Every October almost a million visitors arrive in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They come to pilot hot-air balloons, ride in balloons, or just watch balloons soar through the air. This year, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta takes place from October 3 to October 11. The 2026 theme is “Scenic Route.” to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, a famous historic highway that runs through Albuquerque.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest balloon event in the world. It has several balloon races. It also has competitions where balloon crews try hit targets on the ground with markers. Another event is called Dawn Patrol. Using lighting systems that let them fly at night, balloonists take off around 6 am. They stay in the air until it is light enough to see their landing zone.
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A balloon flies because the hot air inside it is lighter than the cooler air outside it. This is why they are sometimes called hot-air balloons. Some balloons use a gas that is lighter than air, such as hydrogen, instead.
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta began in 1972. It started when a radio station, KKOB, wanted to celebrate its 50th anniversary. They decided to hold a hot- air balloon race in the parking lot of a local mall. Twenty-one balloons were scheduled to participate. Because of storms across the Midwest, only 13 balloons made it to Albuquerque. Still, the race was successful enough to inspire organizers in Albuquerque to hold an annual balloon festival.
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The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta features balloons with different designs and shapes. They are displayed in an event called the Special Shape Rodeo.
Over the years, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta grew. It moved from a mall parking lot to an old airfield. Now it has its own permanent home called Balloon Fiesta Park. Today, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta draws 800,000 visitors to Albuquerque each year. These visitors spend around $200 million at the festival or at local businesses.
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Photo Credit: Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
