Join us during select Wednesdays during the months of July and August for free live music!
Bring blankets and lawn chairs and relax outdoors on the east lawn of the Albuquerque Balloon Museum. Bring a picnic or enjoy delicious offerings from local food trucks.
Please no glass or alcohol.
#balloonmuseumlove #balloonskylinesandphilanthropy #balloonmuseum #balloonmuseumfoundation
Join us during select Wednesdays during the months of July and August for free live music!
Bring blankets and lawn chairs and relax outdoors on the east lawn of the Albuquerque Balloon Museum. Bring a picnic or enjoy delicious offerings from local food trucks.
Please no glass or alcohol.
#balloonmuseumlove #balloonskylinesandphilanthropy #balloonmuseum #balloonmuseumfoundation
The Balloon museum is hosting a new, weekend-long event to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Join us Saturday, February 11th, and Sunday, February 12th, for love-filled events and take your Valentine’s to new heights! February 11th will have three opportunities for you to share with your significant other or family, starting with a beautiful gourmet breakfast and sunrise views of the Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally from our private balcony. Toast your loved ones with a glass of sparkly, enjoy museum tours, and a Museum Shoppe discount. Those joining us for breakfast will also have an exclusive shopping hour at the Balloon Museum Artisan Market!
From 9 am – 4 pm, the Balloon Museum Artisan Market will be open to museum attendees. Enjoy a day at the museum with your loved ones strolling the Balloon Museum Artisan Market with more than 15 local vendors. Attending the Artisan Market is included with regular Museum admission and is free for Museum members – be sure to stop by the Membership table for your chance to win one of our Ultimate Balloon Lover’s Gift Packages. Local artisans participating in the Balloon Museum Artisan Market will donate a portion of their proceeds to the Balloon Museum Foundation.
In the evening, we will have a fabulous & fun cocktail party with views of hot air balloons & an Albuquerque sunset! Join us for gourmet food and toast your loved ones with a complimentary glass of sparkly while enjoying the evening balloon glow. Those attending the cocktail party can enjoy museum tours, a Museum Shoppe discount, and an exclusive hour of shopping at the Balloon Museum Artisan Market.
And on February 12th, we are hosting our first Super Galentine Balloon Breakfast. We’re excited for the Super Bowl! Before you begin your game day activities, join us for a gourmet breakfast buffet indoors in the stunning second-story atrium room with beautiful balcony views of the Friends and Lovers Balloon Rally. Toast your favorite gal – or guy – with a complimentary glass of sparkly, and enjoy an optional yoga class, fun activity stations, and a Museum Shoppe discount.
In addition to Valentine’s weekend events, we are selling Ultimate Balloon Lover’s gift packages. Buy one for yourself or to share with your special someone! Packages include a one-year Balloon Museum Membership for 2, a 3D-printed light-up “LOVE” sign, a Raspberry Chocolate Bar from local craft chocolatier Eldora, a coupon to pick out a bottle of wine from Casa Rondeña with an additional exclusive tasting for two at Casa Rondeña, a Balloon Museum silicone all-purpose stemless wine glass, a mug from the Balloon Museum resident artist collection, 12 oz Coffee from New Mexico Piñon Coffee, and a Heart-Shaped Balloon to top it all off! Proceeds from the Ultimate Gift Package will support the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum. Packages will be available for pick up at the Balloon Museum from 9 am – 5 pm Saturday, February 11th & Sunday, February 12th.
The Love is in the Air Valentine’s weekend benefits the Balloon Museum; a portion of the proceeds benefit the Balloon Museum Foundation.
For tickets, follow the links below. We hope to see you for all our Valentine’s fun!
February 11, 2023
SUNRISE VALENTINE’S BREAKFAST, 6-9 am
MUSEUM ARTISAN MARKET, 9 am – 4 pm
SUNSET GLOW COCKTAIL PARTY, 4-7 pm
SUPER GALENTINE BALLOON BREAKFAST, 6–9 am
AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME
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.
On a clear morning in April of 1972, thirteen hot air balloons launched from Albuquerque’s Coronado Mall to a cheering crowd of ten thousand spectators. The event was a promotional stunt meant to celebrate the 50th anniversary of local radio station KOB (now KKOB). Little did organizers know, that launch would mark the first annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®, which this October will celebrate its own 50th anniversary.
Over the years, the Balloon Fiesta has ballooned in size, becoming the world’s largest gathering of balloons and balloonists and attracting more than 800,000 visitors each fall. It has also repeatedly earned the title of “the world’s most photographed event” with an estimated twenty-five million photos taken. The lighter-than-air crafts have become so synonymous with Albuquerque and such a great source of city and state pride that depictions of brightly colored balloons adorn everything from our buildings to buses to license plates.
