Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

08/29/2026

08/28/2026

Fall is on its way and it's the perfect time to enjoy a picnic on our back lawn before you explore the Balloon Museum. Did you know admission is free on the first Friday of every month and from 9am-1pm every Sunday?

Don't forget to also checkout the movies showing in our Anderson Theater and our list of upcoming events at: CABQ.gov/Balloon .

Now showing in our Anderson Theater:
"Above and Beyond: a Balloon Museum Story"
(Followed by additional ballooning content.)
55 minutes series of short films; Rated G

10am —11am

About: "Above and Beyond: a Balloon Museum Story"
A story of reflection and celebration produced by Sopapilla Productions and narrated by Steve Stucker.

About: "Ballooning Around the World Footage"
Enjoy a global journey from up in the skies with short films of hot air balloon flights by Ruedi and Priska Abbuhl, followed by more ballooning themed content!

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"Hindenburg: The New Evidence"
55 minutes; Rated PG

11am — 12pm

About:
"80 years after the world's largest airship ignited in a giant fireball, newly discovered footage sparks a re-investigation of what exactly caused the Hindenburg disaster." -IMDB.com

NOVA documentary
Directed by Kirk Wolfinger
Written and narrated by Rushmore DeNooyer
Starring Guillaume DeSyon and Pat Doyen

08/28/2026

Join us for STEAM based learning Wednesdays 9:30am and 11am for FREE storytime in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language followed by art and crafts.

September's Theme: Leap into Literacy

September 2 - Letters and Words
Join us as we welcome local Santa Fe author Katherine Davis-Gibbons as she shares her book, “Words” and introduces us to her Alphapals!

September 9 - Guest Author: Nicholas Aragon
Local author Nicholas Aragon returns to share his latest books “Curly Crow Rides the Rail Runner” and “Curly Crow Visits Grandma”!

September 16 - Author Spotlight: Eric Carle
This week we shine the spotlight on Eric Carle, the author and illustrator of more than 70 books
for very young children!

September 23 - Making Books
Come be an author of your own Do It Yourself book! The New Mexico State Library Book Mobile
will also be here!

September 30 - Guest Author: Ross Van Dusen
Award winning local author Ross Van Dusen joins us to read his book “The Best Day Ever!” about what a day spent at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta may look like!

08/28/2026

Are you looking for something fun and unique to do on the weekends? Come visit us at the Balloon Museum and learn more about the art and science behind taking flight!

Admission is free this Sunday morning from 9am-1pm, and it's the perfect time to enjoy a picnic on our back lawn before you explore the Balloon Museum.

08/28/2026

Come visit us at the Balloon Museum and check out our Collection Spotlight.

Maurice Bower’s Will Rogers at the County Fair was created for the October 1951 cover of Blue Book Magazine, a leading pulp publication of the early twentieth century known for its influential illustrators and striking wraparound covers. A regular contributor, Bowen was central to the magazine’s visual identity during its mid-century peak.

Part of the "Men of America" series, the painting evokes a nostalgic 1920s county fair, a period when Will Rogers stood at the height of his cultural influence. Framed by the imagery of popular leisure, including a yellow gas balloon, Bowen presents Rogers as both celebrity and everyman, reflecting his role as “America’s Cowboy Philosopher” and a trusted national voice during a formative moment in American popular culture.

Video developed by Eva Guerrero

08/28/2026

We're excited! Will you be watching with us? Check out the post below along with this information about live tracking.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EgyqriNfF/

LAUNCH EXPECTED TONIGHT! 🎈EARLIEST 1AM.
GUESTS ARE WELCOME!

Launch Schedule

Here is what the next hours look like.

The launch field opens today at 16:00, giving all teams time to get set up.

An additional briefing (for crew and pilots) follows at 23:00 with the latest updates.

Filling of the balloons wraps up at midnight, and launch is expected shortly after at 01:00. ⏱️

08/19/2026

What is the Coupe Gordon Bennett?

"The Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett, the FAI long-distance world championship for gas balloon pilots, is the oldest and most prestigious event in aviation and the ultimate challenge for pilots. The goal is simple: to cover the greatest distance to the launch site without stopping.'

'The international competition was initiated by James Gordon Bennett Jr. in 1906, when 16 gas balloons took off from the Jardin de Tuileries in Paris." --GordonBennett2026.de/en

Watch this video from the Gordon Bennett YouTube channel to learn why the Gordon Bennett moved to Gladbeck.
https://youtu.be/NO_qeXmCKOU?si=dX6n6hRQdYzabGh_

Interview with Marc Andre, vice-president of the international ball...

08/19/2026

Earlier this month, we had an extra special guest here at the Balloon Museum—Smokey Bear! We celebrated Smokey Bear's 82nd birthday during our weekly "Stories and Music in the Sky" program.

If you joined us and took a photo with Smokey Bear, we’d love for you to add it to the comments below! If you were unable to attend, come visit the Balloon Museum to see our special exhibit highlighting various special shape balloons, including the Smokey Bear Balloon, along with key facts and history.

The team from Smokey Bear Historical Park and New Mexico Forestry Division introduced Smokey Bear and shared more about his story.

We were also joined by the Town of Bernalillo Fire and Rescue who took part in the discussion about preventing forest fires. Families had the opportunity to learn more about the gear and equipment found on a fire truck. Some kiddos even got to hold the water hose, while others cooled off in a soft mist of water!

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate this special occasion with us. Remember, “only you can prevent forest fires!”(Smokey Bear)

Thank you, PNC, for making our "Stories and Music in the Sky" program possible.

Photography by Abby Boling.

( Stories & Music in the Sky )

Town of Bernalillo Smokey Bear Friends of Smokey Bear Balloon Maryse Lapierre, Français

08/14/2026

Volunteer at the Balloon Museum during the Balloon Fiesta ®
October 3 to 11, 2026

Sign up: CABQ.gov/BalloonMuseumFiestaVolunteers

Join our volunteer team and help lift hearts and spirits as we welcome visitors to our city. Volunteers are required to attend an initial training and commit to at least three 4-hour shifts. In exchange, you'll receive exceptional perks, including:

• a Balloon Museum Balloon Fiesta t-shirt,
• a general admission Balloon Fiesta ticket,
• food and snacks during shifts,
• and a parking pass.

We look forward to having you on our team as we work together to create a memorable experience for visitors from around the world. It is community members like you who help make the Balloon Museum shine during Balloon Fiesta.

If you have questions contact the Balloon Museum’s Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator, Diane Short: 505-768-6032 / [email protected]

Photography by Abby Boling