I have a Nikon (mirrorless, full frame) Z6 and hope to get some photos worthy of enlarging and printing. Depending on where you are staying in Albuquerque, wed recommend leaving between 4:00am and 4:30am on mass ascension mornings. But I heard that they dont count with this route this year. Rio Rancho, Corrales, and even Bernallio are communities adjacent to Albuquerque and near the Balloon Fiesta. We live in Boston so not used to this weather at all! I know the scooters you said are on a first come first serve basis. At this point Im only a hobbyist but typically shoot manual or aperture priority, not auto mode. The museum has a great glass viewing area where you can sit comfortably and watch the balloons and an outdoor viewing deck. Pay attention to the signs and follow signs for Balloon Fiesta Parking once you are close (be sure to stay out of the pilot, crew, and shuttle lanes). I used to see them floating alongon my way to work when I lived in Albuquerque. The view is not quite as good as the Gondola Club (we have a photo from there in our post) but it is very similar, and you can see one taken from the Chasers Club here on the official website. Is there enough to do between the morning and evening, or should we plan to leave then come back? If you enjoy cycling, that is also an option and would warm you up on the way there. New Mexico has a lot of prickly plants! It is both practical as well as a tradition. There are also courtesy shuttles you can use to get from the parking lots to the entrance. You have captured stunning pictures of this event. Id recommend bringing along a good pair of binoculars for better views since you may be viewing them at a bit of a distance. We are actually returning to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta this year so very excited to be there again! 6:00pm Night Glow 8:00am Chainsaw carving begins (throughout morning and afternoon sessions) Want to keep up to date with us and our latest travel tips? 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. The festival is always in October, but the dates do change each year. We are there Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. 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. We attended the morning sessions on days 1 and 3; our planned attendance of the evening session on day 2 was cancelled due to high winds. These balloons tend to be most peoples favorites. Find out the latest RV information and, A few hotels and casinos will also have their own private shuttles taking their guests to and from Balloon Fiesta Park. 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. Hi Jessica, wonderful blog! Yes, normally on the weekend festival days, there is a special Rail Runner train service that connects to a station (usually in Los Ranchos) to shuttle buses that will take visitors directly to the Balloon Fiesta. It would be awesome to drive from Los Angeles to attend. With a regular ticket you get access to the field, food vendors, and toilets (port-a-potties). 6:30am Morning Glow 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. From our first day on Sunday to our last day on Friday, the weather was perfect! We just got back from the 2021 Fiesta. There are of course a number of hotel and apartment rentals as well in the city. Hope that helps and wishing you a wonderful time at the Balloon Fiesta and a lovely wedding!! Most toilets at the event are not wheelchair accessible. This is definitely going to be very helpful in our planning. In Albuquerque, Id also recommend a trip up the Sandia Tramway for some nice views over the city, a wonder around Old Town, a drive along Route 66 / Central Avenue at night to see the neon sights, and perhaps a visit to the unique Kimo Theater. so its official for this year. If you have time in between balloon event stuff, Albuquerque is also a great place to try local New Mexican food and the restaurants are less expensive than Santa Fe restaurants. Rei has 125k effective hp against traited, surge immune, 5 knockbacks, 30% chance for surge, and a near 50% uptime slow. The Albuquerque Balloon Museum is just south and adjacent to the launch field. Best, Jessica. Those tent camping only can get spots for $35. What happens if a Balloon Fiesta event is canceled due to weather? Or if you rent a car, you can of course stay wherever and then just park at one of the Park & Ride lots and take the shuttle into the Fiesta park. Either way, its always good to bring a large piece of carpet and set it outside of the RV for them to lay on. But you can certainly buy them in advance! Unlike in previous years, there will be no in person tickets sold on the day at the parking areas. The higher the grade, the more powerful the Orb's effect will be. For the afternoon sessions, they normally start at 5pm, so Id probably plan to be back by 4pm to park for the evening sessions. We provide a number of recs in the article. Yes, you would definitely be fine if you plan to arrive at the fiesta parking around 4:30am. Another option Id really recommend is checking out availability for balloon events being held during the Balloon Fiesta at the Balloon Museum. Traffic will be a lot heavier and some lanes and exits will be closed so expect it to take much longer than predicted to get to the field and park. Uber and Lyft had in previous years been able to use the Park & Ride shuttle lane, but they have NOT been allowed to do this week so