Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta

From a small gathering of 13 balloons in 1972, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown to become hands-down the largest balloon event in the world. Held each year during the first week in October, the Balloon Fiesta hosts hundreds of balloons and over 1,000 pilots. The first gathering of 13 balloons in 1972 was held in the parking lot of Coronado Center in uptown Albuquerque. The following year, 13 countries participated in the “First World Hot Air Balloon Championships,” held at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. The event had already caught on. By 1978, Albuquerque was hosting the world’s largest ballooning event (273 entries that year alone).

Gas balloons became part of the Balloon Fiesta in 1981. In 1993, the Balloon Fiesta hosted the 37th annual Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett (also known as the Gordon Bennett Cup ), the world’s oldest and most prestigious gas balloon race. In 1994, Balloon Fiesta hosted the 8th World Gas Balloon Championship, and in 1995, Fiesta launched America’s Challenge Gas Balloon Race, a distance race that broke distance records dating back to 1912.

Today the Balloon Fiesta includes such special events as the weekend and Wednesday mass ascensions, Balloon Glow®, Night Magic™ Glow, and the Special Shape Rodeo and Special Shape Glowdeo™ where more than 100 uniquely shaped balloons participate.

In 1992, the name Kodak was added to Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, reflecting that this had become the world’s most photographed event. The Balloon Fiesta has changed the face of ballooning, showing new pilots and owners what a thrilling and safe experience ballooning can be each year.

October 5th – October 13,2024

Established: 1972 ——————————————————————–Number of Balloons 700