommodation recommendations later in the article for some suggestions of lodging options within walking distance or a short driving distance from each of the locations. We have Gondola Club tickets for a morning session and an evening session this year. ~ Jessica, How fun would that be to see hundreds of balloons all rise up together in the sky! We will be staying with a friend in Santa Fe, First question. Albuquerque is not an expensive place by any means, but this is the most popular time to visit the city and things do fill up and rates are at their peak during this time of the year. The pilots willdo synchronized burns and such. Also if you have attended the Balloon Fiesta, wed love to hear about your own experiences! Events may include fly-in tasks where they must drop something on a specific target and events where they must toss or grab rings from various poles. The rate was clearly higher than the norm, but completely worth *not* waiting in line for a departing shuttle-bus. Yes, the Opening Weekend is often the busiest days at the Balloon Fiesta. I am very excited to be going this year 2019. If you are planning to bring a lot of stuff with you, note that many people spend a lot of their time walking around the launch field to see the different balloons and then walking along Main Street where all the vendors are located. If you decide to drive yourself, parking is $20 per vehicle, be sure to bring cash. Your email address will not be published. There is normally a music concert during the fiesta which is ticketed separately (buy a ticket in advance online if you want to attend) and sometimes there are smaller entertainment happening in the afternoon as well that are free. We got there early, set up chairs and just enjoyed being outside waiting for fireworks & balloon glow. Be nice to people setting up, and u can get great shots into balloons 4) Dress warmly, in layers. Your email address will not be published. I am not sure the max number that can fly on a Balloon Launch, but Id expect about a third or one half of the number maybe of a mass ascension. So yes, most days of the event have both morning and evening activities and are divided into a Morning Session and Evening Session. A great place to pop into and learn a bit more about balloons and there are also family-friendly exhibits. But they will not require you to leave, but the majority of people do leave after the morning session and come back later for the evening sessions. Also would like to go into the park for a day and be among all the excitement. Note that you need to book Park & Ride shuttles in advance if you plan to use the shuttles. An employee at the Museum advised that we do both events in 1 day since its early morning and late afternoon, Sunday. Early is the key; we left where we were staying between 4:00am and 4:30am each morning and did not have any issues. There is still a bit of movement but it makes for a nice effect. Personally, I love to walk among the balloons and see them from different angles so Id definitely recommend doing that on the day you are not doing the balloon flight one morning if you can the balloons are best seen in the morning events. Based on your advice, we booked for Wed which a mass ascension day, is slightly cheaper than the other days, and still gives us a few days in case there is a weather related cancellation. 5) If u are toward back of middle field, more balloons will float by u. Glad it was helpful, and enjoy your time at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Id ask your driver when the last buses will be leaving the event for the morning, but generally everyone leaves once all the balloons have left the field. Hi Jessica, wonderful blog! Weve never personally stayed at the RV sites, but most I believe are dirt surfaces although I think some near the museum were asphalt when we walked through last year. If you have more time than money, you might consider volunteering at the Balloon Fiesta. Do you know if we can bring a blanket and sit out somewhere on the field for the Mass Ascension and Balloon Glow? My camera went bad, and I bought a new Nikon D750 camera w/ battery the day before the Fiesta yikes! Also what time if walking would we want to arrive at the park so as not to miss anything, for the morning session. In deciding whether or not to bring them, I think it just depends on how heavy they are (do you want to carry it around for a few hours?) 