Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta releases schedule of events for 2026
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta runs for nine days in Albuquerque from October 3 to October 11. More than 800,000 visitors travel to the city each year to watch balloons fly. The festival has become one of the most photographed events worldwide.
Activities begin on Saturday, October 3. Events start early in the morning and run through the night.
- 5:45 a.m. Drone Light Show
- 6 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show
- 6:30 a.m. Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
- 7 a.m. Opening Ceremonies
- 7 a.m. Mass Ascension
- 8 a.m. to noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
- 10 a.m. Chainsaw Carving Auction
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
- 5 p.m. Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
- 6:30 p.m. Twilight Twinkle Glow™
- 7:30 p.m. Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
- 7:45 p.m. Drone Light Show
- 8 p.m. After Glow™ Fireworks Show
The program continues on Sunday, October 4. Morning launches lead into afternoon exhibitions.
- 5:45 a.m. Drone Light Show
- 6 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show
- 6:30 a.m. Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
- 7 a.m. Mass Ascension
- 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Fiesta de los Globitos (RC Balloon Exhibition)
- 8 a.m. to noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
- 11 a.m. Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
- 5 p.m. Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
- 6:30 p.m. Balloon Glow
- 7:30 p.m. Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
- 7:45 p.m. Drone Light Show
- 8 p.m. After Glow™ Fireworks Show
Weekday launches and competitions
Monday, October 5 marks New Mexico Day. It shares several morning flight times with Tuesday.
- 5:45 a.m. Drone Light Show
- 6 a.m. Dawn Patrol
- 7 a.m. Balloon Launch
- 8 a.m. Fly In Competition
- 8 a.m. to noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
Tuesday, October 6 features the same morning schedule. Pilots compete again at 8 a.m.
- 5:45 a.m. Drone Light Show
- 6 a.m. Dawn Patrol
- 7 a.m. Balloon Launch
- 8 a.m. Fly In Competition
- 8 a.m. to noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
Midweek flights change on Wednesday, October 7. The day features international balloons.
- 5:45 a.m. Drone Light Show
- 6 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show
- 7 a.m. Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension
- 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Fiesta de los Globitos (RC Balloon Exhibition)
- 8 a.m. to noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
Thursday, October 8 brings special balloon shapes back to Albuquerque. Evening events resume.
- 5:45 a.m. Drone Light Show
- 6 a.m. Dawn Patrol
- 7 a.m. Special Shape Rodeo™
- 7 a.m. Balloon Launch
- 8 a.m. Fly In Competition
- 8 a.m. to noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
- 10 a.m. Chainsaw Carving Auction
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
- 5 p.m. Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
- 6:30 p.m. Special Shape Glowdeo™
- 7:30 p.m. Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
- 7:45 p.m. Drone Light Show
- 8 p.m. After Glow™ Fireworks Show
Weekend finale and music
Friday, October 9 starts early with activities for children. Evening displays return at dusk.
- 4:30 a.m. Kids’ Day Goodie Bag Distribution Begins
- 5:45 a.m. Drone Light Show
- 6 a.m. Dawn Patrol
- 7 a.m. Special Shape Rodeo™
- 7 a.m. Balloon Launch
- 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Fiesta de los Globitos (RC Balloon Exhibition)
- 8 a.m. Fly In Competition
- 8 a.m. to noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
- 10 a.m. Chainsaw Carving Auction
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
- 5 p.m. Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
- 6:30 p.m. Special Shape Glowdeo™
- 7:30 p.m. Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
- 7:45 p.m. Drone Light Show
- 8 p.m. After Glow™ Fireworks Show
Saturday, October 10 includes live concerts alongside balloon flights. Multiple performers will play.
- 5:45 a.m. Drone Light Show
- 6 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show
- 6:30 a.m. Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
- 7 a.m. Mass Ascension
- 8 a.m. to noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
- 11 a.m. Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading
- 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
- 3 p.m. Music Fiesta (KRST DJ)
- 4 p.m. Music Fiesta (Nathaniel Krantz)
- 5 p.m. Team Fastrax™ Skydiving
- 5:30 p.m. Music Fiesta (Dasha)
- 6:30 p.m. Night Magic™ Glow
- 6:30 p.m. Fiesta de los Globitos (RC Balloon Exhibition)
- 7:30 p.m. Music Fiesta (Russell Dickerson)
- 9 p.m. Drone Light Show
- 9:15 p.m. After Glow™ Fireworks Show
The nine-day gathering concludes on Sunday, October 11. It ends at noon.
- 5:45 a.m. Drone Light Show
- 6 a.m. Dawn Patrol Show
- 6:30 a.m. Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
- 7 a.m. Farewell Mass Ascension
- 8 a.m. to noon Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
A mass ascension is a coordinated launch where hundreds of hot air balloons inflate together. Dawn patrol pilots take off before sunrise to test wind speeds and atmospheric safety. Glow events keep balloons tethered to the ground while their burners illuminate the envelopes.
The annual gathering is held every October in Albuquerque. Crowds gather outdoors from dawn until nightfall.
