Albuquerque balloon fiesta returns Oct. 3, tickets $20

The ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta runs Oct. 3 through 11 at Balloon Fiesta Park, with general admission set at $20 plus a $2.24 fee. Children 12 and under get in free.

Each day begins with a Drone Light Show at 5:45 a.m. On days with evening sessions, another Drone Light Show is scheduled for 7:45 p.m., followed by the After Glow™ fireworks show at 8 p.m.

Morning and evening sessions are planned for Oct. 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10. Morning-only sessions are set for Oct. 5, 6, 7 and 11.

Mass Ascensions are scheduled for Oct. 3, 4 and 10, with a Farewell Mass Ascension on Oct. 11. Balloon Launches are planned for Oct. 5, 6, 8 and 9. Every launch starts at 7 a.m.

Monday, Oct. 5 is New Mexico Day at Balloon Fiesta. General admission is free for all New Mexicans, with a photo ID or utility bill showing a New Mexico address required at the ticket booth.

One session covers all morning activities or all evening activities, and general admission tickets are good for any one session. Tickets are nonrefundable, and Balloon Fiesta is a weather-dependent event.

Park & Ride service is available for both morning and evening sessions, and each Park & Ride ticket includes park admission.

Morning buses run from remote lots to Balloon Fiesta Park at 4 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., with inbound service ending at 7 a.m. Return buses to remote lots run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., with straggler buses running 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Evening buses run from remote lots to Balloon Fiesta Park at 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., with inbound service ending at 6 p.m. Return buses run 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with straggler buses 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Park & Ride locations include:

• Cottonwood Mall, 10000 Coors Bypass NW, northeast parking lot near Seven Bar Loop and Coors Bypass NW
• Coronado Center, 6600 Menaul Boulevard NE, southwest corner near San Pedro Drive and Uptown Boulevard
• Hoffmantown Church, 8888 Harper Road NE, northeast parking lot only
• Intel (weekends only), 1600 Rio Rancho Drive SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124, southeast lot only

A Bike Valet service is also available at the event.

Prohibited items include firearms (operational and non-operational, including off-duty law enforcement), knives or tools with a blade 3 inches or larger, Tasers, alcohol, narcotics and drug paraphernalia, drones, glass or ceramic, fireworks and noise makers, any explosive device, religious or political paraphernalia, skateboards, roller skates, hoverboards and scooters, pets (trained service animals permitted), laser pointers, aerosol cans and dry ice.

Planned events include the 2026 Music Fiesta, Drone Light Show, Dawn Patrol Show, mass ascensions, Krispy Kreme Morning Glow, Chainsaw Carving Exhibition and Auction, Team Fastrax™ Skydiving and the After Glow™ Fireworks Show.