far as far as I know. 11:00am Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (for those who collect the Fiesta pins) Or consider a ticket to one of the Balloon Museum events where you have full access to the museums restroom facilities. Enjoy your time at the Balloon Fiesta and New Mexico, and just let us know if you have further questions. People have been way too harsh on her on release. But hopefully that wont be necessary but always good to have the option. The views from above the field are absolutely stunning and we were able to get some great photos! These events are mostly attended by balloon pilots and enthusiasts, but anyone is welcome to watch. I would definitely recommend leaving your Sunday morning free, just in case Saturdays ride is canceled, there looks like there is good availability for Sunday (as of now) so you could hopefully reschedule if needed. So there is nothing else you would need to purchase. I am so happy to hear this article helped with some of your trip planning. Hope that helps and wishing you a great Fiesta! Or alternatively a Wednesday as there is usually a mass ascension scheduled for Wednesday morning as well. For Saturday PM session, I guess it just depends on if you are interested in seeing a Night Glow event with fireworks or not. After completing Into the Future Chapter 3, some True Form Cats can become even more powerful by unlocking upgrades called Talents. Would you advise against bring a camp chair to the event? Thank you for putting this together you are THE most informative Balloon Tycoon under the stars! The Balloon Fiesta Park is located in northern Albuquerque. Our Experience at the 2019 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta But with those tickets, they give you access to the Chasers Club area and you are allowed to go wherever you want in the public viewing area. Tips for Booking Accommodation during Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta? 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. Most of the events are very weather dependent and the events can be cancelled for more than a day in a row depending on wind, storms, etc. 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. We met up with local blogger Leslie of. In prior years, typically the weekends of the Balloon Fiesta, the New Mexico Rail Runner (local train) operated a special schedule where you could take the train to a specific station (usually the Los Ranchos/Journal Center stop) and a shuttle will meet you to take you to the park. 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! Some crew members are chatting and happy to chat, while others are preoccupied and busy with preparations. It was so exciting to see the first balloon take off during my first mass ascension and almost as equally exciting the second and third times! I am happy to learn that this event in Albuquerque is affordable. I used to see them as I drove to work and many people just sit outside in their yards or porches. I wish you and your blog continued success and for us, an awesome trip! If so, where is the best to check? We decided to walk to the corner of Balloon Museum Drive NE and Alameda Blvd NE where a friendly car-share driver was actually available (and waited for us). Thank you very much for your reply. Hi Lyn, Thanks so much for the sweet comment. Glad you are finding our Albuquerque posts helpful in planning your visit to the Balloon Fiesta! We generally advise people to plan to be around to attend for 2 to 3 days to ensure they will be pretty certain to see the balloons. Parking tickets and special events tickets cannot be reused. The last festival was held in 2021 from October 2, 2021 to October 10, 2021. Best, Jessica. Any insight or suggestions would be great. If you leave and come back for another session, you will need another admission ticket. Weve never personally stayed at the RV sites, but most I believe are dirt surfaces although I think some near the museum were asphalt when we walked through last year. Normally for lunch and most museums, reservations are not required but I would make them for dinner out at sit-down restaurants (many places will book up for the dates during the Fiesta) and for any tours or attractions that recommend pre-booking tickets. For the handicap parking I dont think you need to do anything in advance. Both Uber and Lyft are available in Albuquerque. Just be sure to book those in advance for the dates that you plan to ride as I expect they will sell out before the event. If you want to walk amongst the balloons, the Gondola Club is going to be better. Well list places near the Fiesta Park, near the Park & Ride locations, and then a range of other options in Albuquerque. If you purchased admission tickets, parking passes, Park & Ride tickets, RV spots, or other services for the canceled 2020 event, you could change the reservation date to use at the 2021 or request a full refund. This is a dazzling event of colorful beauty and one of my favorite festivals in the world. Get the latest science news and technology news, read tech reviews and more at ABC News. Special shape balloons are included in most of the other events but there is usually a day where only the Special shape balloons take off in the morning and do the evening glow. Personally, I love to walk among the balloons and see them from different angles so Id definitely recommend doing that on the day you are not doing