The Albuquerque International Balloon is very popular for RVers and there are hundreds of spots available each year around the launch field. Is there anything about hot air ballooning I should know? Remember that all days have a Morning Session (5:30am to 10:00am) of ballooning events and most days also have an Evening Session (5:00pm to 9:00pm). The museum has a great glass viewing area where you can sit comfortably and watch the balloons and an outdoor viewing deck. Note that you will want to be out for the morning events as they balloons do not leave the field for the evening events (they are tethered in place) so not really visible from outside field. Note that Park and Ride tickets now need to be booked online and may sell out in advance. You can actually walk there or its a short drive to park there. My husband and I are planning to attend this year, 2018. Note that rates will be higher than normal during the Festival so be prepared for surge pricing. Spaces generally sell out fast, so be sure to reserve your spots as soon as you want to go! Hi Michelle, That is exciting to hear The Sandia Resort is very convenient to the Balloon Fiesta Field and they often they have a shuttle you can arrange to take you to and from the resort to the field. Love the post! Bring a jacket and dress in layers. However, they almost all seem to greatly enjoy seeing the balloons and take pride that the event is hosted in their home city. To do this, we store the data as outlined in our privacy policy. Yes, there is no way the event (or parking area) could accommodate that number of people all in one session! But the Balloon Launches can be nice as there is generally fewer people and less traffic on these days. We thought about the RV park but that would mean we would have to rent a RV. The museum is ADA compliant and I think the event space is full accessible for wheelchairs. Spots range from dry tent camping spots to premium spots with great views next to the launch field and the highly-prized Presidents Compound spots (bluff overlooking the launch field with good views & hook-ups). Her question now makes a lot more sense! Wondering if you think walking to the festival is a good idea? I want to see a mass ascension and catch a night glow but want to avoid the weekends for the most part. Then again we came back with my parents and younger brother and attended again in 2018. #TheWeeklyPostcard, Hi Ruth, That is disappointing to hear about the balloon event being cancelled, especially due to a non-weather related event! I am sorry to hear the balloons didnt go up on your visit, that is definitely a big disappointment after over 2 hours in traffic. But if they arent able to get the balloons up and crowds are already there when it is canceled, they will typically still try to do the light show and/or fireworks if they can. If they go up your first day, then you can go again or enjoy other things in the city and area. You can see photos in our article above of this. 8:00pm Fireworks Show, 6:00am Dawn Patrol Do people do that? Please note that all the times listed are all approximate and all events are weather dependent! There are of course several other campsites in Albuquerque that cost a bit less. We list some hotels within the article that are relatively close to the Balloon Fiesta Park as well as others in Albuquerque there are lots of options for a range of budgets, just note that rates generally double (or triple) that week. My car didnt leave the park and ride parking lot, and I did not use one trip back and forth from the parking lot to the event. Please dont stop being this helpful. Note these photos are a random collection of photos we took at the 2009, 2016, and and 2018 events. I am very excited to be going this year 2019. 2. Then there is always the hotels close by that offer packages as well as AAA. These are typically much less used and have shorter lines than those just off the Main Street and around the concession stands. Generally the balloon pilots learn around 6:30am at the Pilot Briefing if there will be a weather delay or cancellation. We do recommend that people do plan ahead if they can! Im driving to the Park. The balloons are set up and do the burns to music. The weekdays are definitely usually less crowded, so are nice days for attending with kids. Happy travels, Jessica. Where can I find that info? Then you can return to your hotel and motorhome between sessions if you plan to attend both a morning and evening session. Thank you again! Thanks so much for sharing such useful, personal information. Hiking boots are nice and keep feet dry. However, we noticed lots of not well-prepared visitors who apparently thought Albuquerque was a year-round hot destination, dont be one of these people! Your email address will not be published. We never had a hard time finding one, although lines can be long at peak times. If this sounds appealing, read the earlier section on volunteering. The good thing is that I was able to see how the balloons were inflated. You will probably launch along with several other balloons and get to see the same things in terms of landscape/cityscape. Yes, the Opening Weekend is often the busiest days at the Balloon Fiesta. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is also a unique place for a hike and not too far away. In the UK, the Bristol Balloon Fiesta is the largest in Europe and I think second only to Albuquerque. There may be small differences but really as a visitor, you are unlikely to notice the difference between even 400 balloons and 500 balloons. But this may differ by parking area and year. Check out the uber and legendary tier lists for each set here, starting with Ultra Souls. But you dont need to leave at 3am or anything I dont think the parking area opens to visitors until 4am so that is the earliest youd want to be there. 7:00am Flight of Nations Mass Ascension It is a great place to spend some time in between events or before the beginning of the Balloon Fiesta to learn more about hot air ballooning. Unlike in previous years, there will be no in person tickets sold on the day at the parking areas. Really appreciate it. I dont know the answer to this question 100%. Her bday is 10/05 and thought it would be a great 50th! Like give a call ? But the Gondola Club gets you closer to the balloons. **, In prior years, typically the weekends of the Balloon Fiesta, the. Yes! But if you are driving, your vehicle is probably a more secure/quiet place to take a nap. We are only there for 2 days, so are missing seeing a mass ascension. Mass ascensions are generally the highlight for most people who attend the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, but they require getting up very early! Glad you found our Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Guide! If you plan to ride during Balloon Fiesta and you book to go on a mass ascension morning, be sure to know what happens if that flight is cancelled and you have to reschedule to a day there is no Balloon Fiesta event, do you get