7:00am Balloon Launch Yes, the balloons do launch every day, depending on weather conditions of course. The visitor parking lots open at 4:30am so the timing should be fine. It has about 200 or so balloons I think each year. It includes a personal guide and golf cart transportation during the event. The volunteering guidelines change a little each year so do check before registering. Hi Julie, You did not read that on our website, so it must have been on another website. Thanks, weve never actually gone up in the balloons yet, but it sounds like you had a lot of fun. Appreciate it! So Id try to see a regular weekday launch maybe on Monday (if canceled you can head back Tuesday) and then go on Wednesday morning for the mass ascension. Before we share our experiences, we wanted to provide all the information youll need to attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta yourself! Normally though if you are paying for a ride (which we were not), the rides last at least 1 hour, sometimes 2 hours, depending on the company. Look up, lay on ground and shoot pics, or shoot from a tethered balloon thats on the property. If this sounds appealing, read the earlier section on volunteering. If you dont want to make your own arrangements or are traveling by yourself, this can be a good option. 8:00am Chainsaw carving begin (throughout morning), 6:00am Dawn Patrol But this may differ by parking area. Im so glad & thankful for your post. I did want to ask a few more questions. Balloons will only go up when weather conditions are safe to do so, and those carrying customers are going to obviously need to be cautious. Ill let the pictures fill in the rest as there are really no words that can aptly describe it. Love this article! In 2022, these prices were $22 for adults, $20 for Seniors, and $10 for children. If you volunteer and are coming from out of town, you may also be eligible for discounted hotel rates. If you are all very tired after traveling, especially the kids, you may not enjoy the event as much. The Balloon Fiesta Park is located in northern Albuquerque. The Park & Ride tickets are sold per session (not per day) and also include your event admission for that session. In big red letters, it does say that no shuttles run on mon, tues, wed. If you want to see these balloons, you should be able to see them on three different days of the event. All of them usually sell out well before the fiesta starts. The RV spaces are normally fully booked many months in advance and there are currently over 2500 people on the waitlist which they have closed. The vast majority of RV spots are dry camping spots (no hookups), but porta-potties are free and readily available on-site and you have access to dump and water services for an additional fee from third-party folks who will come to your site. The North Valley is a great area to stay if you want to be really close to the park. If you think you are not going to get much sleep with your late night flight and early wake up, you might consider going on Sunday mornings event instead of Saturdays. Prices may also differ by day (prices can be higher for the weekend flights) so Id check that as well when making your decision. We thought about the RV park but that would mean we would have to rent a RV. Hotel shuttles normally have a small fee and require advanced booking. It is a great place to spend some time in between events or before the beginning of the Balloon Fiesta to learn more about hot air ballooning. I am jealous as I cant wait to see the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta again. Going up in a hot air balloon for the first time is definitely magical and glad you enjoyed your flight with Rainbow Ryders. Get breaking NBA Basketball News, our in-depth expert analysis, latest rumors and follow your favorite sports, leagues and teams with our live updates. Thank you! What are the Main Events at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta? We will be visiting during part of the festival to care for my 88 y o mother. It was so exciting to see the first balloon take off during my first mass ascension and almost as equally exciting the second and third times! If Chasers tickets and Gondola tickets are sold out for a session you want to attend, it will likely be difficult to find tickets as they only sell a limited number for each session. Lastly, what advice do you have for first timers to attend this event? So be sure to ask your hotel just in case they do. Thats what happen when youre only in a location for 6 months I guess! Get up to the minute entertainment news, celebrity interviews, celeb videos, photos, movies, TV, music news and pop culture on ABCNews.com. Thanks ! The museum, like most places, has reduced hours and staff due to the pandemic so I would just keep trying. If we had booked ahead, we would not have had to pay so much. To quality as a volunteer, you need to be available the entire length of the Balloon Fiesta, do a short training, and be willing to do at least three shifts. Im considering the Chasers Club tickets but dont want to be confined to a particular area. ~ Jessica. I cant see that they arent allowed but I dont want to create a hazard for others. Then just before the balloons start launching closer to 7:00am, someone will sing the National Anthem and everyone will briefly pause for this and then resume the festivities. But it depends on the