the balloon flight one morning if you can the balloons are best seen in the morning events. I think most of the injuries related to ballooning happen when landing especially if people are not prepared as it can be very bumpy and I have definitely be flung forward. We never reached the exit as our driver had to stop for a bladder break, so stopping on the should was our only option. But none of the hotels are super close so I would recommend just using the toilets at the Balloon Fiesta. Doug Budget option. Once the event is underway, the shuttle buses will start leaving to return to the pick-up locations every 10 to 15 minutes so you just need to make your way back to the shuttle bus area and be sure to get into the correct line to get back to the Coronado Center (there are 4 different Park & Ride locations this year). 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. and will be staying at the Sandia Resort however are trying to decide what day to ride the balloon. Note that even if walking, the trail may be a good bet if you are staying near it and are looking for a path for you to follow. Parking Tips for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. 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. 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. It was truly a trip of a lifetime for us. Get up to the minute entertainment news, celebrity interviews, celeb videos, photos, movies, TV, music news and pop culture on ABCNews.com. He came out with some minor cuts, but a good scare. It is just up to the pilots if they are present and want to launch on a particular morning. Can I Ride in a Hot Air Balloon during the Balloon Fiesta? 8:00am Competition Flying events take place on field throughout morning Yes, you can still find accommodation last minute but you will pay a lot more. 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. If they cancel the evening balloon glows in advance, they will also typically cancel the light shows and fireworks. We will be visiting during part of the festival to care for my 88 y o mother. We stayed in the south near the airport, and we got caught in the traffic chaos and massive queues on the opening morning and we missed attending the morning glow and launch, although we caught a bit of both from the park-and-ride lot at Cottonwood Mall, where many hundreds (thousands?) You can see the different amenities offered and compare them on what is most important to you. ~ Jessica, I am stunned (in a good way) with all these photos. So if you want to do that, Id plan to go Monday morning to do that perhaps? We have never found it to be that loud at the park although it is busy of course. There is also the Artisan Tent which has vendors selling all kinds of arts, crafts, and souvenirs from local artists. I would not book for the very last day of the festival as if it is cancelled due to weather, you wont have a chance to reschedule to go up during the event. Since we both work, thats really the only time we have to go! Hi Antoinette, Glad you enjoyed our article. Is there anything about hot air ballooning I should know? Hi Anda, Sorry to hear that, but actually as far as I know there were no serious accidents this year (in terms of injuries) at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, and the news loves to report on any accidents. Once it gets dark, the burners are lit to make the balloons light up after sunset. The lots do sometimes fill up, particularly on weekend mornings, but never that early. There are some Special, Rare, Super Rare and Uber Rare Cats that can evolve for a second time to their True Form by using Catfruit and Catfruit Seeds (along with XP) after reaching level 30. It will be busy, especially on weekends, and you do not want to risk waiting in traffic or in a line and miss some of the events. Current prices for RV spots range from $40 to $250 per night for spots. We are heading back ourselves this year! How many days should I attend the Balloon Fiesta? Was it Corrales Winery?? We considered bringing kayaks, but think it may be easier to run out to the river some place, but dont know the best public areas to access. Is there much of a difference between the ascension events on the weekends (Mass Ascension) vs. weekdays (Balloon launch, Special Shape Rodeo)? Your transport and admission ticket are included. But just be sure to arrive as early as you can as weekends are the busiest days of the event. Be sure to check weather forecast the night before and wear layers. So as you can see, it is a bit complicated and confusing as what you decide to do will affect the other tickets you need. Your Park & Ride ticket includes your admission to the festival for the corresponding session. (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. If you dont like the idea of standing in line to use a port-a-potty, consider an upgraded experience by getting a ticket to the Chasers Club or Gondola Club which have dedicated toilets. Every year a few thousand volunteers are needed in addition to a small team of professional full-time staff to help with the event. 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. Those who have a checking or savings account, but also use financial alternatives like check cashing services are considered underbanked. The fireworks are generally very good and worth staying to watch! Sorry again to hear about your experience, and that you wont be giving it a second chance. 