some of your money back? I cant tell whats additional and I want to make sure I purchase/plan accordingly. So although there will not be as many balloons, there are normally less visitors on those days and I am sure you will still enjoy it. October is a busy time in Albuquerque so in addition to making your travel plans well in advance, it is a good idea to think about what you want to do in the city before you arrive as all the main attractions and museums will be busier than usual, especially in the afternoons before and after Balloon Fiesta events. The Chasers Club tickets are already sold out I believe for all evening sessions at this years Fiesta so I dont think those are an option. They announce each of the balloons and have them light up and do synchronized all burns which are awesome to see. Thats what happen when youre only in a location for 6 months I guess! In 2009, we were on the West side of Albuquerque and had pre-purchased Park & Ride tickets for the shuttles leaving from the Cottonwood Mall. Parking is paid as you enter the park (cash only), and is first come, first serve. Companies include, For lower prices, consider booking a balloon flight before or after the Balloon Fiesta when prices return to the normal rates. If you want some photos from the 2015 Albuquerque Balloon fiesta, I have a collection that is free to download and use as you please. So as noted the mass ascensions are where the most hot air balloons are launched at once over a couple of hours in the mornings. Yes, the main tip for RV / camping is to just know what kind of RV spot you want and book it as soon as you know your dates. All three lanes of Paseo Del Norte were all funneling into 2nd Streets one (1) lane exit, blocking traffic for miles. Also, I read that Uber had a designated route in previous years, so they didnt have to be stuck in the same traffic. 2022 is an exciting year as it will be the 50th anniversary of the festival! Those tent camping only can get spots for $35. Basically, the official Morning Session ends at 10:00am and the Evening Session does not begin until 5:00pm. Opportunity Zones are economically distressed communities, defined by individual census tract, nominated by Americas governors, and certified by the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury via his delegation of that authority to the Internal Revenue Service. Please keep any cigarettes at home or in your car. For Sunday, both Morning and Afternoon? You do need to book those tickets online in advance as they stopped selling them on-site a couple of years ago. We usually search for and book hotels in Albuquerque on either, If you need to book more last minute and are not having luck finding anything, dont despair! Hey Jessica, We just got back from the 2021 Fiesta. If you are a fan of ballooning, this should definitely be on your list as it is the biggest hot air ballooning event in the world! Prices for the shuttle include your Balloon Fiesta Park admission and they drop you off close to the field. Shuttles to Balloon Fiesta Park leave from several locations in the city where you can park your vehicle (or walk) and take the shuttle into the park. However, any day can be great to launch from the field with the the other balloons. If you are traveling with a car, the best option for most visitors is to take the Park & Ride shuttle buses as these are easy, convenient, and include your admission into the park in the cost of the ticket. I expect both will sell out this year well in advance of the event, especially for the opening day, so I would purchase your tickets as soon as you decide. So for 2020, Id consider booking in October if you know when you want to visit. Hope that helps, and just let us know if you have further questions. From ubers to crazed and more, check out all their stats including range, damage, and abilities. 2:00pm Gas balloon begin to inflate (can see on field throughout afternoon/early evening) I couldnt find any info on-line for the Rail Runner Balloon Fiesta schedule. We used Marriott points, so I didnt think of that. Hi Jessica, wonderful blog! Hi Linda, I think that since you are pretty close to the park, you should be able to leave by 4:00 or even a bit later and still comfortably be inside the park between 4:45 and 5:00. Yes, you would definitely be fine if you plan to arrive at the fiesta parking around 4:30am. Prices may also differ by day (prices can be higher for the weekend flights) so Id check that as well when making your decision. I think either of those options should work fine, parking or taking the Park & Ride. Then they were stopped from launching as the clouds became worse and conditions became too dangerous. It is free to visit. So if you wanted to attend both the morning and evening activities, you would need 2 general admission tickets per person for that day. It would be awesome to drive from Los Angeles to attend. ? Well be staying in a hotel (close by), but will have our motorhome with us. I dont think tickets are for sale yet but they are normally available beginning in March or April. Learned some useful things that can help others (most are just repeating tips you already gave! The Albuquerque Balloon Museum is just south and adjacent to the launch field. Glampers have access to restroom and shower trailers, as well as an area with fire pit, grills, games, and lounge chairs. The event was cancelled after we arrived but then we stayed so not sure if that matters? The indoor area is pretty spacious (and protected from the weather) and the outdoor area has some good views over the field. **Disclosure: In 2009, I paid for all my tickets, parking, and food at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. That was such a wonderful experience, that I convinced Laurence that we needed to return in 2016. Based on your advice, we booked for Wed which a mass ascension day, is slightly cheaper than the other days, and still gives us a few days in case there is a weather related cancellation. Some of the more beloved ones that are often at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta include Creamlands Airabelle cow, Smokey the bear, the bees (there are 3 bee balloons I think), and the Wells Fargo huge stagecoach (a massive balloon at 128,000 cubic feet!). Photos are beautiful! If you come too late, you may not get a spot at all as the lots do sometimes fill completely. We can certainly handle an hour walk just fine but is that the best idea, is it safe to walk? I am very sorry to hear that you had such a negative experience when attending the Opening Session of the Balloon Fiesta. Tickets are per session and there are 2 sessions on most days (morning and evening). Yes, you have a good chance of seeing them from many spots all over the city as the majority of the balloons will leave from the Balloon Fiesta Park but land outside of it. You can also get tickets to some of the great events held at the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque Balloon Museum during the Balloon Fiesta which has a