Albuquerque, New Mexico Balloon Fiesta
(Updated for 2021)
Would you like to avoid crowds at the Balloon Fiesta, avoid standing in line, and wasting time and money on vacation?
I mentioned in our Southwest USA itinerary post that the Balloon Fiesta was the center point of our trip.
As Fiesta newbies, we did a few things wrong (hello, Chaser’s Club – a huge waste of money), and some things right.
Here are 8 (opinionated) tips for having the best Balloon Fiesta experience, while avoiding crowds.
Tip #1: Go by shuttle – avoid traffic
Hand’s down the best decision we made.
There are three shuttle spots dotted around the city.
- Cottonwood Mall (10000 Coors Bypass NW)
- Coronado Center (6600 Menaul Blvd NE)
- Hoffmantown Church (8888 Harper Road NE)
Buy a ticket ahead. The Park & Ride tickets include transportation to and from the Balloon Fiesta Park and admission into the event.
Park your car and hop on the bus – it will speed you across town and drop you off at the entrance. The shuttle buses have a special route to the fiesta. This is the fasted way to get to the park.
No stress.
When it was time to leave our hearts sank at the line to get back on the bus.
We thought, “Maybe this was not such a good idea.”
A quick 15-minutes later, we were comfortably seated and heading back to our car.
The Balloon Fiesta shuttle system is the most well-oiled, organized operation ever!
Governments and amusement parks should watch and learn.
I can’t stress enough how stress-free this shuttle service is.
Tip #2: Where to stay to avoid crowds
Because you will be taking a shuttle (see Tip #1) to the balloon grounds you have flexibility on where you stay.
By coordinating your choice of hotel with a shuttle pick-up, you can avoid traffic, get a cheaper rate, and stay where you want.
Again, here are the shuttle locations:
- Cottonwood Mall (10000 Coors Bypass NW)
- Coronado Center (6600 Menaul Blvd NE)
- Hoffmantown Church (8888 Harper Road NE)
Tip #3: When to go to avoid crowds
First thing.
It’s worth the pain to arrive at the shuttle pick-up as soon as it opens at 4:30 a.m.
By arriving early, you will avoid the majority of the crowd – and experience the action as it unfolds. Literally.
About the time the stragglers and sleep-iners arrive, you will be on the other side of the field, comfortably taking in the view.
The morning session and evening session are two different events, requiring separate ticket purchases.
The morning is the heart of the Fiesta. Focus your time and money there.
Why not the evening?
We bought tickets for the Evening Glow, with the addition of the Chaser’s Club.
This was a waste of time and money.
First, if there is the slightest wind, they will not inflate the balloons.
The night we went, the wind was at 9mph. – barely a breeze – and they couldn’t inflate the balloons; that’s how delicate the operation is.
But we had those Chaser’s Club tickets, so we were privileged to be in a fenced-off area with plastic tables and chairs to sit at.
And dinner – a cafeteria quality burrito bar and lemonade.
Instead of balloons, the organizers entertained us by having the pilots fire their burners, shooting flames into the air.
A valiant effort, but a little pale compared to the expectation that we would see 100’s of balloons glowing in the field.
The total cost for this under-whelming night was nearly $100.
The Fiesta organizers won’t like this, but unless you love shopping at trinket booths and eating deep-fried concession-style food, skip the evening programs.
Tip #4: Prepare for the temperature
It is cold in the morning.
I’m not a cold person, if you read the blog, you know I strongly dislike hot weather.
But we were FREEZING in our light spring jackets.
Fortunately, the balloon burners throw off a ton of heat, and we ran from one balloon to the next like hikers to a campfire.
Dress warmly.
But dress in layers, because when the southwestern sun comes up you will go from parka to tank top in no time.
What to take?
Many people bring blankets, chairs, and other comforts of home… imagine going to a fireworks display.
If you cannot stand and walk for a few hours, then definitely bring something to sit on. There is limited seating around the edge of the field.
However, my suggestion is to take as little as possible.
A camera and a backpack to stash your layers of clothing and a bottle of water should do it.
The less you have to schlep around, the more you can move in and out of the balloons.
