The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the world’s largest hot air balloon festival, held each October in Albuquerque. For nine days, hundreds of balloons launch in coordinated “mass ascensions” at sunrise, filling the sky with color. Pilots from around the globe participate, including competition events and special shape rodeos featuring creatively designed balloons. Evening “Balloon Glows” light up the field as inflated balloons illuminate against the night sky. Thanks to Albuquerque’s unique weather pattern known as the “Box,” pilots can navigate predictable wind currents, making the event especially spectacular and safe.