The City of Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Park moved to its current location in 1996, with the 360-acre launch field fully grassed in the year 2002. From sports practices and games to weddings and concerts, the park itself has become an integral part of the greater Albuquerque community. In 2005, Balloon Fiesta Park also became home to the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum, an institution committed to presenting and promoting the sport, history, and culture of ballooning year round. Each fall, the museum collaborates with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta organization to create a convenient, integrated, and exhilarating experience for park guests. Thanks to the museum’s close proximity to the launch field, visitors can partake in the Balloon Fiesta’s thrilling mass ascensions, Dawn Patrols, and Balloon Glows, and the museum’s fascinating exhibits and programming all in one place.
Special events at the Balloon Museum planned for the Balloon Fiesta’s 50th anniversary include spectacular balloon viewing opportunities, ticketed VIP dining events, and a much anticipated exhibition “Canopy of Color” that includes an in-depth look at the history of Balloon Fiesta featuring an interactive timeline, personal interviews, memorabilia, art and artifacts, and much more.
Despite the 2020 cancellation and 2021 restrictions, the 2022 Balloon Fiesta promises a brilliant celebration, featuring over 650 balloons, including 120 special shapes and the 50th Anniversary balloon “Fiesta Gold,” nine days and five nights of incredible food, music, flying competitions, fireworks, commemorative merchandise and collectibles, and other family friendly events designed to commemorate the historic occasion.
The Balloon Fiesta’s 50th anniversary is a monumental achievement for both the organization and for the city of Albuquerque. This October’s celebration is not to be missed!
Each year, Albuquerque, New Mexico hosts the largest hot air balloon festival in the world—the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The Fiesta lasts for 9 days in October, and features activities like hot air balloon rides, mass ascensions, balloon glows, local food and art, races, and more. With so much happening, you’ll want to be sure you have a great place to take it all in so you don’t miss anything. In this article, we’ll share some of the best places to watch the Balloon Fiesta.
The Best Places To Watch the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
At the Fiesta – It’s no surprise that one of the best ways to watch the Balloon Fiesta is by attending it. By traveling to Albuquerque, you can witness the awe-inspiring event firsthand, and even get up into the air if you want! If you’re interested in attending the Balloon Fiesta, tickets are now on sale, so get yours today!
VIP Experiences – There are also VIP viewing experiences that allow you to get a one-of-a-kind perspective of all the Fiesta has to offer. During the Balloon Fiesta, the Balloon Museum—located just next to Balloon Fiesta Park—offers VIP Viewing Packages for an unforgettable experience. These packages include catered meals, drinks, amazing views of the Fiesta, and more. Tickets are on sale now, so consider purchasing yours today!
Balloon Fiesta Live! – If you are unable to make it to Albuquerque for the Balloon Fiesta, don’t worry! You can still catch all of the action by watching the Balloon Fiesta live stream: Balloon Fiesta Live! Over the course of the Fiesta, Balloon Fiesta Live! offers more than 40 hours of live, uninterrupted, commercial-free coverage of the ascensions, glows, shapes, and competitions.
The Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation proudly raises awareness, involvement, and funds for the Balloon Museum. Our goal is to uplift the Museum through project collaboration, artifact donations, and shared information and resources. The Balloon Museum Foundation also holds special events during The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta each year, like the VIP Viewing Packages mentioned above. Find out more about the Fiesta and how you can support our efforts by becoming a member, donating, volunteering, or purchasing a wall tile today!
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the world’s largest hot air balloon festival, lasting for 9 days each October, and drawing in crowds of nearly 1 million visitors each year. This year, however, the Fiesta will be even more spectacular as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the best Balloon Fiesta events that will be offered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this world-renowned occasion.
50th Anniversary Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Events
Before the 50th Balloon Fiesta
While most of the action will take place during the 9 days of the Fiesta in October, there are also some events occurring earlier to celebrate the 50th anniversary, including:
- Man Above Town Exhibit – The Albuquerque International Balloon Museum has an exhibit about the man who started it all and is known as the ”Father of the Balloon Fiesta”—Sid Cutter. The Museum opened this special exhibition on Friday, April 8th, 2022, which is the true 50th anniversary of the Balloon Fiesta. “Man Above Town” celebrates Cutter and all of his contributions to the Fiesta.
- Canopy of Color Exhibit – Closer to October, the Balloon Museum is also planning to open another special exhibit called “Canopy of Color.” This exhibition will celebrate the last 50 years of the Fiesta’s history, focusing on the joy, dedication, hard work, and spirit of the Fiesta. It will also honor all of the people who had the visions for the Fiesta and worked together to make it what it is today.
