Any local will tell you that October is the most beautiful time of year in New Mexico, made so in large part by the much-anticipated sight of colorful balloons punctuating the skyline.

During this season, the sky is bluer, the days are gentler, and the mornings crisper — almost as though the landscape has taken a deep sigh — and on the desert’s warm breath sails the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Schedule of Events:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2025

7:00 am: Albuquerque Aloft (at local elementary schools)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2025

ExxonMobil DAY

5:45 am: Drone Light Show
6:00 am: Dawn Patrol Show
6:30 am: Morning Glow
7:00 am: Opening Ceremonies (Chile Flight-Formation Flight Team Fly-Over)
7:00 am: Mass Ascension
8:00-noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
10:00 am: Chainsaw Carving Auction
3:00-6:00 pm: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5:00 pm: Team Fastrax Skydiving
6:00pm: America's Challenge Gas Balloon Race Launch
6:30 pm: Twilight Twinkle Glow powered by ExxonMobil
7:30 pm: Team Fastrax Skydiving
7:45 pm: Drone Light Show
8:00 pm: AfterGlow Freworks Show

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2025

5:45 am: Drone Light Show
5:00 pm: Dawn Patrol Show
6:00 am:Morning Glow
6:30 am: Morning Glow
7:00 am: Mass Ascension
7:30-11:00 am: Fiesta de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)
8:00-noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
9:00 am: Fiesta of Wheels Car Show (located on north end of launch field)
10:00 am: Chainsaw Carving Auction
11:00 am: Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Group Tour Tent, north end of Main Street)
3:00-6:00 pm: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5:00 pm: Team Fastrax Skydiving
6:30 pm: Balloon Glow, powered by ExxonMobil 
7:30 pm: Team Fastrax Skydiving
7:45 pm: Drone Light Show
8:00 pm: AfterGlow Fireworks Show

MONDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2025

6:00 am Dawn Patrol
7:00 am: Balloon Launch
8:00 am: Fly In Competition Launch
8:00-noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2025

COCA-COLA DAY

6:00 am Dawn Patrol
7:00 am: Balloon Launch
8:00 am: Fly In Competition Launch
8:00-noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2025

6:00 am: Dawn Patrol Show
6:30 am: Morning Glow
7:00 am: Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension
7:30-11:00 am Fiesta de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)
8:00-noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025

6:00 am: Dawn Patrol
7:00 am: Special Shape Rodeo
7:00 am: Balloon Launch
8:00 am: Fly In Competition Launch
8:00-noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
10:00 am: Chainsaw Carving Auction
3:00-6:00 pm: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5:00 pm: Team Fastrax Skydiving
6:30 pm: Special Shape Glowdeo
7:30 pm: Team Fastrax Skydiving
7:45 pm: Drone Light Show
8:00 pm: AfterGlow Fireworks Show

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2025

KIDS' DAY - SPONSORED BY CHICK-FIL-A

4:30 am: Kids' Day Goodie Bag Distribution begins (South of the Main Street Stage)
6:00 am: Dawn Patrol
7:00 am: Special Shape Rodeo
7:00 am: Balloon Launch
7:30-11:00 am: Fiesta de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)
8:00 am: Fly In Competition Launch
8:00-noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
10:00 am: Chainsaw Carving Auction
3:00-6:00 pm: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5:00 pm: Team Fastrax Skydiving
6:30 pm: Special Shape Glowdeo
7:30 pm: Team Fastrax Skydiving
7:45 pm: Drone Light Show
8:00 pm: AfterGlow Fireworks Show

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2025

ExxonMobil DAY

5:45 am: Drone Light Show
6:00 am: Dawn Patrol Show
6:30 am: Morning Glow
7:00 am: Mass Ascension, powered by ExxonMobil
8:00-noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
10:00 am: Chainsaw Carving Auction
11:00 am: Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading (Group Tour Tent, north end of Main Street)
1:00-5:00 pm: Music Fiesta
3:00-6:00 pm: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition
5:00 pm: Team Fastrax Skydiving
6:30 pm: Night Magic Glow, powered by ExxonMobil
6:30 pm: Fiesta de Los Globitos (Remote Control Balloons Exhibition)
7:30 pm: Team Fastrax Skydiving
7:45 pm: Drone Light Show
8:00 pm: AfterGlow Fireworks Show

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2025

5:45 am: Drone Light Show
6:00 am: Dawn Patrol Show
6:30 am: Krispy Kreme Morning Glow
7:00 am: Farewell Mass Ascension
8:00-noon: Chainsaw Carving Exhibition

Fest Date: October 4 - 12, 2025

Location: Balloon Fiesta Park - 5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy NE Albuquerque, NM 87113

General Admission:
$15 per person, per session
Children 12 and under are free

Click here to buy tickets.

Click here for more information.