viewing gallery and balconies that looks onto the Launch Field and a dedicated parking lot. So really if you can look up for where you are, youll likely see them. Stay at a hotel within walking distance (or short taxi ride) of one of the event Park & Ride shuttles youll want to purchase the tickets in advance, 2.) Here are a few explained: If you come across other words or terms you are not familiar with, just ask someone! Just note that it will also likely be the busiest day of the event. Early is the key; we left where we were staying between 4:00am and 4:30am each morning and did not have any issues. Hope this helps and wishing you a wonderful time at the Balloon Fiesta! What about food & drink at the Balloon Fiesta? You can search for hotels or apartments within a short walk of the shopping centers. The 2020 festival was canceled due to the pandemic, so Id only probably make tentative plans at the moment for the 2021 festival just in case they need to change dates or cancel events closer to the event due to the pandemic. Know what you are buying and what happens in the event of a cancellation. Our Experience at the 2019 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 7:00am Mass ascension 2) Get up early to arrive at buses b y5am or bit afterward 3) Once on fields, use a small flashlight to walk around fields and find the balloon(s) in dark that the crew are starting to get ready to inflate. But since you are going to the Balloon Museum events, then driving yourself works well as I believe you will receive a parking pass with your tickets to park in the Museums parking. We planned well in advance of our trip down to the Balloon Fiesta Park by looking for the preferred session we wanted to see, Mass Ascension, checking on the weather, calm with winds at under 5 mph and no rain, looking for the easiest access to handicap parking, Alameda entrance passing right past the Museum, and finally giving ourselves plenty of time to get down to the park, 4:00am should do it Besides, there are several different types of events at the fiesta and there are lots of other fun things to do in Albuquerque and things to do in Santa Fe. I did want to ask a few more questions. Every year a few thousand volunteers are needed in addition to a small team of professional full-time staff to help with the event. 9:00am Classic Car Show (held on launch field between balloon launches) Yes, it is such a fun and beautiful event. Companies includeViator,Air Carriage LLC, APEX Balloons, andWorld Balloon. ~ Jessica. Taking place just before dusk, pilots inflate their hot air balloons and keep them tethered to the ground. But it depends on the weather and direction of the wind on any particular day of where they will go after launching. Related: Level-up User Rank True Form Special Abilities Talents Talent Orbs, Attributes: Traitless Red Floating Black Metal Angel Alien (Starred) Zombie Aku Relic Typeless Colossal Behemoth Witchcollab Eva Angelcollab. OMG!!! Can you go wander through the balloons in the morning with these tickets or are you required to stay in that section only. I especially love them on burritos (any kind), in green chili chicken stew, and on burgers. I mean fitting 886,307 people on 80 acres or 3.48 million square feet is like 3.9 square feet per person. You also always have the option to get off the field and move further from noises if he is having any issues with the noise, which is nice as you never feel trapped in one place. If we arrive in Albuquerque by 4:30am do you think we would be ok? This is out first time and my family and I had a wonderful time at the mass ascent this morning. We do not have in our package the tickets for the park. Then we arrive at our Albuquerque hotel appx. So just be aware and patient as places are going to be busier than usual. Youll want to follow the bike trail and set your end point at the Bike Valet. This event is way more fascinating than I thought. We met up with local blogger Leslie of. You may want to head off and walk along the Paseo del Bosque Trail which runs along the river and is a paved multi-use trail. But not so feasible for most people. If the event happens, you should be able to see the balloons as they are visible from many parts of Albuquerque. Thank you so much for the wealth of information! Thisiswhere hundreds of balloons all launch in thesame morning, generally over a 1.5 to 2 hour period. The park opens to visitors for the morning sessions at 4:30AM, so you dont want to arrive before then. You may also see or hear people talking about Balloon Cards which are paper cards that include a photo of each individual balloon, the name of the balloon, pilot, and information about the annual balloon fiesta. So those would be options and give you a place to sit and come back to throughout the morning. Jeans or any kind of practical pants should be fine. We attended as Media which meant that we got free admission, parking, and access to a Media Tent. This is the most comprehensive information I have ever read. Yes, the Park & Ride tickets are sold for a specific session (morning or evening) for a specific date. 6:00pm Special Shapes Night Glow When attending the late sessions, what are your recommendations as far as leaving the early sessions and attempting to park at the festival for the late sessions? The Balloon Discovery Center is aneducational center located on Main Street that offers guests the chance to learn about the sport of ballooning. Thank you for putting it all together, I found it it to be so helpful!! But yep with the upgrades you do get dedicated toilet facilities along with several other perks! The booking for on-site RV sites for the following year normally goes online just after the ending of the prior years event. I am truly excited to see whatever my vision will allow to take in this magnificent experience! Since we both work, thats really the only time we have to go! Thanks for sharing. Hotel shuttles normally have a small fee and require advanced booking. Best, Jessica. We have two dogs and stickers are a major concern. What are the Albuquerque Balloon Museum Balloon Fiesta Events? For general advice, Id just read the full article as that should give you all the information you need , I am glad to have found your blog. I cant seem to find that information now. If so, where is the best to check? Also glad that our article was helpful in planning your trip to the festival, we love hearing that our advice was helpful to others! ), Corrales, and Rio Rancho are also good bets as balloons often head that way. The The Battle Cats - Uber Super Rare (11.7 Updated) Tier List below is created by community voting and is the cumulative average rankings from 92 submitted tier lists. Each Cat category has a different method to unlock. See, Catfruit and Catfruit Seeds can be acquired from the. Now to figure out which of the RV lots will be the best to reserve! There are plenty of vendors selling all kinds of food and drinks with an emphasis on hamburgers, burritos, hot dogs, pizza, nachos, and donuts.There are also lots of hot drinks like coffee and hot chocolate available which are very welcome in the early morning. It includes your general admission tickets, a premium parking pass, a private golf cart and driver for the duration of the session, a visit to the main tents and the Balloon Museum, and a basket full of goodies to take back home. Sounds like you have your trip about sorted out now If you do go with Uber, just be sure to leave plenty of time. These events are mostly attended by balloon pilots and enthusiasts, but anyone is welcome to watch. But none of the hotels are super close so I would recommend just using the toilets at the Balloon Fiesta. Theyre only $10, but Im confused as to what all that entails. 