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. They told us to be there by 4:45 5:00 AM. I cant find anywhere that tells what that is. Jessica. 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. People watch from spots all over the city, in nearby communities like Corrales, along the river, and even from Sandia Peak (although they are going to be very far away). 7:00am Flight of Nations Mass Ascension You can sort these lists by distance from the Balloon Fiesta Park and by budget. 2:00pm Gas balloon begin to inflate (can see on field throughout afternoon/early evening) If you are planning to attend a lot of sessions, you can purchase an all-session parking pass through the Balloon Fiesta Gift Shop in Albuquerque (call 1-888-422-7277) in advance. This is where at least one hot air balloon (often several) will take off before sunrise and fly to check on weather conditions and visibility of landing conditions. A couple of visitors recently told us that last year they left late to get to the Balloon Fiesta morning mass ascension and the parking lots were already full so they were stuck in traffic for 2 hours and they missed it. Well be staying in a hotel (close by), but will have our motorhome with us. Also glad that our article was helpful in planning your trip to the festival, we love hearing that our advice was helpful to others! If you have any questions as you plan your trip, just let us know and we are happy to try to help! How do I Purchase Balloon Fiesta Admission Tickets? If you have flexibility of where you are staying, Id highly recommend spending a night or two in Albuquerque (rather than Santa Fe) if attending the Fiesta is a priority. Her question now makes a lot more sense! Also the roads will be busy and not great for walking. 7:30am Remote Control Balloons Exhibition (until 11:00am) However, even as media we still only had access to a couple of shared porta potties with another tent. However, this was not the case during our visit in 2018. The volunteering guidelines change a little each year so do check before registering. Hi Elizabeth, I am so happy to hear that our article is helping you plan your trip to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta for this coming year! If we were to buy a Chasers Club ticket for one session (not the morning of our ride), do you think the Club and seating area makes more sense for a Mass Ascension morning or for an evening glow/fireworks event? 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. There are of course several other campsites in Albuquerque that cost a bit less. In some years, companies have had special arrangements to use the Park & Ride shuttle lanes so they could get their quicker. Please check your e-mail to confirm your sign up. 8:00am Competition Flying events take place on field throughout morning Are there a lot more balloons launched during the Mass Ascension mornings? 7:30pm Skydiving performance 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? I have never been to Mexico. What is the museums policy on cancelations due to weather, I cant seem to find it. Thank you! Personally, my favorite place is on the field and we normally just do the General Admission. I loved the experience both times and we hope to have the chance to return a third time! Youll also want to inquire about their refund policy if there is a weather related cancellation which happens fairly often. I was wondering what you thought about parking the motorhome in the parking lot during the sessions. You can find out more and. Some people just come for one day and hope for the best, but I would advise to come for at least 3 days so that you have a good chance of being able to see the balloons launch. Such an amazing article.I love this article. Then they were stopped from launching as the clouds became worse and conditions became too dangerous. Is it close enuf to run back and forth for bathroom and rest breaks? You can also get tickets to some of the great events held at the. Wondering if being inside the balloon park (Gondola Club) will be better for the show and activities, or will you see the same thing at the Museumwhich do you suggest. 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. If you rent a scooter there do you need to stay on the main roads or can you go in the grassy areas? Hey, we were also at the 2018 event, for our 1st ever visit to both city and the Balloon Fiesta. ~ Jessica. If they say it is OK, you might want to ask the bus driver in the morning if you need any special ticket to get back on the bus for coming back in the evening. Youll likely run across them being roasted somewhere in the city. We missed out on some things, but wed love to come back. So we also shoot with a full frame camera, and in our experience, you generally wont need a tripod for most of the sessions. Please dont stop being this helpful. The truth is that you dont need to book them in advance as they are available to purchase at ticket kiosks before you enter the security area to enter the park. But Im not really sure the ground is a great place to sleep as there are a lot of people and activity going on during the sessions. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Please check your e-mail to confirm your sign-up. Yes, it is such a fun and beautiful event. That way you dont have to worry quite as much about getting there and wont have so far to drive back and forth, etc. We give several suggestions for nearby hotels above in the article, but we also recommend looking up the Balloon Fiesta Park location on a map and then searching for hotels nearby. Note that seating is very limited within the Fiesta Park. 