10:00 AM · 1 h
Land at ABQ and pick up rental car
Car needed for tram, Santa Fe and petroglyphs
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2027 (55th)
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Dawn Patrol, mass ascension and a day in Santa Fe: Sally's favorite week
⏳ In 11 months · Oct 2, 2027 Remind me
- The plan: Oct 7 – 104 days around Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2027 (55th)
- Albuquerque, New Mexico (Old Town)26 places · Couple
- Facts checked Oct 31, 20266 sources, listed below
Walk Old Town's adobe lanes, ride the Sandia Tramway at sunset, and day-trip to Santa Fe. Two mornings start with hot-air balloons at Balloon Fiesta Park, with red chile at most stops.
Day 1 is on us
4 days · 26 stops
What it's like in OctoberOctober averages highs of 22.5°C (73°F) and lows of 9.1°C (48°F), with about four rainy days. Bring layers for cool mornings at the balloon field.
Day 1 · Thu, Oct 7 · Free
Old Town and Sandia sunset
Adobe streets, pueblo history, then tram ride at dusk
Wikimedia Commons via Wikipedia: Old Town Albuquerque2 min
Wikimedia Commons via Wikipedia: San Felipe de Neri Church12:17 PM · 30 min
San Felipe de Neri Church
ChurchOldest building in Albuquerque, still active
4.8(976)Googlefree
2 min
Photo: Church Street Cafe / Google12:50 PM · 1 h 10 min
Church Street Cafe
Southwestern restaurant (US)Chile rellenos inside the Casa de Ruiz
4.3(3,447)Google$$
15 min
Wikimedia Commons via Wikipedia: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center2:30 PM · 2 h
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Cultural centerRun by the 19 Pueblos of New Mexico
4.6(7,353)Google$
1 h 26 min
Wikimedia Commons via Wikipedia: Sandia Peak Tramway5:56 PM · 2 h
Sandia Peak Tramway
Tourist attractionMountains turn watermelon-pink at sunset
4.7(12,781)Google$29-$34
1 h 14 min
Photo: Padilla's Mexican Kitchen / Google9:10 PM · 1 h 15 min
Padilla's Mexican Kitchen
Mexican restaurantLocals' pick for rich red chile
4.6(2,364)Google$$
The rest of the plan
19 stops
Day 2 · Fri, Oct 8
Santa Fe day trip and balloon glow
8 stops · Santa Fe Plaza, Canyon Road, Balloon Fiesta Park
Day 3 · Sat, Oct 9
Mass ascension and petroglyphs
6 stops · Balloon Fiesta Park, West Mesa, Old Town
Day 4 · Sun, Oct 10
Farewell launch and departure
5 stops · Balloon Fiesta Park, Old Town, Sunport
Get all 4 days
Everything below Day 1, plus offline maps and free updates until Oct 2.
- 4-day fiesta plan
- Dawn Patrol and mass ascension mornings
- Park and Ride, tickets and weather
- Offline maps in the app
Apple Pay · Google Pay · card 7-day refund
Give it as a giftGood to know
- The Balloon Fiesta's site says the 55th ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is October 2-10, 2027.balloonfiesta.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
- Weather permitting, mass ascension balloons begin to launch at about 7:00 a.m. on mass ascension days, in two waves.balloonfiesta.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
- Dawn Patrol inflations begin at about 5:45 a.m. with launch around 6:00 a.m., weather permitting, and about a dozen Dawn Patrol balloons perform a choreographed show on mass ascension days.balloonfiesta.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
- Park and Ride tickets include round-trip bus service and event admission; there is no Park and Ride service on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.balloonfiesta.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
- In the 2026 schedule morning Park and Ride buses leave the remote lots at 4:00 and 5:30 a.m. and inbound service ends at 7:00 a.m.; 2026 prices were $30 to $33 for bus plus admission depending on purchase time.balloonfiesta.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
- Balloon Fiesta says sessions can be cancelled for weather, and cancelled sessions are rain-checked, so keep your ticket.balloonfiesta.com · checked Oct 31, 2026
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