During the 50th Balloon Fiesta
There will also be plenty of Balloon Fiesta Parks events throughout the 9 days of the Fiesta. These events include:
- 50th Anniversary Balloon – Made last year during the 2021 Balloon Fiesta, there will be a balloon specifically made to celebrate the event’s 50th anniversary, and to also honor Sid Cutter. There is even a silhouette of Sid Cutter at the top of the inside of the balloon to celebrate him.
- Original 13 Balloons Take Off – Another event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fiesta involves replicating the original 13 balloons that took off during the first Fiesta. These 13 replicated balloons are also scheduled to take off from the very same spot as the first Fiesta—the Coronado Center. The original pilots who are still alive will be included in the event.
- VIP Viewing Packages – You can also celebrate the Fiesta’s 50th anniversary by purchasing tickets for VIP Viewing Packages from the Balloon Museum. These packages include catered meals, drinks, amazing views of the Fiesta, and more. This will allow you to have an amazing experience and make the 50th Fiesta an event to remember. Tickets are on sale now, so consider purchasing yours today!
The Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation proudly raises awareness, involvement, and funds for the Balloon Museum. Our goal is to uplift the Museum through project collaboration, artifact donations, and shared information and resources. The Balloon Museum Foundation also holds special events during The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta each year, like the VIP Viewing Packages mentioned above. Find out more about the Fiesta and all of the scheduled events, as well as looking into how you can support our efforts by becoming a member, donating, volunteering, or purchasing a wall tile today!
You’ve most likely heard of a silent auction before. Maybe you’ve even participated in one. Even if you are familiar with silent auctions, there still may be some areas you are unclear about. So, we’re here to answer two important questions: what is a silent auction? and how does a silent auction work?
What Are Silent Auctions?
Silent auctions are fundraising events that are usually hosted by a specific organization to raise money for a certain cause. As the name suggests, they are a type of auction that involve individuals bidding on items. However, unlike live auctions, the bidding process is entirely “silent,” meaning there is no auctioneer and your bids are semi-private. Usually, the items up for auction are donated, so all of the proceeds from the event go toward the specific cause the organization is supporting. Silent auctions often coincide with other events like galas as well.
How Do Silent Auctions Work?
Silent auctions work by having participants bid on items, experiences, and packages––like shoes, cooking classes, tickets to sporting events, and more. The bidding can be done on pieces of paper accompanying a specific item, or digitally with bidding software or apps.
There are also certain silent auction rules that ensure the event runs smoothly and is conducted in a fair manner. Some of these rules include:
- The auction has a set time frame and there can be no more bids after the ending time
- Final bids must be made by a certain time, usually within a few minutes of the auction end time
- There are often minimum bid requirements that involve having to bid a certain amount for an item
- There are also requirements for bid increments, which means increasing the bid by a certain amount
- Whether bidders will be allowed to alter or withdraw their bids
Many nonprofit organizations and charities host silent auctions in order to fund their critical work. These events are usually significant fundraisers that these organizations rely on to continue carrying out their missions.
On April 30th, we hosted the Golden Glow Gala: 70’s Style in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Balloon Fiesta. The Golden Glow Gala included a silent and live auction, a costume contest, and live music and dancing! Our gala events are great ways to support the museum and celebrate with the ballooning community. For more information on our events and next year’s gala, visit our signature events page!
The Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation proudly raises awareness, involvement, and funds for the Balloon Museum. Our goal is to uplift the Museum through project collaboration, and shared information and resources.
The Balloon Museum Foundation also holds special events during The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta each year. The Museum also offers educational programs for children and adults—like S.T.E.A.M. Nights at the Balloon Museum—that offer science presentations and activities. You can also find out more about the Fiesta and how you can support our efforts by becoming a member, donating, volunteering, or purchasing a wall tile today!
Hot air balloons offer a thrilling way to ride through the sky and enjoy looking at the world from a new perspective. That’s why they are often sources of inspiration that motivate and uplift. However, going on an actual ride in a hot air balloon may not always be a realistic option, especially for younger children. So, how can you bring the magic of ballooning to kids? Learn how to make a hot air balloon at home.