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. I am really sorry to hear that! Many of the special shape balloons also launch during the regular launches and mass ascensions as well, but you get to see them all together on that day. I feel totally prepared now with the inside knowledge. The road/lane/exit closures and traffic flow change each year and can cause extra havoc. Make time to visit the Andersen Abruzzo International Balloon Museum which is located near the launch field. We highly recommend this as an option for anyone near a Park & Ride location. In our experience, they often head towards and land over in the Rio Rancho and Corrales areas. Events may include fly-in tasks where they must drop something on a specific target and events where they must toss or grab rings from various poles. We dont have hotel reservations at this time and I have a large dog so going to the festival is not an option. The gates do not open to the public until 4:30am so I dont think you can park before then so I would not arrive before that time. It will limit the tickets sold but it should be a better experience for all those planning to use the shuttles. 8:00am Chainsaw carving (throughout morning), 6:00am Dawn Patrol First off I want to say great blog about the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, best out there! There is just not a lot of extra room for storage on the buses. Sorry to hear that you may not be able to do a hot balloon ride during the festival, but a lot of the joy is just watching the balloons take to the sky. What advice would you have for her? We do recommend that people do plan ahead if they can! But you should be able to park a travel trailer for the day at the Park & Ride shuttle parking lots. Note that we havent specifically done the volunteer program but we have helped on the chase crew for balloon events before for pilots we know. Available on mp3 and wav at the worlds largest store for DJs. How were you both considered media for the event? Each tent can hold up to 4 persons. It is a tower defense game where you have to defend your base from invading enemies by using different types of cats. Prices for rental cars, flights, etc. You should look ahead at the schedule (available about a year in advance) to make your plans as different events take place each day. 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. I also see that the gondola club is the ones to buy if I am correct. They just have a bunch of shuttles that come to pick up people at the designated times and places. Thank you for this post about the Albuquerque Balloon Festival! There is usually at least one or two days each Fiesta where it is not safe for the balloons to fly (normally due to winds) so good to plan some flexibility into your plans. I have booked a hotel near one of the Park & ride locations. You are very welcome and I hope you have a wonderful time at the festival. Probably will have more questions as time goes on and gets closer. Hi Elizabeth, Rio Rancho is a good location actually for attending the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta as it is just north of Albuquerque and only about a 15 to 20 minute drive to the park (although will obviously take longer during fiesta). Well be attending the Balloon Fest next weekend. I am assuming we would need to be there at the same time to avoid traffic? **NOTE: These did not run in 2018 or 2019 as in September 2018 New Mexico Rail Runner made an announcement that they were not going to run them for the 2018 event as they were not profitable. If you decide to just pay for a regular entrance, you can pay for the parking as you enter (bring cash) and then purchase tickets each day before you enter the event. When do things start filling up? Watching hundred of colorful balloons rising with the crisp morning sun against the amazing New Mexico landscape sounds like a great way to start the day! or 3.) No matter which you decide to do, I would definitely book early in your trip in case of weather cancellations as you will want to be able to do alternative dates. 8:00am Chainsaw carving (throughout morning until noon), 6:00am Dawn Patrol Is there such thing as a reentry stamp if we had to leave the festival at any point? If you are walking, I would recommend being there by around 6:00am since this is when Dawn Patrol normally starts and morning glows normally start around 6:30am. Would it be better to buy shuttle tickets and do the park and ride? 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. However, if you are dining at the museum, youd need to purchase a separate ticket to access the field and take a shuttle between the two venues. 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. If you decide to drive yourself, parking is $20 per vehicle, be sure to bring cash. Now to figure out which of the RV lots will be the best to reserve! 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. Please keep any cigarettes at home or in your car. You are so generous. Is the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Accessible for those in Wheelchairs? 