Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park

We had a blast even though the hot air balloon fiesta for the day got canceled but they still had a concert going on, plenty of vendors there, a fun place to be with friends and family and to watch some activities that were still planned for the day. We actually still got to watch some parachuters carrying the American flag and red white and blue smoke.I WOULD RECOMMEND

Go to the balloon fiesta if you can!! This was our third time, on its 50th anniversary and we were thankful the balloons launched! We have been before and they didn't due to weather... so it's just a gamble because of the weather! We took our stroller and snacks for our 1 year old and we had no problem getting around! The most stressful part is the parking... so give yourself time to get that figured out. Many roads are re-routed and there will be delays. There are a lot of vendors and limes for those vendors... take warm clothes because you may need them...

WOW first off this place is huge and has everything you could want at a festival, over 30 food vendors, tons of shopping, things for kids and even mini bathrooms that are not porta pottys. They do have those too. There is a ton of parking and there was a ton of walking but since the fest is held early in the morning and late at night that makes for a comfortable walking temp and environment. The food vendors sell breakfast items in the morning, Doughnuts, breakfast burritos and coffee. At the back of the park there is a location called the discovery center this is where kids can get a passport for free to go around to all the exhibits and earn stamps, they can redeem for a lanyard. To the right of that is another tent that contains arts and crafts, and tons of other vendors like a fle market or a convention setup. I would say the length is about 4 to 5 hundred yards from the front to the back. On days the field is not roped off you can walk on the field and take great photos and videos of the balloons

Whomever has "NOT" experienced the balloon festival, who has to go and witness the fiesta value at least once, maybe twice in a lifetime. It is a great activity and one that is humbling. With that said, the biggest problem is to many people in one spot at one time. This makes this a very patient place to be. If you dont have any that, this will be a very bad experience.This was my second visit in five years. The first visit was nice, not a problem getting around and seeing the festival. I say this because the people who organize the festival have failed the second time,Traffic flow, food courts, pedestrian , availability of carnival food.One thing that got me the most is the lines that blocked pedestrian traffic ( gate 12 ), were ridiculous. The people sitting on the grass, dangerous. The parking was a cattle call.In my opinion they get a red D-. There speakers were drowning out the food courts and very annoying. You can broadcast without having listening, to every opinion..The food was definitely put together, overpriced,under valued.The bathrooms were ridicules. Very long lines in some locations, and very little in others, very unorganized, and very frustrating..It took us over one and a half hours, To enter parking. They should hire professional companies that know what there doing.The balloons were great, the grounds failed.

I have never been here before until I visited for balloon fiesta. Looking at it on a map looks manageable but in person is it's way bigger and more confusing. I purchased a park and ride ticket to get to balloon fiesta since i am not familiar with the area and did not wanna deal with parking. I woke up at 3 am to get to my parking destination by 4 am-ish because I knew the lines would be long and loading busses were gonna take some time. I arrived at the Coronado Center, parked, went through the metal detector just fine and got my ticket scanned and went on a bus. I got to the festival grounds with plenty of time to spare. It was dark outside and had no idea where they dropped me off but I found my way around. There are plenty of vendors with many things for sale including food. If you plan ahead of time and look at the event page, outside food and drinks are allowed so save some money doing that. I brought a chair and it was very useful when I got tired of walking around. All of the vendors accept cards but cahs is quick when you are trying to get food in a hurry. They did have some atm's on-site but they were really far away. The food looked really got but they were all in a rush to make it because of the crowds so i dont recommend getting food there till after the balloons have taken off. Do dress up in layers and bring plenty to drink (coffee is always good). Stop by a store to buy more layers if you did not bring enough because the prices inside the balloon fiesta are super expensive ($25 for a lap blanket, $10 for gloves). Bring extra battery packs and a good camera to take lots of pictures. Do visit the tents because a lot of them have free stuff to win but will close by 9 am for the morning session. Expect crowded conditions and long lines everywhere. Porta potties are available but make sure you bring hand sanitizer. Tip- Canon has been the major sponsor for the festival for the past couple of years and they have a tent where you can go in and rent a professional camera for free! All you do is give them your ID, fill out some forms and you are good to go. They give you a memory card and at the end of the session you get to keep the card with all your cool pictures but the camera must be returned. Canon also lets those who rented a camera rent out a variety of lenses too! Of course, this is just a big marketing strategy for Canon to sell cameras but who cares sign me up! This year was the 48th balloon fiesta so in 2021 they will be celebrating 50 years!! That is the year I plan on returning to see the balloon fiesta and this time I am planning on staying longer!

Visited for the 2022 Balloon Fiesta and it is well worth it. Don't sleep in. Dawn Patrol launches just as the sun comes up and most activity is done by 10am. If there is a glow, it will be in the evening but watch the weather. We saw the start but a pop-up thunderstorm caused the ballons to be deflated rapidly and we were told to evacuate the field. (BTW, if the lights on the posts are flashing, it is a weather warning.) Come prepared for any weather.

Welcoming one and all to the 2021 international balloon fiesta. We're all excited because we didn't have it last year. I am upset at the $20 parking fee, but am happy many vendors took card or touch less payment. I was also worried about not many people wearing masks. I attended the first day and quickly left after first ascension. I understand a lot of people say "we're tired of the mask crap", and that attitude will prolong all of this "crap" you deteste. Let's hope this didn't turn into an impromptu covid "spreader" event, but we'll see in two weeks if cases surge, yet again. But did have a good time. There were plenty of hand sanitizer available so that made me feel a bit safer. Many vendors were making great strides to clean in between customers even with the onslaught of mass business. I did have a good time. But I believe that we need to start mandating masks and vaccination status. Otherwise things will get worse and this state can't afford another shut down. And that lies in our hands and actions, that's not blaming the governor.

Go to the Balloon fiesta! Make sure to be ready to possibly go to multiple sessions as the balloons only inflate and go if the weather cooperates which is not always a guarantee. BUT my oh my the fiesta was awesome. One of the most captivating experiences I have had in a while.

We went from 3-7 on a Saturday and enjoyed the afternoon concert, then returned the next morning to see the balloons go up. Bring a blanket or chairs to enjoy the concert, the grass was unreal. We laid in it and it was so lush.

2023 Balloon Fiesta! Spectacular! We had great weather for the morning ascension. Love that we could bring our chairs & be in the midst of the balloons which gave us spectacular view of the balloons as they ascended. It's something you have to experience. Evening showEnjoyed the skydivers, drone show but they did a sending off of Balloon race (this event took too long, and the announcer talked too much, and it was boring) it delayed the fireworks which were scheduled for 8:00 pm they didn't start til 9:30. Most people left (people were tired because most got up @ 4:00 am to see the balloons) and we almost left too; that was bummer. Couldn't hear the announcer. Bring lots of cash because you have to pay for everything twice!If you come to the morning, you will pay for that event and parking ($20)If you come to the night one, you will pay again for that event and parking.Food Vendors all sorts, clothing vendors & Miscellaneous vendors. (expensive $7.00 for ice cream cone, $24.00 for 3 coffees & 2 donuts)Hotels are outrageously expensive! The Balloons were amazing, but the prices were outrageous. Doubt if, I'd do come again because of the cost.