7:30pm Skydiving performance Balloons will only go up when weather conditions are safe to do so, and those carrying customers are going to obviously need to be cautious. The closest to the field are the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Albuquerque-N. The pictures are also very beautiful. Another popular favorite event is the Special Shapes Rodeo and balloonists generally attend the Flying Competition events where balloon pilots test their flying skills against other pilots. What happens if we decide to do the Park & Ride shuttle bus tix? Rainbow Ryders is the only hot air balloon company that is permitted to take guests and launch during a mass ascension from the Balloon Fiesta Park. I think I might go for the upgrade! Stats from the normal level and (+) level upgrades also stack normally. Is it possible/advisable to attend the morning and evening session on the same day? So much of what we have read about the event has been expository, we really have appreciated your article because it was personal (and filled with good tips!). I would suspect that such plants are adjacent to the RV parking spaces rather than on them as we didnt notice much grass on the RV sites themselves at all when we were last there. But they will not require you to leave, but the majority of people do leave after the morning session and come back later for the evening sessions. We had fun watching them fly over and land one morning in the Corrales and Rio Rancho area where we were staying which is a preferred area for many balloonists as there are fewer people and more landing spots, but even that day some of the balloons went in the complete opposite direction. When trying to hit all 50 states with my boyfriend and NM being driving distance from Dallas, I found this as a suggested thing to do a few months ago and didnt think much of it. My husband actually watch the TX A&M game on his phone & I read a book. Generally, with the admission tickets and upgraded experience tickets, you can not get a refund. Current prices for RV spots range from $40 to $250 per night for spots. Oh, and if either of you have difficulty standing for long periods, Id bring along a couple of collapsable chairs, cushions, or a blanket to the field so you can find a place to sit when you need it. This post is so, very informative. You can check the program for what is happening on each weekend but normally the events are the same. Luckily, the weather cleared and the balloonists soon started filling their balloons and getting ready. I planned to leave early Your tips & ideas are great and I will follow them. It is both practical as well as a tradition. 5) Before sun comes up, increase ISO to 800 or more to give u enough light. My 10,000 questions were answered in your post. Would we still need to get there at 4:30am? If you are unsure whether to book a balloon flight during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta or before it, Id call Rainbow Ryders and chat with them to find out the exact price differences and details. FB Marketplace, Craigslist, etc? When is the 2022 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta? The pro however is that it much less expensive to go on a flight (usually 50% less or more) outside of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Thanks! The Dawn Patrol usually starts at 6:00am. Thank you for such wonderful information! Less to carry around, or worry about between your legs when shooting. So if only going for one day and want to see the most hot air balloons, then a mass ascension is good to try to catch. We are planning to be at the park by 5:30 am. It is therefore important to keep hold of all your tickets in case an event is canceled. Hi Jamie, We have attended the Balloon Fiesta multiple times, both as regular visitors and as media. Thank you so much for the information in this post. They are just stunning and anyone who didnt have plans to see a balloon festival will surely want to now. Balloon Fiesta Souvenirs, Pins, & Balloon Trading Cards? The higher the grade, the more powerful the Orb's effect will be. It is really hard to predict where the balloons will go as they will go in the direction of the wind which obviously changes. Ahh, so much to think about . Although if you only plan to use the Club area for 30 minutes or so, it is probably not worth the extra money for the tickets. Thanks, weve never actually gone up in the balloons yet, but it sounds like you had a lot of fun. If we go to both morning and evening sessions and use the park and ride, do we have to pay for park and ride per sessions even if we dont leave and our car stays put the whole time? Yes, weve been to the balloon fiesta a few times now and have been updating this article for several years. Tickets can be purchased in advance online, by phone (1-855-725-1824), in person at the Balloon Fiesta Gift Shop, or in person at the entrance to the park. So glad you enjoyed our ABQ Balloon Fiesta guide. This large tent is an educational tent that includes information on hot air ballooning as well as a number of other related things. Because of that, there is no particular location I would recommend if you plan to explore on foot, just anywhere along the Rio Grande that allows public access that is north of I-40 and west of 1-25. Do folks ever give up/sell their Chaser or Gondola tickets as the event gets closer? The best place for information about the event is to check out the very comprehensive Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta official website, which provides the full schedule, allows you to purchase tickets in advance, gives information on how to get there, sells Balloon Merchandise, etc. Just something to consider if you are in Albuquerque for a few days. 3) Bring a polarizer to use, if sky is bright, and blue. There is also a number of business and sponsor tents, many offering free goodies and games. I know, I spent a year in Albuquerque and still never got to half the places I thought I would! Will I be able to tow/park my camping trailer to the parking lot at Balloon Fiesta Park or the shuttle parking lots? Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. I attended the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta last year, 2015, for the first time. If any of this is a duplicate comment, I apologize. Your closest Park & Ride would be the Hoffmantown Church parking lot. You can pay to ride in a hot air balloon during the Balloon Fiesta. We were very lucky as we were with local fellow blogger Leslie who knows the area very well and she knew some great spots once we figured out where the balloons were headed. Id also recommend having a flashlight or torch with you and wearing a reflective vest for safety as it will likely be dark when setting out (morning session) or coming home (night session) and there will be increased traffic due to the fiesta. As far as I am aware, they never sell out. The underbanked represented 14% of U.S. households, or 18. It is probably best to stop along the way for a night to make it a more pleasant experience; we stopped overnight in Amarillo. I saw you mentioned one park and ride ticket is only valid per session. The morning sessions usually end by around 10:00am and usually there is not much going on between the morning and evening sessions at the field, so you will probably want to leave and return. So this generally means helping to unpack the balloon on the field and holding it while it inflates, and then later riding in the truck along with the rest of the crew for the pilot you are assigned to, going to wherever the balloon lands, and helping move, pack up, and transport the balloon onto a truck so it can be taken back to the field. If not, you will want to contact the festival staff directly. But youll also get great views of the balloons launching and going into the air from the ground. Thanks for sharing! There is normally a music concert during the fiesta which is ticketed separately (buy a ticket in advance online if you want to attend) and sometimes there are smaller entertainment happening in the afternoon as well that are free. The park is located west of I-25, approximately 12 miles north of the Albuquerque InternationalSunportairport, 7 miles north of downtown Albuquerque, and 5 miles east of Rio Rancho. However, as the event begins and the balloons take off, you should have a better idea of which direction they are going at that point and can move if needed. There are also normally fireworks or light shows as well that can be better captured using a monopod or tripod. They have lost a patron for life! Below is how the Balloon Fiesta handled the 2202 event cancelation to give you an idea of what to suspect IF the 2022 event was canceled or postponed. This is about a 15 minute walk to the park entrance. You can see the different amenities offered and compare them on what is most important to you. If you have any questions as you plan your trip, just let us know and we are happy to try to help! Of course you never know for sure where theyll go or if youll get any good photos. In our experience, they often head towards and land over in the Rio Rancho and Corrales areas. Am I wise to bring ear protection ear muffs for my grandson?. Yes, you can still find accommodation last minute but you will pay a lot more. Click here to see our current giveaway and enter! 8:00am Chainsaw carving (throughout morning until noon), 6:00am Dawn Patrol When I lived there, we knew people who gave away/sold tickets to people locally. Just wondering on chances for parking at the event on Sunday morning? They often have special meals and other events here during the Balloon events. Each October, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is held in Albuquerque, New Mexico and hundreds of balloonists and thousands of tourists from around the world flock to the Land of Enchantment for a chance to Id definitely be sure to hide/secure any valuables. We were invited to hang out with the crew that afternoon for some tailgating and food in the park but we decided to go as we had to meet a friend, but if you get invited do stay as balloonists know how to celebrate! If you don't see the confirmation e-mail, please check your spam folder. Thank you! Never a good thing for a 2 yo even on his best days and behavior. As noted above, arrive as early as possible if you plan to drive. You can also consider options just outside Albuquerque. If the above prices are out of your budget, but you really want to ride in a hot air balloon during Balloon Fiesta, consider booking with another hot air balloon company during the Balloon Fiesta. News on Japan, Business News, Opinion, Sports, Entertainment and More Nearby you can enjoy the beautiful art and old architecture with a wander around Santa Fe (you can drive [perhaps take the scenic Turquoise Trail] or take the convenient train from Albuquerque). In addition to the traditional and most common inverted teardrop shape balloons, there are numerous special shaped balloons. Many thx!! So if you plan to take the shuttles, you will likely need to have booked these before you attend the Balloon Fiesta. The house was build around 1912 and later become a popular boarding house, even Elvis Presley slept here. There are a few benches and picnic tables on and along the field but these are often occupied. We had a great time yet again! The volunteering guidelines change a little each year so do check before registering. I am assuming we would need to be there at the same time to avoid traffic? Since the meals and event at the museum take place regardless of what happens with the balloons, I suspect the cancelation policy is pretty strict and is not related to weather (unless of course the museum event would be canceled itself for some reason). A music concert held at the Balloon Fiesta Park that typically features rock and/or country music performers. Balloons will be going in all directions, as they go where the wind blows. The event has been canceled for 2020, but will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2021 Best, Jessica, Hi Travelcats/Jessica, Photo tips: 1) Be sure you gave lots of space on memory cards & be sure to charge camera battery night before 2) Bring backup camera, and 1-2 extra batteries. :). There are several different types of events of interest (Special Shapes Rodeo, Americas Challenge, Glow Balloons, etc. TheGondola Clubincludes the same perks as the Chasers Club (e.g., dedicated viewing area, seating, hot meals) as well as additional ones. For example, if you upgrade Cat to Level 2, 3, etc., each time the level is increased, it gains more attack power and health. It will limit the tickets sold but it should be a better experience for all those planning to use the shuttles. She lives near Arboleda Senda NE area. A late-comer friend of ours is joining us but she cannot get a ticket for with the Chasers or Gondola events which the rest of us already have tickets for given they are sold out. Also for handicap parking do you need to let them know ahead of time? I think both the Museum and the Gondola Club can be good venues for a Night Glow event if you want to pay for a nicer experience. Jessica. So they may not honor your return ticket if it is for a different session; that is something you would need to ask the Balloon Fiesta staff. We would also have Wednesday as an option but were thinking of making a day of it and seeing the night glow which would only be available to us on Sunday. As noted, you have a lot of options from classic, Hotels near the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park, Hotels near the Albuquerque Park & Ride Locations. Hi Antoinette, Glad you enjoyed our article. Thank you for such a comprehensive article! Going up in a hot air balloon for the first time is definitely magical and glad you enjoyed your flight with Rainbow Ryders. Any thoughts or advice? Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address Many people, especially locals who have already been to the Balloon Fiesta, will avoid the crowds at the Park and just head to a spot in the city (or just sit in their backyard) where they can comfortably watch them and hopefully see a few land as well. So on Tuesday this year there is a regular Balloon Launch scheduled. 6:30am Morning Glow You choose the lot, but it is rally style parking and you are guided to a specific space when you arrive so you dont get a lot of choice in where you are parked within the lot. My son is so excited to see the balloon festival (he only sees it in Youtube and hes a big fan). Youll want to make sure the walking path you set will take you to the entrance of the event. Should we even attempt to park on site in the afternoon or should we look for alternative public transportation? Just check the weather forecast for each day before you head out, but layers are always a good idea. The pics look lovely! Will I need to bring a tripod? People often underestimate the amount of time it will take to get to and into the Park. Tickets for the 2022 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta are scheduled to go on sale on April 1, 2022. The actual number who participate each day depends on which pilots who signed up to go that morning and also sometimes the weather. Yes, having an RV at the Fiesta Parks makes it very convenient! You can also book a Uber, Lyft, or taxi ride but be aware that they will be stuck in the same traffic as you would be so book in advance and head out early! In the past, you could use the tickets on whichever day, but certainly you can use it to come the next day. So I would think they would allow you to use your return ticket to go back to the lot that evening after the Evening Session ends (but I would double check that). Hope this helps a little. Given your hotel location, either would work, and the Park & Ride is running on both of those days for the morning and evening sessions. Base Upgrades: Cat Cannon Worker Cat Research Accounting Study Energy Just note that there are of course going to be a lot more people than normal in Albuquerque and lots of tourists looking to do many of the same things. I can imagine when hundreds of balloons ignite their burners it can be quite loud, Second question: is there a good and reliable rail and ride or park and ride option from Santa Fe recognizing this has us getting up and to location literally in the middle of the night to make the hour plus trek to Albuquerque to experience the morning launch. I have booked a hotel near one of the Park & ride locations. So if you want to see a Night Glow, you will need to go to the field. There are several wineries in Corrales and surrounds that do public tastings, so that may be a thing to consider doing after your balloon watching adventures! The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is definitely not expensive in terms of entrance fees/parking, it is just paying the travel costs which are higher at that time throughout the city. Smoking is not allowed in the Park during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Normally held on a weekend afternoon in between the Morning Session and Evening Session. 5:00pm Skydiving performance Anywhere near the park with a room facing the direction of the Balloon Fiesta Park would be a good location. If you are planning to bring a lot of stuff with you, note that many people spend a lot of their time walking around the launch field to see the different balloons and then walking along Main Street where all the vendors are located. We are staying at an apartment about 2.4 miles from the park. If you are all very tired after traveling, especially the kids, you may not enjoy the event as much. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter. We are combing from Santa Fe and are willing to make the sacrifice to be there early to get a parking space. They decided not to offer it in 2018 (announcing it only 1 month before the event) and I have not heard anything specific yet for 2019. So a hill in that area, the northern section of the Bosque trail, or a spot near the Rio Grande river over in that direction can be a nice place to watch as they often float over the river. Appreciate it! In big red letters, it does say that no shuttles run on mon, tues, wed. Unlike in previous years, there will be no in person tickets sold on the day at the parking areas. If you want to go, start planning and booking early! Another good thing about the regular balloon launches during the week is that they are typically less crowded than the weekends. Note that in some cases, pilots may be told they can launch at their own discretion and some will decide to go and others will not. Each tent can hold up to 4 persons. On the other days, there are still balloons going up each morning, just not nearly as many. Dont come all this way to be disappointed by weather cancellations. We took our lawn chairs to the evening events. If youve never had them, try them! A lunch recommendation if looking for New Mexican food is Sadies which is a classic casual New Mexican restaurant that been around since the 50s and is located just off 1-25 (there are 3 locations, 2 are not far from the Fiesta Park, the closest location is about a 10 minute drive from the Park). The evening balloon glows and fireworks also are weather-dependent but have fewer restrictions. All those wanting to attend the music concert at the Balloon Fiesta will need those specific tickets. But be sure to take a look at the rain check policy for any tickets you buy. So the only company that goes up within the park and takes passengers is the Rainbow Ryders balloons and they usually have several that go up at both sunrise and sunset. We are going to the Fiesta this year and I really wish I had read your blog before we began making plans. Even if you dont have a good view from your hotel, you can drive to a nearby parking area and just bring folding chairs to sit and watch. 7:00am Mass ascension I hear there is music during the day also. We will be visiting during part of the festival to care for my 88 y o mother. You are better off driving or taking a Park & Ride shuttle. It is a different atmosphere and experience than the morning launch events. 8:00am Chainsaw carving (throughout morning), 6:00am Dawn Patrol But just be sure to arrive as early as you can as weekends are the busiest days of the event. 