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 There is also a number of business and sponsor tents, many offering free goodies and games. The park is located west of I-25, approximately 12 miles north of the. For example a unit with the Level of 10(+15) will have the same stats as a Level 25's stats. The Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is the largest hot air ballooning event in the world and is said to be the most photographed event on earth! Lots of helpful tips and advice. I recommend going for several days if you can so that you are sure to see at least a couple of events in case of poor weather. Be sure to check the latest rain check policy when you purchase your tickets. Hi Poppy, As discussed in many of the comments and in the article, you can usually see them from many places throughout the city during the Balloon Fiesta. 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. New Mexico is a stunning state for landscapes. With a camera like the Nikon Z6, Id say the best option is to use a lens with a wide aperture and then set a relatively high ISO. They have to take all their clothing, food, fuel, and gear with them on their flight. Latest breaking news, including politics, crime and celebrity. ~ Jessica, How fun would that be to see hundreds of balloons all rise up together in the sky! Other Events & Activities at Balloon Fiesta, 2022 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Schedule of Events, Guided Tours to Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. No one bothered our stuff if we happened to get up and walk around. Available Oct. 4-7. But they have changed the Park & Ride shuttle for this year where all tickets are pre-booked so they know how many riders there will be and there are set departure times. Once the balloons are in the air, the views are the same from anywhere on the field, whether you are sitting or standing. Balloons will be going in all directions, as they go where the wind blows. 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). It is $20 per vehicle (as of 2022) per session. You may also get discounted hotel rates. Get information on latest national and international events & more. If spots are all sold out when you try to book, you can add your name to a wait list. There is no seating on the field although you can bring a blanket or small seat if you think you will need to sit down, but most people walk around the field and main street area throughout the event. What happens if we decide to do the Park & Ride shuttle bus tix? What if the park-n-ride shuttle is already full, since you have to get your ticket online..I apologize for all the questions, just want to be prepared when I make the reservations. The handicap parking area is near the main entrance and not far from where you can rent the mobility scooters. Note that you ticket includes your admission to the event, but does not include parking or transport. 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. It was too windy for the balloons to inflate & glow but they fireworks were great & we thoroughly enjoyed our evening. Would being at the entrance around 6 am or 6:30 am be OK? Tickets are not refundable but can be reused if balloon event is cancelled. Yes, the Opening Weekend is often the busiest days at the Balloon Fiesta. It is generally chilly in the mornings and late evenings and youll want a light coat and perhaps a hat. Another issue to consider for booking your balloon flight is the possibility of weather/safety related cancellations and how many days you have in Albuquerque (this is also true for attending the festival). Pilots could spend up to four days in their balloons and can go as far as the East Coast of the United States or Canada! 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. Uber, Lyft, and taxis were not given priority lane access last year (as they had in prior years, they could use the shuttle lanes) and so rides took as long as normal traffic. Hope that helps and wishing you a great Balloon Fiesta! 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. 7:30pm Skydiving performance It is near the field so you get a good view but you are not actually on the field and dont have to go through ticketing or anything. The latest Lifestyle | Daily Life news, tips, opinion and advice from The Sydney Morning Herald covering life and relationships, beauty, fashion, health & wellbeing 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. Then we arrive at our Albuquerque hotel appx. Will I be able to tow/park my camping trailer to the parking lot at Balloon Fiesta Park or the shuttle parking lots? Can you bring collapsible wagons on the park and ride to the park? These tickets go on sale online in April from the fiestas website. , in person at the Balloon Fiesta Gift Shop, or in person at the entrance to the park. Sounds like we should have planned to be there for one of the weekends. The Park and Ride shuttles need to be pre-booked in most cases as I think they stopped allowing walk-up ticket purchases a year or so ago. For a first-time experience, it is so nice to be able to spend the time walking the field and seeing the hot air balloons up close. Then change it back after sun comes up. We stayed for the fireworks and stuff, but want to return. Im considering the Chasers Club tickets but dont want to be confined to a particular area. Hope that helps and wishing you a wonderful Balloon Fiesta! From best to worst: S, A, B, C, D, Each Talent Orb only improves either health or attack power against only one trait. 