New Mexico: Balloon Fiesta admission and parking

There are 14 sessions at the 2019 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. One session is all morning activities or all evening activities. There are 9 morning sessions and 5 evening sessions. The park opens at 4:30 am for morning sessions, and again at 3:00 pm for evening sessions. On double session days, the park is open until approximately 9:00 pm. On single session days (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday), the park is open until approximately 12:00 pm.

General Admission

Each session costs $10. Tickets are available for purchase online, and at the entrance gates at Balloon Fiesta Park.

Park and Ride

When we attended the Special Shapes Rodeo in 2017, we used the Park and Ride to avoid parking issues. For us, it just made sense. We didn’t know the Albuquerque area or the traffic flow, so we parked at the Coronado Center (also available as a location this year). Park and ride tickets include round-trip transportation to and from Balloon Fiesta Park, admission to the Balloon Fiesta session, and an expedited route to bypass heavy traffic.

Knowing which days and sessions you want to go to helps with the cost – for an adult, it’s $15 + service charge instead of $22 + service charge if you plan ahead. Park and ride tickets can only be purchased online.

Purchase prices (A 10% service charge is added at time of purchase)
• Children: (5 and under) FREE
• Children: (6-12) $7
• Adults: (13-61) $15
• Seniors: (62+) $12

Purchases made after midnight for morning sessions on the day of, or after noon for evening sessions on the day of:  (A 10% service charge is added at the time of purchase)
• Children: (5 and under) FREE
• Children: (6-12) $10
• Adults: (13-61) $22
• Seniors: (62+) $20
• Bus Only: $12
NOTE: Print-at-home tickets are e-mailed upon completion of your order. Print your tickets and bring them with you.

Parking

Parking is available at the Balloon Fiesta Park for $15 for each session you are at the park. Each parking lot is color-coded and the gates are numbered, so remember the color and number of the gate through which you entered the field. Cash only for parking fees.