Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Packing List

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Every October, hundreds of hot air balloons take to the New Mexico sky in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest annual balloon festival. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest gathering of hot air balloons in the world. The event is organized by a non profit organization focused on promoting community engagement and cultural exhibitions. The most photographed event in the world, the AIBF features Dawn Patrols, Morning Glows, Mass Ascensions, Balloon Launches, Evening Glows, and Special Shape Balloon Events. 2022 marked the 50th anniversary of the festival and it was to be an epic, albeit crowded, event! Prepare yourself properly for the festivities with the perfect packing list (and a few skippable items!)

Photo: LadFury/Pexels

1. Layers It’s easy to see all the sunny gorgeous balloon pics and think that it’s gonna be hella warm at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. And it will be. Eventually. But in the pre-dawn hours, it’s likely to be chilly and damp. A cold person is a cranky person. Just me? Anyway, layer up for the early morning chill and plan to strip down and stay comfy as the day warms up.

2. Your Camera We all love snapping photos on our phones and the quality of cell phones has gotten really, really good. However, if there’s an event that calls for breaking out the big camera, this is it! You’re sure to snap a shot (or two or three) that you’ll want to enlarge and hang on your wall and phone files just do your photos justice when printed large. Hot air balloon launches are sensory overload, so you’ll be snapping shots and video galore, so pack plenty of memory cards and spare batteries for your camera of choice!

3. Cash Not all the vendors can swipe your credit card (Capital One’s Venture X is my card of choice!), so be sure to pack some cash (smaller bills preferably) so that you don’t have to skip that snack or souvie because the vendor is “cash only”!

4. Your Appetite Of course you’ll find booth after booth of classic carnival and fair food, but you’ll also enjoy local options like cheeseburgers and breakfast burritos topped with New Mexico green chiles. Bring your appetite and you won’t leave hungry!

4. Sunscreen Sunscreen shouldn’t just be a travel thing, it’s truly an everyday thing. While we all should be wearing a daily dose of SPF, it’s especially important if you’re spending multiple hours outside, so be sure to pack a high SPF sweatproof variety to keep you from getting extra crispy!

5. A Water Bottle The esteemed Derek Zoolander said, “Moisture is the essence of wetness”. And while he wasn’t the brightest, he was on to something. Staying hydrated is crucial for happy, healthy humans, so pack an insulated refillable water bottle and stay hydrated, friends.

7. Your Comfiest Walking Shoes 78 acres, 54 football fields put together. That’s A LOT of walking. Comfy shoes are critical, but also consider wearing moisture-wicking socks and packing blister bandaids or moleskin in case you do end up sporting a blister or two. A bottle of Aleve isn’t a bad idea either!

8. The Official Mobile App Get the latest fly/no fly alerts, maps, event schedules, and more all in the palm of your hand. Available for iOS and Android.

9. A Headlamp or Flashlight It’s dark in the pre-dawn hours when the Dawn Patrol takes place, and if you’re clumsy like I am, you’ll be happy to have something to light the way while you walk in the park. The mass ascension event occurs in two waves, filling the sky with hundreds of colorful balloons. I prefer the hands-free option of a headlamp, just try not to blind people if you go that route!

10. A Backpack to Carry it All Overloading your pockets is a recipe for losing things at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, so strap on a backpack for a hands-free way to carry all your must-have items. Be sure to leave room for any festival purchases!

And now, three things you can skip to save packing space for souvenirs!

1. A tripod for your camera Your first instinct (like mine) may be, “Oooh, balloon glow! Must. Pack. Tripod.” No. Nope. Please resist the urge. You want to be mobile during the event and a tripod will hinder that in a big way. And today’s DSLRs and mirrorless cameras can handle low light well enough that you don’t need a tripod.

2. A Chair Keeping with the mobility theme, skip the chair! Yes, lightweight portable chairs exist, but you’ll likely only use them in the early morning hours before the action starts, then you’ll be saddled with them the rest of the day. If you really must sit down while you wait, pack a trash bag to throw on the ground before you plop since the ground will likely be damp!

3. A bad attitude I get it: the crowds and early morning hours aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. But if you’re going to make the trip, embrace getting out of your comfort zone and you might be surprised how much fun it can be!

Note that glass bottles, hard-sided coolers, and weapons of any type are prohibited at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Only service animals are permitted in the park.

Have you been to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta? Are there any must-pack or must-not-pack items I’ve overlooked? Share in the comments!