Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2016

The 45th annual event will feature 550 hot air and gas balloons, of which nearly a hundred are anticipated to be special shape balloons. Pilots from more than 22 countries have been invited to fly in the popular international event.

The 2016 event theme is “Desert Kaleidoscope”

The five morning mass ascensions, launching both weekends and mid-week, are the most popular events. Other favorite events include the Balloon Glows, Special Shape Rodeo and Music Fiesta.

The event will initiate with the Dawn Patrol Show at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, as Dawn Patrol pilots launch in the dark. Their flight will be followed by more than 500 hot air balloons launching in various waves in search of the famous Albuquerque Box (a wind pattern unique to Balloon Fiesta Park providing pilots the chance to take off and land from the same location).