Tip #5: Eat the burrito
Our hotel promised an early breakfast buffet, but the server slept in.
And honestly, who wants solid food at 4 a.m. anyway?
I’m so glad it worked out that way because we didn’t know what an institution the breakfast burrito is.
As goofy as this sounds, our experience would not have been the same without a Fiesta breakfast burrito.
About a dozen booths are selling the same thing for the same price. We picked a popular-looking booth and got in line.
We met a friendly local family and were able to chat them up.
They were charming when we asked the question that makes New Mexicans inwardly groan…
“Is the red sauce or the green sauce hotter?”
Don’t ask that. The answer is, “Yes.”
It depends on complicated environmental factors of each plant, and no one knows until you bite into it.
So be brave and pick a color, or go “Christmas,” which is both red and green sauce.
These burritos were delicious, hot, and comforting.
Tip #6: What to do when you get there
By arriving first thing, you will be there as the crews arrive and begin pulling the balloons out of trailers and trucks.
This is reportedly the only balloon festival in the world where spectators are allowed on the field.
Take full advantage of this incredible experience.
The three main events in the morning are:
Dawn Patrol – begins about 5:45 a.m. when a dozen balloons go up to test the conditions.
Morning Glow – the exciting time before the sun rises when the balloons begin to inflate and glow in the dark.
Mass Ascension – begins about 7:00 a.m. when the balloons start to take flight in waves.
Each day there will be other special events, such as the Shape Balloon Rodeo, competition flying, a car show, etc.
Check the Fiesta Schedule to pick the day that is best for you.
Balloon rides
It is possible to take a hot-air balloon ride.
One company is licensed for public rides during the Fiesta.
Tip #7: Use the bathroom – avoid lines
A rude, but necessary topic – especially if you have children in tow.
There are dozens of porta-potties stationed around the festival in big blocks. From the balloon field, it will be a good walk to the nearest restroom area.
By the time Mass Ascension was over (about 10 a.m.), the crowds were in full force.
How can I put this delicately?
Thousands of people descending on a dozen porta-potties? Not pretty.
Everything in my being wanted to skip this horror – but when you gotta go…
Be strategic and take care of business in the lull between Morning Glow and Mass Ascension. The lines will be short, and things will still be relatively fresh.
You will bless my name for this bit of advice.
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Tip #8: Where to stand to avoid crowds
If you arrive first thing in the morning, as the crews are setting up, you will be able to wander around the field, taking in the excitement.
Being right next to the balloons as they are prepped to go up is a one-of-a-kind experience.
Feel the heat from the burners.
Listen to the pilots give orders.
And experience the intensity and stress at the moment the balloon rights itself.
As the sun comes up, the crowds will get thicker. Try moving to the far side of the field (away from the concessions) for a panoramic view.
As they begin mass ascension, a sweeping view is what you want when all the balloons take off. The balloons will go up in waves, and you will be spending a few hours with your neck tipped back, gawking and trying to look everywhere at once – a little panorama distance will save your neck and allow you to get a better view.
We spent three hours watching Mass Ascension, and it felt like minutes.
Those are my 8 Tips for avoiding crowds at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.
For more opinions and information, check out some of these fabulous blog posts:
First, the official Balloon Fiesta website. This festival is so well organized.
Independent Travel Cats put together a fabulous ultimate guide to the festival – this is a must-read.
And check out Amateur Traveler’s experience taking a balloon ride.
Finally, if you’re taking little ones to the Fiesta, I recommend this post by Albuquerque Mom’s Blog.
Other Posts on the Southwest USA:
Southwest USA Itinerary: 17 Day Road Trip
A Weekend in Santa Fe: Choose Your Own Adventure
International Balloon Museum: Plan Your Visit
How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Lowell Observatory
How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Hoover Dam
Grand Canyon – 2 Day Itinerary
Make the Most of Your Trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park
How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Petrified Forest National Park
White Sands National Monument: How to Make the Most of Your Trip
How to Make the Most of Your Trip to Carlsbad Caverns
Blackstone Hotsprings: Oasis in the New Mexican Desert
Duran’s Central Pharmacy, Albuquerque, NM
