Save The Date

Join us October 7-15, 2023, for the 51st Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta powered by ExxonMobil in Albuquerque, New Mexico. More information will become available at www.balloonfiesta.com in the coming weeks. Plan ahead - The 52nd Balloon Fiesta is scheduled to take place October 5-13, 2024.

Balloon Fiesta Insider

RVs are a popular way to travel to Balloon Fiesta. And, reservations for the 51^st event will go on sale January 11, 2023 at 9 a.m. MT. Reservations will be available for all different lots:



• Standard - $50 per night, dry camping (South RV Lot)
• Box View - $60 per night, dry camping (South RV Lot)
• Premium - $100 per night, 30Amp and water connection (South RV Lot)
• VIP West/East - $115 per night, dry camping (adjacent to Launch Field and includes 2 entry passes to Balloon Fiesta, valid for the duration of your stay)
• VIP North - $115 per night, dry camping (adjacent to Launch Field and includes 2 entry passes to Balloon Fiesta, valid for the duration of your stay) Please note that this lot is in close proximity to the Fireworks
• President’s Compound - $250 per night, 30-50 Amp RV Hook-up, city water pressure (Site is located on a bluff overlooking the Launch Field and includes up to 4 entry passes to Balloon Fiesta, valid for the duration of your stay)

To see a map of RV lots, click here: https://balloonfiesta.com/files/galleries/RV_Lot_Map_2022.pdf

To learn how to reserve your space, click here: https://balloonfiesta.com/RV-Information 

Merchandise Update

2022 has been another wonderful year! With the holidays coming up, Balloon Fiesta’s Gift Shop has a wide selection of gifts available. Shop a variety of sportswear, keychains, magnets, jewelry ornaments, books and more, to find the perfect gift for your family and friends. As you shop, below are some important dates to keep in mind:



• December 16, 2022 – 1:00 p.m. deadline to place an order through balloonfiestastuff.com and have it delivered by Christmas
• December 19, 2022 – last day to place an order online for 2022 and shop in person at the Balloon Fiesta Gift Shop, located at 4401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 
• December 20 -31, 2022 – balloonfiestastuff.com and Balloon Fiesta’s Gift Shop are closed for inventory and the Holidays
• January 1, 2023 – balloonfiestastuff.com will be back online for shopping
• January 2, 2023 – Balloon Fiesta’s Gift Shop will re-open for shopping in-person

Inside the Basket

As Balloon Fiesta’s Safety Officer and Balloonmeister for Fiesta de Los Globitos, Melissa Bond helps to coordinate the safe launch of the remote controlled balloons during Balloon Fiesta.

In this month’s Inside the Basket, she shares more about how she became involved with Balloon Fiesta, what these types of balloons are and how you can learn more about them.

December in Ballooning

On December 19, 2007, Swiss pilot Pierrick Duvoisen set the duration world record for AX-01-type balloons, a category of small hot air balloons with envelopes under 250 cubic meters. Duvoisin took flight in the Valley of Brevine in a homemade balloon and flew for a total of 6 hours, 20 minutes and 38 seconds. This record still stands today. 

December Photo-of-the-Month

We have received some beautiful pictures of the 50th event, submitted through the Cindy Petrehn Memorial Photo Contest! Below is the Grand Prize winner, Carolyn Wiesma. Check out our website to see all of the photography contest winners.

Do you have a Balloon Fiesta photo that you’re proud of? Share your favorite Balloon Fiesta image on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and tag our page for a chance to be featured in next month’s newsletter!

Read all about it

Check out some exciting media coverage Balloon Fiesta received in 2022.



• Trip Advisor names the 9 totally amazing, one-of-a-kind fall festivals in the US and includes Balloon Fiesta as one of the nine.

• Euro News highlights that the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, In pictures attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Sponsor Spotlight

Lovelace Health System (Lovelace) has been a sponsor and the official health care provider at Balloon Fiesta for more than 26 years. Lovelace is celebrating its 100th anniversary, marking a century of caring, change and progress while continuously improving the practice of medicine. Across its six hospitals, 51 health care clinics and seven outpatient therapy clinics, Lovelace has 619 inpatient beds and employs a team of more than 3,900, including more than 263 health care providers. Lovelace takes pride in providing health care services for guests at Balloon Fiesta.

For a complete list of Balloon Fiesta sponsors, click here.