7:00am Mass ascension The (+) Upgrade level allows you to reach the True Forms of. They definitely honored tickets last year for canceled sessions, I am wondering if they are not counting it as a canceled session since some balloons did go up? Parking tickets and special events tickets cannot be reused. We usually stay at one of the Residence Inns, so it is sometimes possible to visit during that time without planning ahead. These pins include official event pins, commemorative pins, special events pins, individual balloon pins, race pins, etc. Come and visit our site, already thousands of classified ads await you What are you waiting for? You can find out more and sign up to volunteer online. The only thing it does not cover is the Music Fiesta or special separately ticketed events. If we ride the balloon on the day of instead with all the other balloons, approximately how many balloons would we see in the air since the flight is so short (~45 mins)? The shuttles pull in as close as possible for drop-in and drop-off. It is good to book your hotels well in advance for the balloon fiesta as this is definitely the busiest time of year in Albuquerque and it is also a busy week for Santa Fe as well. Thanks for sharing your experience and tips here! The buses from the parking lots to the event will have a booked capacity but the return buses will run more often back to the lots to accommodate people leaving at different times. I love your reviews because you give the level of detail we all need to know like about the bathroom situation. Thank you for this post about the Albuquerque Balloon Festival! You can call the museum to see if they have prices set yet so you know the cost. I have looked at the volunteer link on the Fest website, but any insider info you can provide on RV camping and volunteer jobs would be appreciated. Wishing you a wonderful Fiesta! Bring your camera, extra batteries or charger, and lots of memory cards or film. I know what the cost will be for the Gondola Club but cant find a price for the VIP museum tickets, didnt know if it was more or less. So even though it is not a mass ascension, there will still be plenty of other balloons up in the sky with you. If they get enough, it will be a Guinness World record! Depending on where you are staying in Albuquerque, wed recommend leaving between 4:00am and 4:30am on mass ascension mornings. In fact, the entire state of New Mexico is worth a visit as there are so many great attractions and landscapes throughout the state. During this time you can wander around the field taking photos and watching the balloons go up. Generally, with the admission tickets and upgraded experience tickets, you can not get a refund. I would contact the Fiesta RV folks directly about this, and anyone wishing to buy one should definitely check to see if this is permitted. There is just not a lot of extra room for storage on the buses. No one bothered our stuff if we happened to get up and walk around. So glad you are finding our ABQ Balloon Fiesta guide useful! You should be fine with leaving by 4:30 to get to the park on time. Yes, it is possible to buy them elsewhere from someone and since they are not refundable, some people would like want to sell their tickets if they can no longer use them. Did you see many people seated or bring in camp chairs? Hotel Andaluz is a modern hotel with New Mexican and Mexican influenced decor. Your friend in Santa Fe may have some tips as we have only stayed in ABQ when attending. If you dont have your own bike, there are several bike rental shops and bike share programs in Albuquerque. But youll definitely get good views of the other balloons from inside the balloon. Hold various effect icons to see detailed explanation of that effect. Those who have a checking or savings account, but also use financial alternatives like check cashing services are considered underbanked. Thx Jessica for your very helpful reply and suggestions! Yes, I definitely can recommend doing a morning session and evening session in the same day, especially if you are having good weather conditions! Get NCAA football news, scores, stats, standings & more for your favorite teams and players -- plus watch highlights and live games! Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is definitely the ultimate one though An amazing place for photographers! Are there a lot more balloons launched during the Mass Ascension mornings? Once you know when you are coming for Balloon Fiesta, I would then head to the Visit Albuquerque website to help plan the rest of your time in the city. I used to see them floating alongon my way to work when I lived in Albuquerque. Latest breaking news, including politics, crime and celebrity. Glad you are finding our Albuquerque posts helpful in planning your visit to the Balloon Fiesta! 8:00pm Fireworks Show. Not sure if I can announce here, but, we have an RV space for rent in the new VIP North Lot, adjacent to the launch field, with or without an RV. Parking Tips for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Download and listen to new, exclusive, electronic dance music and house tracks. Every year traffic is bad, but last year the Park & Ride shuttles also got really stuck at in traffic as well and were not able to accommodate all the people who wanted to use them. So Id book for the very first weekend for the best chance. Just note that sometimes the wind changes direction during the event as well . Thanks for sharing so much about your own experience and some tips you have for others, I am sure they will help future readers. My husband and I have booked our hotel (and car) and thought we had chosen the correct day to go. But if you want or need to sit down, you certainly can, Id just set up somewhere a bit away. 8:00am Competition Flying events take place on field throughout morning Then once dark, the pilots will periodically ignite their propane burners so that the balloons light up and glow. Note that it looks like many of the times and dates for the Park and Ride shuttles are likely to sell out in advance. Just note that there are not many hotels or motels that are an easy walk away from the Balloon Fiesta field. But generally youll probably end up with about 5 to 6 hours to kill between sessions. Heres how new water cannons could help fight wildfires year-round So there are definitely pros and cons. Bringing something for them to lie on sounds like a good idea and you may want to get protective paw booties for your dog to protect their paws when walking. Note that you need to book Park & Ride shuttles in advance if you plan to use the shuttles. Note that your admission costs are already included if you ride the Park & Ride shuttle bus. (125 2nd Street NW) This 4-star luxury hotel is located just off Central Avenue and occupies the historic 1939 building that was originally built as the Hilton Hotel. Hi BDP Glad our article was helpful and just let us know if you have any questions about planning your trip to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. They