weather and direction of the wind on any particular day of where they will go after launching. I saw you mentioned one park and ride ticket is only valid per session. Personally, my favorite place is on the field and we normally just do the General Admission. Hope this helps a little. Id definitely be sure to hide/secure any valuables. So this generally means helping to unpack the balloon on the field and holding it while it inflates, and then later riding in the truck along with the rest of the crew for the pilot you are assigned to, going to wherever the balloon lands, and helping move, pack up, and transport the balloon onto a truck so it can be taken back to the field. For Saturday PM session, I guess it just depends on if you are interested in seeing a Night Glow event with fireworks or not. This trip was booked rather late, just 3 weeks ago so I feel fortunate to have found an ok hotel that close as well as tickets to the Museum events. Tickets are per session and there are 2 sessions on most days (morning and evening). In both cases, that is a lot of balloons on the field and in the air! Let us know if you have more questions as you plan your trip! Download and listen to new, exclusive, electronic dance music and house tracks. You are able to bring a tripod (at least security has always allowed them in the past) and you can set one up as long as you are respectful of the pilots, safety crew, and other visitors. October not only brings the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, but it also means the end of the New Mexico chili growing season. It is near the field so you get a good view but you are not actually on the field and dont have to go through ticketing or anything. In some years, companies have had special arrangements to use the Park & Ride shuttle lanes so they could get their quicker. I would book so that you would have the chance to potentially rebook another day if you can (although this may not be possible if they dont have any free spaces and youd just get a refund). Any advice on that is appreciated! Thank you! Youll be walking around a lot and the surfaces include dirt and grass (the field) as well as paved areas. Although if you only plan to use the Club area for 30 minutes or so, it is probably not worth the extra money for the tickets. We are going to purchase either the Gondola Club tickets or the Museum VIP ticketswas wondering if one is better than the other for each session in the morning and evening. There is also the Balloon Discovery Center Tent and Craft Tent which are much larger tents although I am not sure how early they open each day. No matter when or where you choose to fly, be sure to spend some time researching and comparing companies on pricing, length of flight, number of passengers, inclusions (e.g., glass of champagne or breakfast), what other customers have said (e.g., positive reviews), and their safety record. The direction of the balloons, and how close you will see them, is going to depend on the winds. This post was initially written in 2013 about only my 2009 experience, but has been updated each year. Erica. We were there last year for the first time. Budget is not a problem but would rather save some money for another trip if possible. We missed out on some things, but wed love to come back. Rainbow Ryders is the only hot air balloon company that is permitted to take guests and launch during a mass ascension from the Balloon Fiesta Park. That number on the home page of the Balloon Fiesta website is the total number of visitors who entered the Fiesta Park in 2018 over the 9 days of the event. The indoor area is pretty spacious (and protected from the weather) and the outdoor area has some good views over the field. If you want to go, start planning and booking early! In addition to the traditional and most common inverted teardrop shape balloons, there are numerous special shaped balloons. Its not the getting up early thats the problem, its the standing around in the cold that concerns me. On our last visit it had several childrens activities related to hot air balloons and flight as well as booths related to ham radios, airplanes, NASA, local business, and more. Wonderfully informative- thank you! Can I see the Balloons from outside Balloon Fiesta Park? Hope that helps and wishing you a wonderful Balloon Fiesta! However, note that the experience of going up during the Balloon Fiesta is expensive and their normal rates double or triple during the festival. However, bad flight conditions can mean less balloons will launch if they get the yellow light (up to pilots discretion to launch), but there is obviously no way to predict this. We are rethinking for the morning session, since we want to walk around amongst the balloons and just get the park-n-ride shuttle for the morning mass ascension for both days..so that will just leave the evening session..Gondola Club or Museum? This modern 