Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2026 — this event has finished

The largest hot-air balloon gathering on earth: over five hundred balloons rising together in the dawn Mass Ascensions, nine days running, with glows, fireworks and special-shape rodeos in between — 2026 adds a Route 66 centennial theme. The magic hour is genuinely 5:45am, when the Dawn Patrol goes up in the dark; the park runs on early starts and green chile breakfast burritos. Hotels across Albuquerque fill a year out, and anything bookable near the park in early October is worth taking on sight.