have to take all their clothing, food, fuel, and gear with them on their flight. Plus, watch live games, clips and highlights for your favorite teams! This is mainly for safety reasons as a lit cigarette can ignite the balloons propane tanks and stray ashes can burn or melt the balloon envelopes! Watch breaking news videos, viral videos and original video clips on CNN.com. We will be flying in to ABQ very late Friday night and plan to go the Mass Ascension opening day. Once it gets dark, the burners are lit to make the balloons light up after sunset. was wondering if you could reccomend a hotel to stay at that we could see these balloons from? Note that on that last Sunday, there is only a Morning Session as there are no afternoon or evening events, so you would only need tickets for the Morning Session. As general guidelines, closer to the park the better the view and you will want to choose a hotel or viewing spot east of Interstate 25 and north of Paseo del Norte. See, The normal level cap when you initially start the game is Level 10. You dont choose a specific crew or balloon, but you would be instead assigned by the volunteer committee to a pilot each day. In terms of the view from a hot air balloon from the field, since you cant control when you launch and how your balloon travels, it really depends. I see Tuesdays are slow days for the festival but are there still alot of balloons that take off for mass ascension that morning? ~ Jessica. Stay up to date on the latest NBA news, scores, stats, standings & more. We depart late Tuesday afternoon. Please note that the Chasers Club and Gondola Clubs are in completely separate areas of the field so you would want to all have tickets to the same seating area or youll still be separated. Many of the balloons headed this way will land in parks, fields, and parking lots in this area. Im so glad & thankful for your post. Hi Mark, Glad you found it helpful. 5 Seeds of a given color can be exchanged for a full Catfruit of the same color. However, this was not the case during our visit in 2018. Normal rates are about $149 per person the rest of the year, but rates last year during the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta were about $429/person for a group ride and up to $750/person for a private ride with less than 4 persons. So be sure to ask your hotel just in case they do. were in the queue waiting for the crawl of shuttle buses to come and go. Here are my questions: You have hundreds of options, but well provide some guidance and recommendations. Generally, you need to agree to work for at least 4 sessions to be eligible and then you get free entry into the event each day as well as some free meals and other goodies. People have been way too harsh on her on release. Ive not seen scalpers with tickets at the event before. The main one is this 5 day tour which includes 3 days in Albuquerque during the Balloon Fiesta and a day in Santa Fe. New Mexico has a lot of prickly plants! You can purchase them for morning and afternoon sessions. They only open them to at 4:00am. The fireworks will start soon after the night glow ends. These typically (weather permitting) take place on the weekend mornings and one day during the week (normally Wednesdays). No, you cant really see the Night Glow events and fireworks from outside of the Balloon Fiesta Park. Dogs are allowed on the RV site if kept on a leash, but are not allowed on the Balloon Fiesta Field. This may change by the 2020 Balloon Fiesta event but here is the general info as far as I know from this past years event. In 2016 and 2018, we had a regular parking pass given to us as Media and we could not use it for Park & Ride so we drove ourselves and ended up just making sure to try to be at the parking lots by around 5:00am each morning. Yes, I love at these events that you can walk up to the balloons and see them being set up and inflated and talk to members of the crew. But you can certainly buy them in advance! For the ABQ Chase Crew volunteering, you would need to do a brief training and then youd be responsible for helping the pilot in whatever way they need on the field and then afterward once the balloon lands. In 2022, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is scheduled to be held from October 1, 2022 to October 9, 2022. If you are looking for a dedicated place to sit and also want access to drinks, snacks, and toilets, it can be a good option. Do you know when that would be? But I heard that they dont count with this route this year. Just note that these are priced per session and there are no refunds if the event is cancelled due to weather. There are vendors selling hot drinks and warm food and there are a few tents (little shops, kiosks, information tents) along main street that you go inside if its windy. Thanks again Michelle. We also thought about a small VRBO. If your flight is cancelled, you need to know if you will receive a full or partial refund or do you get a rain check voucher and option to go on another flight (if so, when?)? Ive allllways wanted to go to a festival, but have yet to make it to one! You get to walk around the field and get right next to the balloons, see them being filled and fired, and watch as they take off. The balloons during mass ascensions launch in waves, typically two, so different balloons will be in various states of being unpacked, inflated, and launched for about 2 hours. We are heading back ourselves this year! Now that she mentioned it, Ill be wondering that too. The sunset was incredible & they had a live band playing. This is where a number of balloons will line up and use their propane burners to light up in the morning before sunrise while still tethered to the ground. Yes, the balloons do launch every day, depending on weather conditions of course. In terms of the balloon flight doing it before the Balloon Fiesta starts would be a lot like doing it any other time of the year. Getting ready to book travel and hotel for October 2014. But another reader (Jeff, who is planning to stay in a RV with dogs) noted that you probably meant stickers as in weeds. But the convenience of being able to walk (or take a free shuttle) to the field is really nice rather than battling traffic is worth it for many. I would definitely get info about what happens if your flight isnt able to take off that morning as scheduled and have a back-up plan for that situation. But I guess it depends on your moms feelings and ability to stand/walk for prolonged periods of time you can bring in a folding chair as well or rent a wheelchair/scooter if needed. How much of this space is paved for wheelchairs? During the evening sessions, the concession stands and vendors are open as well so you can also eat and shop for souvenirs and there are sometimes other things happening as well. The Balloon Fiesta Park is located in northern Albuquerque. Since then I have purchased other hot air balloon related jewelry here and there. 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