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). We have already decided that this year will be a learning experience and we may need to plan another trip to the Fiesta! South Lake Tahoe, CA. I am way too excited !!! There is both a morning and evening session on most days, so if you leave the park after the morning session, youll have to pay again to enter in the evening. Click here to see our current giveaway and enter! This is always an issue if you have a limited amount of time. There may be small differences but really as a visitor, you are unlikely to notice the difference between even 400 balloons and 500 balloons. A lot of people ask us how far in advance they need to book their admission tickets. Unfortunately, I dont think the Rail & Shuttle combo option is likely to be offered by New Mexico Rail Runner this year. Fast Company is the world's leading progressive business media brand, with a unique editorial focus on innovation in technology, leadership, and design. 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 campground is just for the festival so there may very well be goats head stickers / burr weeds nearby. I think I might go for the upgrade! Glad that you are finding our Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta post helpful in planning your visit. 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. I am very sorry to hear about the disease, but I am glad that you are planning a visit to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Thanks! Pets are not allowed in the Parkalthough service animals are of course welcome. The North Valley is a great area to stay if you want to be really close to the park. Hi Lolo, I hope you have a chance to get to Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta, it is certainly a festival worth planning ahead for! My camera went bad, and I bought a new Nikon D750 camera w/ battery the day before the Fiesta yikes! My question (probably quite dumb) is : Do balloons launch in the mornings of the other days even if it is not en mass? The sunset was incredible & they had a live band playing. For the balloon glows and evening events, there is less to see on the field itself as there are fewer balloons taking part and the glows (usually about a dozen or so) and the light shows and fireworks can be seen pretty well from a distance. If you think you are not going to get much sleep with your late night flight and early wake up, you might consider going on Sunday mornings event instead of Saturdays. Thank you!!! Oddly, we found many first-time visitors we talked to had little idea what events were happening when and just sort of assumed that all days were the same. Required fields are marked *, Notify me of replies to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise! So they dont confine you to a particular area if you want to explore elsewhere, but most people with these tickets do stay in the Chasers Club seating area. 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. The evening sessions are not normally as crowded normally as the morning sessions, but generally it is advised to be at the park about 2 hours before the evening events begin to avoid heavy traffic. Your idea of not booking chasers club on morning number 2 is a good one just in case we would need to try to reschedule our ride due to weather. For example one nearby hotel popular with fiesta visitors is Sandia Resort & Casino. I think you would be OK trying to nap in the car (unless security asks you not to do so), but it might not be the best place to try to sleep. You will probably launch along with several other balloons and get to see the same things in terms of landscape/cityscape. Download and listen to new, exclusive, electronic dance music and house tracks. We also thought about a small VRBO. Im having a little trouble navigating only want to spend 1 day at the balloon festival. Also, is there one weekend thats better than the other? Thanks you guys for the real life information. Our handicap brother, Eugene, did not see the first balloons go up, nor did he see any balloons light up for Krispy Kreme Morning Glow, nor the Opening Ceremonies. I very much appreciate the information and tips you are giving! Albuquerque offers a wide range of lodging options, including classic motels, Compare hotel prices and book early for best prices and to guarantee getting the date and places you want. Note that Park and Ride tickets now need to be booked online and may sell out in advance. Those under 12 get in free for most things. My son is so excited to see the balloon festival (he only sees it in Youtube and hes a big fan). Many of the balloons headed this way will land in parks, fields, and parking lots in this area. Bring a jacket and dress in layers. Watch breaking news videos, viral videos and original video clips on CNN.com. So you are supposed to get admission tickets for each session. This was a great way to spend our morning, and although the views were not as good as within the Park, it was great to see the balloons in a different way and to not have to deal with the traffic at the Park. Thank you in advance for your advice! But delays and cancelations will be announced on the Fiestas social media accounts, local radio stations, local TV coverage, and over the loudspeaker at the event itself. You might want to consider bringing something for them to lie on in case they on your site (heavy rug/piece of carpet) and getting protective paw booties for your dogs to protect their paws when walking. 