BALLOON FIESTA 2026
TEMPLATE
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2026
Story and photos by Sharon Polack
Route 66 Balloon
Buses ready to take Balloon attendees to Fiesta 2026.
October 3–12, 2026. For attendees, the experience begins before sunrise with a ride in the dark, the dampness of morning dew, and the promise of color filling the sky. Over 11 days, 852,000 people are enjoying the 2026 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains at Balloon Fiesta Park.
The theme of Fiesta 2026 is “The Scenic Route,” aligning with the 100th anniversary of Route 66. To commemorate the anniversary, a special Route 66 Centennial Balloon has been created, along with a mailbox at the fairgrounds for those wishing to send mail with a commemorative postmark.
Raffle Quilt
While balloons are the main event, more than 100 vendors line Main Street. The quilt-themed booth features a quilt designed by award-winning Mirehaven resident quilter Kathy McLaren. More than 150 quilters worked on the 75-by-86-inch balloon quilt being raffled off. The money raised supports community-service quilts.
The thrill never goes away, whether you are attending for the first time or the tenth. There is the sight of a giant balloon, the flap of its envelope, and the blast of propane. Balloons stand at attention, then take flight, joining the myriad colors in the sky. That is the essence of Balloon Fiesta. It returns each year as a feast for the senses. If, by chance, you have never had the opportunity to witness the balloons, taste the breakfast burritos, or feel the chill of the morning air while watching the sun rise over them, you should see for yourself what this spectacle is all about. The opportunity comes around every year.
Balloons preparing for the ascension
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Balloons inflating
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The color in the sky
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Mirehaven News' fabulous reporter and photographer, Sharon Polack paints with words, and she takes amazing photos. (We couldn't publish the 500 photos she took). For readers who want a short video experience as well, click on the start arrow below.
Balloon Fiesta Glodeo
Story and photos by Sharon Polack
The Star Spangled Banner played
October 9, 2026. It started with the rumble of airplane engines over Balloon Fiesta Park and a glance toward the sky. Jumping out of a perfectly good airplane were five parachutists from the Fastrax Team, with different colors of smoke trailing behind them and a couple of flags attached to their chutes. The National Anthem played as one of the jumpers unfurled the American flag while all five floated safely to the ground. This announced the start of Glodeo, the evening static balloon event showcasing special shapes. Joining the 117 special shapes this year were 13 new ones, including a walrus, blue jay, and panda, to name a few.
Smokey the Bear, born in New Mexico is ready to fly
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Happy Walrus
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Glodeo was rocking, with upbeat music playing throughout the park. Turkey legs, nachos, gooey desserts, and strong drinks were available for the evening crowd. The vendors on Main Street were busier than ever, selling balloon-themed merchandise, bling, and glow-in-the-dark lights—aptly named and heavily used during the evening.
The static nature of the event made it easier to speak with the pilots and crew. When asked about the differences between the daytime and nighttime experiences, they expressed concerns about the unseen hazards of Glow. One frequently mentioned hazard was attendees not heeding the Zebras’ whistles, which signal that a balloon is deflating and could land on someone.
Awe
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Glodeo Joy
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Glodeo ended with a Route 66 drone show that created images of cars, places, and the route itself, stretching from Illinois to California. This was followed by a spectacular fireworks show featuring hundreds of lights exploding across the sky. As the 2026 Fiesta came to a close, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc. was already hard at work planning the 2027 Fiesta. The theme for 2027 was introduced on a bumper sticker: “Adventure with Altitude.” See you there.
Drone display - Route 66 Centennial
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Fireworks
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Sharon Polack writes a beautiful story about Glodeo. The following video is time-lapsed of the whole evening, but it doesn't capture the word picture Sharon wrote. In fact, mute the music because it is irritating.
Balloons and Burritos
Story and photos by Sharon Polack
Glorious Sunrise
On October 7, 2026, under fluffy clouds that resembled pink cotton candy in the early dawn sky, approximately 30 people gathered on the patio of the Amenity Center to enjoy breakfast from Golden Pride. The event was planned and carried out by the staff at Mirehaven Estates and featured breakfast burritos made famous in New Mexico.
Breakfast burritos ready for the ascension - Julie Karl
Breakfast guests could choose from five delicious burrito options as they waited patiently for the balloons. The number of balloons that appeared was sparse, unlike during earlier launches that week, when hundreds of balloons were aloft. The winds were not cooperating. Although a gentle breeze was felt on the ground, the winds high in the atmosphere were unstable, making flight all but impossible. The seven balloons floating in the sky were part of the dawn patrol flight, which was short-lived because of the wind conditions.
Great breakfast and outstanding neighbors waiting for the ascension
The residents who attended the breakfast did not seem disappointed and understood that the weather occasionally does not cooperate. One person said, “It is giving us a chance to socialize and reacquaint ourselves with our neighbors.”
Although the balloons did not fly as planned, the annual breakfast was a wonderful community event, as residents chatted and feasted on burritos. So next year, when the balloons fly, plan to attend the annual Balloon Fiesta breakfast. It is more than a breakfast; it is an experience shared with your neighbors.
Neighbors enjoying each other. There is always next year to watch balloons.
Balloons Can Happen
Elaine Lynn playing pickleball