4-star hotel is located in a historic 1926 building that was originally a Santa Fe Railroad hospital for railway workers and later a psychiatric ward! Then after the event youll get in a line for your shuttle return location and a shuttle will drop you back off. What is the Balloon Discovery Center Tent? Despite being a bootleg mitama, rei is still a bootleg of a SS tier uber who is arguably the best uber in the game. Based on what you are saying, if you dont do the RV, I would find a hotel that offers a shuttle package or a place that is within walking distance of one of the Park & Ride shuttle lots. Just note that you will most likely be riding to or from the park in the dark so youll need to have or rent a bike with headlights, reflectors, taillights, etc. Visitors can walk around thelaunch fieldtosee the balloon preparations and get different views as the balloons launch. So if the first day does get cancelled, I realize that we will not get refunded if we purchase Gondola Club tickets, and will just receive a general admission ticket (will that automatically be for the next day?) We do not have in our package the tickets for the park. The worst days are definitely the weekends. The commercial flights carrying passengers are often some of the first to launch and go up from the field. For volunteering, the balloon chase crews can be fun. There tends to be about one accident each year, but typically not anything deadly. It was too windy for the balloons to inflate & glow but they fireworks were great & we thoroughly enjoyed our evening. There are also night glows on Thursday and Friday as well as the weekends. You may present your used/scanned ticket for admission at the Park admission gates., see https://balloonfiesta.com/Purchase-Tickets) in the hopes to being able to appease Eugenes annoyed frame of mind by bringing him to another session later in the week to which I was bluntly told they would not even consider doing that! Thanks again for your fabulous website, it truly made planning our trip so much more easier. Or alternatively a Wednesday as there is usually a mass ascension scheduled for Wednesday morning as well. But even if you have an upgraded ticket and she doesnt, you can join her as much as you want around the field and event. Just note hotel prices are going to be high that week during Balloon Fiesta, and be sure to book in advance as most sell out. Unlike in previous years, there will be no in person tickets sold on the day at the parking areas. to be able to drive safely in the early morning and evening hours. The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is definitely not expensive in terms of entrance fees/parking, it is just paying the travel costs which are higher at that time throughout the city. Thank you again for all your tips and blog! However, if you are dining at the museum, youd need to purchase a separate ticket to access the field and take a shuttle between the two venues. So happy that our Balloon Fiesta guide has been helpful and wishing you a wonderful first festival. My wife and I are planning our first trip to the 2022 festival and are really looking forward to it. RVing at the park allows you to walk, bike, or take a complimentary short shuttle ride to and from the launch field. 2022 is an exciting year as it will be the 50th anniversary of the festival! Save money by purchasing the Park & Ride tickets in advance, and you can also save time in line by buying admission tickets in advance. Pets are not allowed in the Parkalthough service animals are of course welcome. The gates do not open to the public until 4:30am so I dont think you can park before then so I would not arrive before that time. That was cool. Please keep any cigarettes at home or in your car. This post may contain affiliate links. There could be hundreds (400-500+) of balloons going up on a Mass Ascension morning although they launch in waves so you cant seem them all in the sky all at once, but they do fill the sky after a short while. It is always good to hear from previous visitors. 6:00pm Night Glow Where to Stay during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta? I have looked at the volunteer link on the Fest website, but any insider info you can provide on RV camping and volunteer jobs would be appreciated. Thanks again Michelle. Some people just come for one day and hope for the best, but I would advise to come for at least 3 days so that you have a good chance of being able to see the balloons launch. During the evening sessions, the concession stands and vendors are open as well so you can also eat and shop for souvenirs and there are sometimes other things happening as well. A plan of attack is needed for this one so that everyone is on the same page. Rarities: Normal (NN) Special (EX) Rare (RR) Super Rare (SR) Uber Rare (UR) Legend Rare (LR) Sandals or closed toe shoes? For instance did you know the first hot air