5:00pm Skydiving performance If you dont have a car, youll probably want to try to stay within walking distance if possible. Were doing a balloon ride on Saturday AM that launches from outside of the park, so were wondering if the Saturday evening events are worth dealing with the park entry drama. Thanks, Jessica! #TheWeeklyPostcard, Hi Ruth, That is disappointing to hear about the balloon event being cancelled, especially due to a non-weather related event! Most bike trails are multipurpose trails. to be able to drive safely in the early morning and evening hours. 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. However, a couple days ago we went to a Balloon Glow event in the evening but it was cancelled and there was just fireworks. Thanks again Jessica for the helpful information! Any suggestions for us to hang out and view? Do a little research beforehand so you know what you are most interested in seeing! About a 50min walk and a 5 min drive. The only time wed probably recommend people consider bringing a tripod is for the evening sessions during the Night Glow where you can get some nice shots. I hear there is music during the day also. 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. The shuttles pull in as close as possible for drop-in and drop-off. 2 1/2 miles from the Hot Air Balloon Museum. In the UK, the Bristol Balloon Fiesta is the largest in Europe and I think second only to Albuquerque. Or she can get a VIP ticket via the Concierge Program which includes the personal concierge, golf cart, admission tickets, etc. Ill let the pictures fill in the rest as there are really no words that can aptly describe it. The museum is adjacent to the field so the outdoor area has a great view over the field, but you wont be able to get close-up views or walk amongst the balloons. Generally, with the admission tickets and upgraded experience tickets, you can not get a refund. My wife and I are planning our first trip to the 2022 festival and are really looking forward to it. Id wait to figure out your flights and lodging first, then figure out transport and tickets. Thank you Jessica, I appreciate your information that you gave us. We will be first-time visitors to the Fiesta and New Mexico. This means you will not get quite as close to the other balloons, but you should still see the other balloons in the air. Im so glad & thankful for your post. Im wondering how the view is from the Chasers area. Keep up the awesome work yall are doing. Even places within an hour or two of the city such as the Turquoise Trail stops, Tent Rocks, and Santa Fe are also going to be much busier than usual. I love travel themed jewelry and bought a pair of earrings at my very first Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in 2009. As I said earlier, I have been fortunate to have been able to attend the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta three times, the first time while I was living in the city in 2009, then again in 2016 with Laurence, and again in 2018 with family. Seeing the balloons up close and together is really, in my opinion, the highlightof Balloon Fiesta and from inside the Park is the single best way to do this. We both wore layers, light coats, and hats in the morning and enjoyed cups of hot cocoa and coffee at the beginning of the morning mass ascension. Most people stand for the event, but if you or someone you are traveling with will need to sit, consider bringing a folding lawn chair, blanket, or mobility scooter. But you have lots of options there and elsewhere and it depends if you plan to take the Park & Ride shuttles or drive to the event if the former, then Id stay near a Park & Ride location. There are places for RV parking but those require a pre-booked reservation. Please note that all the times listed are all approximate and all events are weather dependent! Love this article! The Chasers Clubgives ticket holders access to a dedicated view area, hot buffet meals, seating area, toilets, beverage services, and a cash bar. Companies include, For lower prices, consider booking a balloon flight before or after the Balloon Fiesta when prices return to the normal rates. 6:45am Opening Ceremonies for the 2022 event 7) Try different angles or perspectives to get a unique photo. Yes, I definitely can recommend doing a morning session and evening session in the same day, especially if you are having good weather conditions! And if that winery is near, Id love more details on that! Despite being a bootleg mitama, rei is still a bootleg of a SS tier uber who is arguably the best uber in the game. I am going to probably just Uber. Its not the getting up early thats the problem, its the standing around in the cold that concerns me. Thanks! Heres how new water cannons could help fight wildfires year-round Weekends are much busier than weekdays so plan accordingly. This is out first time and my family and I had a wonderful time at the mass ascent this morning. Did you see many people seated or bring in camp chairs? But when all is said and done, seeing the balloons live prepped, launched, and land was a magical experience. But youll also get great views of the balloons launching and going into the air from the ground. 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