The Balloon Museum Foundation proudly hosts the Observation Deck Balloon Museum Dining Events during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on October 7-15, 2023. Offering the best views from above the crowds, delicious dining, VIP amenities, and access to the Balloon Museum and Balloon Fiesta Park, the Observation Deck is the best way to experience Balloon Fiesta. Museum Dining Events offer an indoor/outdoor area away from the crowds, with delicious food and spectacular views of morning launches, evening glows, fireworks presented by Balloon Fiesta, and the Balloon Museum’s fantastic exhibits!
Tickets are on sale now! Between April-September, you may purchase Observation Deck tickets online, by phone at (505) 880-0500, or in person at the Museum Shoppe. These exclusive passes for this unique event are only available online and in the Balloon Museum Shoppe. You will not be able to purchase tickets anywhere else in the world!
Choose to attend breakfast dining events with spectacular sunrise views of Dawn Patrols, Morning Balloon Glows, and Mass Ascensions, or dinner dining events with glorious sunset views of Twilight Balloon Glows, Skydiving Spectaculars, Drone Light Shows, and fireworks – or both! To help coordinate your Observation Deck dining events with Balloon Fiesta attractions, see the full 2023 Fiesta schedule here.
2023 Observation Deck Events
Saturday, Oct. 7 – Breakfast, Dinner
Sunday, Oct. 8 – Breakfast, Dinner
Monday, Oct. 9 – No Dining Events
Tuesday, Oct. 10 – No Dining Events
Wednesday, Oct. 11 – Breakfast Only
Thursday, Oct. 12 – Breakfast, Dinner
Friday, Oct. 13 – Breakfast, Dinner
Saturday, Oct. 14 – Annular Solar Eclipse Event & Breakfast (Sold Out), Dinner
Sunday, Oct. 15 – Breakfast Only
Hours of Operation
Morning Dining Event (6:00 – 10:00 a.m.)
- 5:30 a.m. Check-In Begins
- 6:00 a.m. Museum Doors Open; Observation Deck Doors Open
- 7:00 a.m. Balloon Launch Begins
- 9:30 a.m. Food & Beverage Service Ends
- 10:00 a.m. Event Closes
Evening Dining Event (5:00 – 9:00 p.m.)
- 4:30 p.m. Check-In Begins
- 5:00 p.m. Observation Deck Doors Open
- 6:00 p.m. Balloon Glow Begins
- 8:30 p.m. Food & Beverage Service Ends
- 9:00 p.m. Event Closes
Observation Deck Tickets include 1 parking pass for every 4 tickets purchased. A parking pass is required to access the museum traffic route and to park at the Balloon Museum during Museum Dining Events. A hard-copy, individualized parking pass will be mailed, at no additional charge via USPS first-class mail, for orders received through Sept. 25. Be sure to bring your pass!
BALLOON FIESTA IS A WEATHER-DEPENDENT EVENT. While early October weather is generally ideal for hot-air ballooning, strong winds or storms may delay or cancel balloon events. However, even if the balloons cannot inflate, other Fiesta programming still occurs, such as vendors at Balloon Fiesta Park, fireworks in the evening, and dining events at the Balloon Museum. Dining events at the Balloon Museum are rain or shine; the meals and access to the museum are still available. Please review our Cancelations & Refunds Policy.
Observation Deck is the Balloon Museum Foundation’s largest fundraising event of the year. Ticket sales fund educational programming, like Stories in the Sky, creating new exhibits, like Canopy of Color, and maintaining and enhancing permanent exhibits. We appreciate your support of our mission to uplift!
Enjoy the grandeur of Balloon Fiesta from the elegance of the Balloon Museum!