Making a small hot air balloon at home can serve as a fun science project that teaches kids about scientific and mathematical properties—like how hot air balloons work—while also stimulating your child’s imagination and creativity. Here’s what you’ll need:
- A large, thin plastic bag (like one from a dry cleaner—make sure to close the hole at the top if you use this type of bag)
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic straws (straight, not bendy—cut the bendable part off if that’s all you have)
- Birthday candles
- Scissors
- Clear tape
- A lighter
- Plenty of space (indoors or outdoors)
- String (to make sure your balloon doesn’t blow away if you are outside
- Adult supervision
*Again, it’s important to only make a hot air balloon at home with adult supervision.*
- Step 1: Cut a 4” x 4” square of aluminum foil to use to make the basket of the balloon
- Step 2: Melt wax from the bottom of a candle using the lighter. The wax should form a pool on the center of the aluminum foil, about 1” from the corners
- Step 3: Stick the base of your candles in the wax before it hardens so the candles stand straight up on their own. Be gentle so you don’t tear the aluminum. You can always melt more wax if you need to
- Step 4: Form a wall with the aluminum foil by folding the edges inward (about ¼ to ½ inch). This will make sure the wax is contained while the candles burn and it doesn’t drip out
- Step 5: Determine how long your frame made of plastic straws will be by measuring the width of the opening in your bag. You can use trial and error, but the frame should fit snugly inside the opening
- Step 6: For the frame, fasten the straws into two pieces of identical length. Cut a small slit in the bottom of a straw and insert another straw into it, then tape them together. Repeat for the other half of the frame
- Step 7: Create an “X” with your straw pieces and tape them together like that
- Step 8: Place your straw “X” frame inside the opening of the bag. Make sure it fits tightly, then secure it in place with tape
- Step 9: Tape the aluminum basket onto the straw frame so the candles point up into the bag (the balloon envelope). Make sure the candles aren’t directly above the straws
- Step 10: Tie a string to your basket if you will be flying the balloon in an area where it can rise beyond your reach
- Step 11: Take your balloon to a large, open room. You can also try to fly it outside, but it is often too windy
- Step 12: Have one person hold the top of the bag (balloon) up and then have an adult light the candles in the basket. Continue holding the bag until it fills with warm air and stands on its own
- Step 13: Liftoff! After a few minutes, the balloon will lift itself off the ground
For younger children, you can go even simpler and teach them how to make a tissue paper hot air balloon. But don’t worry! This method still involves the balloon taking flight—this time using a hairdryer instead of candles.
The Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation proudly raises awareness, involvement, and funds for the Balloon Museum. Our goal is to uplift the Museum through project collaboration, artifact donations, and shared information and resources.
The Museum also offers educational programs for children and adults—like S.T.E.A.M. Nights at the Balloon Museum—that offer science presentations and activities. You can also find out more about the Fiesta and how you can support our efforts by becoming a member, donating, volunteering, or purchasing a wall tile today!
Galas are often talked about in relation to celebrity events—like the Met Gala held in New York City every year—or fancy parties from movies and TV. However, galas are much more common than you might think. In this article, we’ll answer some of the most common questions, like what a gala is, what to wear to a gala, and more.
What Is a Gala Event?
A gala is a social occasion that is often a celebration of a certain event, milestone, or cause.
The event is usually hosted by a business, nonprofit organization, or charity to highlight a specific achievement. Galas usually involve a night of splendor, including a nice dinner, some type of musical performance or other entertainment, and guests dressing up in some of their best clothing. The hosts sell plates or tables to the guests who attend.
Galas can also have a unique theme—like the Oscars, James Bond, disco, or many others. But many galas simply require you to dress up in nice clothes. This leaves many attendees wondering, “What should I wear to a gala?”
What Do You Wear to a Gala?
When there’s no specific theme for a gala, you should plan to wear some of your best items of clothing. For women, this usually includes dressing in an evening dress or gown, heels, and jewelry, as well as carrying a small clutch instead of a purse. For men, it’s customary to wear a suit or a tuxedo. It’s also recommended to wear a bow tie instead of a classic tie. Since galas are special occasions, it’s a great time to get dressed up and have a great time. Some galas have special themes that you can dress for as well.
What Is the Point of a Gala?
While the exact reason for galas can change, they are usually thrown as a celebration of an event or an achievement, as mentioned above. They also commonly act as a fundraising event for a specific organization or cause. Because of this, they can include other elements like silent auctions. Overall, the point of a gala is usually to raise money or awareness for a cause or an organization. All of the proceeds from the night typically go to a nonprofit organization or charity.
The Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation holds a Gala every year in support for the Balloon Museum. In previous years the gala has been the Chic-I-Boom Ball, named after the first special shape balloon. Our 2022 Gala was the Golden Glow Gala, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Balloon Fiesta. Our gala events are great ways to support the museum and celebrate with the Ballooning Community. For more information on our events visit our Calendar of Events!
The Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation proudly raises awareness, involvement, and funds for the Balloon Museum. Our goal is to uplift the Museum through project collaboration, artifact donations, and shared information and resources.
The Balloon Museum Foundation also holds special events during The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta each year. The Museum also offers educational programs for children and adults—like S.T.E.A.M. Nights at the Balloon Museum—that offer science presentations and activities. You can also find out more about the Fiesta and how you can support our efforts by becoming a member, donating, volunteering, or purchasing a wall tile today!