The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of those events that doesn’t just live up to expectations—it blows past them.
I’ve seen a lot of incredible landscapes while traveling, but watching hundreds of hot air balloons lift into the sky at sunrise is something else entirely. It’s peaceful, surreal, and a little bit unbelievable.
But here’s what most people don’t realize…
You don’t have to pay top dollar to get the full experience.
We skipped the expensive Fiesta balloon rides and did a pre-Fiesta flight instead—for about a third of the cost. And it was every bit as magical.
The Best Way to Experience the Balloon Fiesta
The Fiesta is packed with events from morning to night, but here’s what stood out the most.
How to Actually Experience the Balloon Fiesta
1. The Best Balloon Ride Isn’t at the Fiesta
Most people assume that to fly during the Fiesta, you have to book one of the official (and insanely expensive) balloon rides. We skipped that and went for a pre-Fiesta flight instead.
For about a third of the price, we still got the full experience—floating above the desert, watching the sun rise, and taking in the view from 1,000+ feet up. We flew with
Rainbow Ryders, who I highly recommend. Oh, and plan ahead of time! We got our tickets in January for the October event.
The difference between the pre-flight and the main flight? Instead of the full 500+ balloon ascension, we were in the air with about 15-20 other balloons. Still magical. Still surreal. And way easier on the wallet. Plus, WAY less crowded!
And yes, we still got the champagne toast at the end, which might be my favorite part of ballooning history.
Fun Fact: In the 1700s, people thought hot air balloons were some kind of witchcraft or monsters falling from the sky, so farmers would attack them with pitchforks. Pilots started carrying bottles of champagne as a peace offering, and the tradition stuck.
Landing in a Neighborhood and Toasting in the Street
After floating over Albuquerque, we finally touched down—
not in an open field, but right at the end of a quiet neighborhood street. We landed on a small road at the end of a few driveways, where locals were already outside, coffee in hand, watching the balloons descend like it was just another Saturday morning.
They waved, snapped photos, and casually told us, “Oh yeah, this happens all the time.” Imagine waking up, stepping onto your driveway in a robe, and seeing a hot air balloon land at the end of your street?! Just another day in Albuquerque.
As soon as we touched down, our pilot popped the champagne, and we toasted to an incredible flight, standing right there in the middle of the road. Honestly, I think more things in life should end with a champagne toast.
2. You Can Still Watch the Mass Ascension… From a Cracker Barrel Parking Lot
The official mass ascension (when hundreds of balloons take off at once) is the Fiesta’s main event, and I hear it’s worth seeing at least once from inside the festival. But on the first morning, we watched it from an unexpected spot—a Cracker Barrel parking lot from the Airstream!
And honestly? It was perfect.
Balloons filled the sky right over us, we had a front-row seat without the crowds, and we sipped coffee from actual mugs instead of trying to balance it while standing in a field.
You don’t always have to be in the middle of everything to get the best view. Sometimes, it’s better just outside the chaos.
3. The Hot Air Balloon Museum is 100% Worth Your Time
I didn’t expect to love this, but the
Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum was a surprise favorite. It’s packed with history, rare ballooning artifacts, and interactive exhibits.
A few things that stuck with me:
The first passengers in a hot air balloon were a rooster, a duck, and a sheep. This flight happened on September 19, 1783, in France. King Louis XVI didn’t want humans to test the balloon in case it failed, so they sent up animals instead. The balloon successfully flew for about 8 minutes and landed safely, proving that living beings could survive the journey.
The first recorded manned hot air balloon flight took place on November 21, 1783. Two Frenchmen, Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes, flew over Paris for about 25 minutes in a balloon designed by the Montgolfier brothers.
The world’s highest hot air balloon flight reached 69,852 feet (21.3 km) above Earth. This record was set by Vijaypat Singhania in 2005.
It’s also a great midday break when the sun is high, and you need some air conditioning.
The Balloon Glow: A Nighttime Spectacle
Even though we didn’t stay for the
Balloon Glow, it’s one of the Fiesta’s most famous events. At night, the balloons stay grounded, but pilots ignite their burners in unison, lighting up the sky with a flickering glow. I hear the effect is
mesmerizing, with hundreds of balloons illuminating at once against the dark sky. Learn more from
New Mexico Magazine (the following photo is from them too!)
The event is set to music, and many pilots coordinate their burner blasts to create a glowing, rhythmic display. It’s followed by a fireworks show, making it a full evening experience.
Things to know if you go:
Arrive early to grab a good spot—there will be crowds.
Dress in layers—evenings in Albuquerque can get chilly.
Expect traffic delays after the event, especially if you’re driving out of the main parking areas.
Fireworks happen immediately after the Glow, so plan to stay for the full experience!
If I go back, this will definitely be on my list!
Bonus: Take the Sandia Peak Tramway
Since we were already in Albuquerque, we took the
Sandia Peak Tramway to the top of the Sandia Mountains, and it ended up being one of the best side trips of the trip.
The tramway is the longest aerial tram in North America, stretching 2.7 miles from the base to the peak. The ride itself is worth it—the tram glides over deep canyons and rugged cliffs, giving you an uninterrupted view of the Rio Grande Valley, Albuquerque, and beyond. On a clear day, you can see over 11,000 square miles, which is wild to think about.
Once at the top (10,378 feet above sea level), the temperature dropped, the air thinned, and the views got even better. We could see the city spread out below us, with the sunset casting an unreal glow over the desert landscape.
Then, just when we thought we’d taken in everything, we got to watch a
hang glider launch off the peak. Seeing someone literally run off the edge of a mountain and catch the wind was both terrifying and incredible.
Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?
Of course! 100% absolutely.
Standing under hundreds of hot air balloons at sunrise, sipping champagne after a flight, and seeing the sky turn into a moving painting? It’s worth every early morning, every layer of clothing, and even the Cracker Barrel parking lot coffee.
And if you get the chance—skip the pricey Fiesta flights and book a pre-Fiesta ride instead. You’ll thank me later.