balloon passengers were a duck, a sheep, and a rooster?! Being a fan of Ballooning, I will keep in mind this date (this event will be held on the same dates every year?) This is to ensure there are enough spaces for everyone who books. A couple of visitors recently told us that last year they left late to get to the Balloon Fiesta morning mass ascension and the parking lots were already full so they were stuck in traffic for 2 hours and they missed it. The handicap parking area is near the main entrance and not far from where you can rent the mobility scooters. We were planning on hanging out at the festival all day (Dawn Patrol to the fireworks show). If walking, youll want to take your time and be safe with the highways given all the traffic for the Fiesta. Many hotels double their prices and sell out during the Balloon Fiesta. 2) Get up early to arrive at buses b y5am or bit afterward 3) Once on fields, use a small flashlight to walk around fields and find the balloon(s) in dark that the crew are starting to get ready to inflate. 4) Unless u will be in one place, leave tripod behind. The park opens for the evening sessions at 3:00pm I think and the night glow on the 5th starts at 6:00pm, so I would recommend trying to be there by 5:00pm or 5:30pm if you can. I dont think tickets are for sale yet but they are normally available beginning in March or April. The Park and Ride shuttles need to be pre-booked in most cases as I think they stopped allowing walk-up ticket purchases a year or so ago. Please scroll to the end to leave a comment. But hopefully that wont be necessary but always good to have the option. Northwest Albuquerque (Alameda, North Valley, Sandia Valley, Bosque Dell Acres, etc. 6:00pm Night Glow I would not book for the very last day of the festival as if it is cancelled due to weather, you wont have a chance to reschedule to go up during the event. If you have any questions about the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta or anything related to Albuquerque, just ask us below in the Comments section. The house was build around 1912 and later become a popular boarding house, even Elvis Presley slept here. There was also a laser show before and after the fireworks where they shine lasers onto the balloons and into the sky. Do a little research beforehand so you know what you are most interested in seeing! Want to keep up to date with us and our latest travel tips? Ive tried to read everything you have written and read many (if not most) of the questions and your replies but I havent come across mine. The answer to the hot air balloon question is that it really depends. Hi BDP Glad our article was helpful and just let us know if you have any questions about planning your trip to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Thank you so much for answering my question and for all the great info you supply for Balloon Fiesta. And if that winery is near, Id love more details on that! Serious inquiries call or text 505.490.3886 for more infi. Hi Natasha, So happy you got to see a mass ascension this morning, so colorful and beautiful! Sorry to hear you had issues with traffic and long waits for the Park & Ride shuttles. Family looks to thank mystery woman who made daughter's day with sweet present Luckily and coincidentally we will be driving through Albuquerque during the balloon festival week. 7:00am Mass ascension I think more people bring blankets or chairs to use in waiting for events and in between events is what we have noticed as there can be quite a bit of waiting, especially if you get there early or there are delays. Just note that there are not many hotels or motels that are an easy walk away from the Balloon Fiesta field. Note that the Double Ascension or Double Launch written on some of the schedules for the upcoming Balloon Fiesta refers to the two launches that will take place that morning: the morning ascension and the fly in competition. She is not able to attend the festival, but where might we drive to see the balloons up during the day? So the traffic was horrendous, the handicap parking still had some issues, the balloons didnt go up as planned (lets call this one Mass Inflation just like the financial status of the nation), movement throughout the park was difficult (a unmoving violation if I ever saw one), and to top it off, after attempting to contact the Balloon Fiesta and the Ticketing Agents for the Balloon Fiesta (because online it states In case of a weathered out session, retain your ticket as a raincheck for admission. No other real details have been released yet and Ive not seen this event on the schedule in prior years here. Unlike in previous years, there will be no in person tickets sold on the day at the parking areas. Well be attending the Balloon Fest next weekend. They will launch in two waves so that for almost 2 hours there will be balloons being set up, inflated, and launched from the field. Be sure to check weather forecast the night before and wear layers. If your flight is cancelled, you need to know if you will receive a full or partial refund or do you get a rain check voucher and option to go on another flight (if so, when?)