First wave of the Mass Ascension lifts off from Balloon Fiesta Park. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Dawn patrol checks wind conditions to determine whether the Mass Ascension will be permitted. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
By LAURA LIMBACK
For the Los Alamos Daily Post
The 2025 ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta was held Oct. 4-12. Celebrating its 53rd year, the nine-day event was the largest in history, with more balloons and larger crowds than ever before. Set against the striking backdrop of the Sandia Mountains and New Mexico desert oasis, the premier annual international ballooning event drew more than 500 hot air balloons and 1 million attendees.
This year’s fiesta started each morning with an impressive drone display hosted by Sandia Resort and Casino, where hundreds of drones were choreographed to display images of significance to New Mexico and Balloon Fiesta traditions.
The drone show was followed by the dawn patrol, where a small group of pilots launched their balloons to assess the wind conditions for that morning. If the wind conditions were within acceptable thresholds, then the Mass Ascension was
approved, where hundreds of balloons of remarkable shapes and designs were launched into the New Mexico sky.
There was a series of “special events” throughout the week as well, including the Special Shapes Rodeo, Balloon Glow, Flight of the Nations, ballooning competitions, and fireworks display.
The Balloon Fiesta is more than just a festival. It’s a symbol of how people from all over the world can come together to celebrate the beauty of flight, the joy of community, and the magic of Albuquerque. It serves as a premier international gathering for ballooning enthusiasts, with balloonists from 12 countries taking part in this year’s event. Pilots from Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among the international contingent, each flying balloons representing their respective countries.
One standout feature of the 2025 festival was the integration of cutting-edge technology. The introduction of real-time flight tracking for the balloons allowed spectators to follow pilots throughout their flights, adding a layer of interactivity to the traditional event. Additionally, several balloons were equipped with high-definition cameras, providing stunning aerial footage that was streamed live to screens throughout the fiesta grounds. This technology made it easier for spectators to remain engaged after the balloons were launched.
Next year’s Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta is scheduled for Oct. 3-11, 2026.
Spectators admire the hundreds of balloons prepping for launch. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
The sky filled with shapes and colors just before sunrise. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com
Fan favorite, 19-year-old Darth Vader balloon makes a static appearance. Photo by Nate Limback/ladailypost.com