Pick your sessions first
The 55th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta runs October 2-10, 2027. A session is either all the morning activities or all the evening activities, and one ticket covers one session.
For a first visit, the mass ascension morning is the one to prioritize. It starts with Dawn Patrol, then the main launch, when hundreds of balloons rise in two waves over about two hours. If you can manage a second session, make it an evening glow, when the balloons light up on the ground after sunset.
- Morning session: Dawn Patrol and mass ascension on mass ascension days.
- Evening session: a balloon glow, with fireworks at some of them.
- Glowdeo: the evening display of special shape balloons, on Thursday and Friday nights.
- There are no evening sessions Monday through Wednesday, or on the last Sunday.
Tickets and what they cost
General admission was $22.24 per person per session in 2026, fees included, with children 12 and under free. Prices can change, so confirm 2027 prices on the official Balloon Fiesta site.
Buy only through balloonfiesta.com. The festival says it does not authorize third-party vendors to sell tickets online. General admission can also be bought at the gate during the event, but ordering ahead saves you a line on a cold morning.
Park and Ride, explained
A Park and Ride ticket includes round-trip bus service and event admission, so it replaces a general admission ticket rather than adding to it. Buses use an expedited route that bypasses the heavy traffic near the park.
In 2026, adult tickets were $32.59 bought in advance and $35.70 if bought after midnight on the day. Tickets must be bought online and used for the specific date, session and time. There is no Park and Ride on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
The 2026 remote lots were Cottonwood Mall, Coronado Center and Hoffmantown Church, plus Intel in Rio Rancho on weekends only. Check the 2027 list when tickets go on sale.
- Morning buses to the park left the lots at 4:00 and 5:30 a.m. in 2026; inbound service ended at 7:00 a.m.
- Morning return buses ran 8:00 to 11:00 a.m., every 30 minutes.
- Evening buses to the park left at 3:00 and 4:30 p.m.; returns ran 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.
What time to arrive
Dawn Patrol inflations begin at about 5:45 a.m., with launch around 6:00 a.m. On mass ascension days, about a dozen Dawn Patrol balloons fly a choreographed show. The mass ascension starts at about 7:00 a.m., weather permitting.
Plan to be on the field before Dawn Patrol inflations begin at about 5:45 a.m., which means catching the 4:00 a.m. bus. Taking the 5:30 a.m. bus should get you there for the main launch, but you will likely miss some of Dawn Patrol. Walk among the balloons while they inflate; the field is open to guests, with no viewing stands.
For evening sessions, bring a flashlight and note where you parked, since finding your car in the dark is harder.
Dressing for cold mornings
October mornings in Albuquerque can be near freezing before sunrise, and you will be standing on open ground for hours. Wear thermal layers, a hat and gloves, and shoes you don't mind getting dusty.
Hand warmers, a stadium cushion and a thermos of something hot make the wait easier. The air is dry and the city sits around 5,300 feet, so drink water and expect to be tired by mid-morning. A nap afterward is a reasonable plan.
If weather cancels a session
Balloon Fiesta depends on the weather, and tickets are nonrefundable. If a session is cancelled, it is rain-checked: keep your ticket, and it becomes a general admission ticket valid for any remaining session that year. You can still stay and enjoy the park for the rest of that session.
If you used Park and Ride, you will need to buy a Bus Only ticket online to ride the bus to a make-up session. Session status is posted on the official Balloon Fiesta app and social media channels, so check before you leave for the lot.
This is a good reason to book two or more sessions across different days instead of betting on one morning.
Balloon rides and a sample schedule
Visit Albuquerque, the city's tourism office, lists balloon ride options on its Balloon Fiesta pages, and that is the place to start. Rides are separate from event admission, so book early and confirm details directly with the provider.
Our day-by-day plan pairs two balloon mornings and a glow evening with Old Town, the Sandia Peak Tramway, Santa Fe and Petroglyph National Monument.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate ticket if I take Park and Ride?
No. A Park and Ride ticket includes round-trip bus service and admission to Balloon Fiesta, so you do not need general admission as well.
Can I buy Balloon Fiesta tickets at the gate?
Yes, general admission can be bought at the gate on event days. Buying online ahead of time saves waiting in line, and Park and Ride tickets must be bought online.
Is there Park and Ride every day?
No. There is no Park and Ride service on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
Do I get a refund if the balloons don't fly?
No, tickets are nonrefundable. A cancelled session is rain-checked, so keep your ticket and use it as general admission for another session that year.
When is Balloon Fiesta in 2027?
The 55th Balloon Fiesta runs October 2-10, 2027, at Balloon Fiesta Park, north of Alameda Boulevard and one mile west of I-25.