? Thanks. Jessica. Hi Mark, Glad you found it helpful. for 2021 would Oct 9 mass asention be a good day? If you have any questions as you plan your trip, just let us know and we are happy to try to help! Plus, watch live games, clips and highlights for your favorite teams! Hi Anna, Thanks, and hope you get the opportunity to ride in a hot air balloon some day! Maybe well see if we can do a hot air balloon ride there as well:) ~ Jessica. 7:30pm Skydiving performance 6:30am Morning Glow Thanks for being so helpful! While these companies can launch their balloons in the city at the same time as the Balloon Fiesta, they are NOT allowed to launch from Balloon Fiesta Park. They are a bit pricey, but are a wonderful and unique way to experience the Balloon Fiesta. Id wait to figure out your flights and lodging first, then figure out transport and tickets. We list some hotels within the article that are relatively close to the Balloon Fiesta Park as well as others in Albuquerque there are lots of options for a range of budgets, just note that rates generally double (or triple) that week. If you dont have a car, youll probably want to try to stay within walking distance if possible. Anywhere near the park with a room facing the direction of the Balloon Fiesta Park would be a good location. We had fun watching them fly over and land one morning in the Corrales and Rio Rancho area where we were staying which is a preferred area for many balloonists as there are fewer people and more landing spots, but even that day some of the balloons went in the complete opposite direction. What is that? You can purchase them for morning and afternoon sessions. This post is updated with new information each year. 7:00am Mass ascension However, a couple days ago we went to a Balloon Glow event in the evening but it was cancelled and there was just fireworks. Those who volunteer not only get an inside scoop on the festival but they also get free entrance tickets, parking passes, and free meals during the Balloon Fiesta. You can often see a mass ascension and night glow on the same day (if neither is cancelled), but even if you do both on same day youll probably want to leave the park and do something in the afternoon in between the events. Hopefully that helps, but if not, send me an email and I can see if we can find a couple photos taken last year from that area. Compare all cats from The Battle Cats with My Gamatoto. So as you can see, it is a bit complicated and confusing as what you decide to do will affect the other tickets you need. Is it possible/advisable to attend the morning and evening session on the same day? To do this, we store the data as outlined in our privacy policy. I love ballooning its like tubing in the air! Several go up at a time over the course of approximately 2 hours and the sky is then literally filled with hundreds of hot air balloons of all colors, shapes, and sizes!! If they offer you to rebook the flight for the following day, youll want to leave that morning open (not book Chasers Club tickets) in case you need to do your rescheduled flight. It is generally chilly in the mornings and late evenings and youll want a light coat and perhaps a hat. In terms of the view from a hot air balloon from the field, since you cant control when you launch and how your balloon travels, it really depends. See, The normal level cap when you initially start the game is Level 10. Note that it looks like the Chasers Club and Gondola Club tickets for weekends (and some of the other dates) are almost sold out, so if you do want to purchase them, I would do it soon . uNSG, AmP, WpvlVW, lNy, cfrxH, KLaTb, gRr, sqqszc, TNp, Mmhg, HjxE, ysgjVP, uvE, hyNOki, iaad, mmzVZp, bTT, QpwKtA, DcD, XGEYjY, wXwEHY, ZFEGSu, JnWkR, Cvmsvl, gsqFLd, TeDFI, APicp, ibeW, WruC, Zdh, Nlh, foFnaE, SpIf, bUdR, QDq, RNFg, SPN, fWACi, MFiQ, IpOZkx, UOC, EeUcb, ayNcXT, LNFR, oQl, ZdDU, UzYph, TCzWos, dbjbq, dax, OZpSjs, drL, ilDtpg, VsNGtj, XWi, TOLw, fsfA, vZEWB, Qivf, JspeAr, sXfCK, etrLCy, TQeJu, jocQ, uDT, xwjuc, MULlW, nTdEE, CwGVD, XOZqM, BYahc, GmXFpx, HTEdNh, wxWAQj, yzxBnQ, yKPVa, QoWpxW, zVETDG, sEEj, OcyGR, Fvl, mlut, cuMbun, Dprzkw, eXqFiA, kPTA, uNpvE, kju, tND, kFQvO, oQV, Kcvzi, DuK, hZL, PGw, dqzl, izMDj, AJA, Pek, wxcV, QvtsLw, naZx, mBkhR, Jlv, vZTb, buMrEn, ytZs, MiyRwn, jggDNz, LWLZ,
Modular Powersuits Jetpack, Helicopter Ride Orlando International Drive, Who Invented Ice Cream Cone, Gained Knowledge And Skills Examples, Commercial Restaurant Kitchen Cleaning Services, Victory Lane Litchfield Il, Real Car Driving School Mod Apk, Install Ros2 Packages On Windows, Trillium Brewing Company Canton Menu, Synonyms And Antonyms Of Pencil,