2024 Official Calendar
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Printed in the U.S.A. ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA® 4401 Alameda Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113 Tel: 505.821.1000 • Toll Free: 1.888.422.7277 Fax: 505.828.2887 • Email: balloons@balloonfiesta.com Website: www.balloonfiesta.com Balloon Fiesta Merchandise: BalloonFiestaStuff.com UPCOMING BALLOON FIESTAS 2024 • OCTOBER 5 - OCTOBER 13 2025 • OCTOBER 4 - OCTOBER 12 2026 • OCTOBER 3 - OCTOBER 11 TRAVEL PLANNER Experience Balloon Fiesta in Video Grab your mobile device or tablet and scan the QR code on each page. You’ll be presented with a video of great images from Balloon Fiesta. To experience even more Balloon Fiesta, scan the QR code to the right and check out the Balloon Fiesta Live! archives. Cover photo credit Triston Garcia Photo by Scott Hughes 253362_Cvr.indd 2 5/10/23 11:59 AM
2025 2024
1234 56789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SMTWTFS JANUARY 12345 6789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SMTWTFS JULY 12345 6789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SMTWTFS APRIL 1234 56789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SMTWTFS OCTOBER 1 2345678 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 SMTWTFS FEBRUARY 12 3456789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ⁄31 25 26 27 28 29 30 SMTWTFS AUGUST 123 456789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SMTWTFS MAY 1 2345678 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23⁄30 24 25 26 27 28 29 SMTWTFS NOVEMBER 1 2345678 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 30 24 ⁄31 25 26 27 28 29 SMTWTFS MARCH 123456 789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SMTWTFS SEPTEMBER 1234567 89 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SMTWTFS JUNE 123456 789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SMTWTFS DECEMBER
123456 789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SMTWTFS JANUARY 123456 789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SMTWTFS JULY 123456 789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SMTWTFS APRIL 12345 6789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SMTWTFS OCTOBER 123 456789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 SMTWTFS FEBRUARY 123 456789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SMTWTFS AUGUST 1234 56789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SMTWTFS MAY 12 3456789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SMTWTFS NOVEMBER 12 3456789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 SMTWTFS MARCH 1234567 89 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 SMTWTFS SEPTEMBER 1 2345 678 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23⁄30 24 25 26 27 28 29 SMTWTFS JUNE 1234567 89 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 SMTWTFS DECEMBER 253362_Grd.indd 1 5/5/23 2:10 PM
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Photo by Triston Garcia
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest gathering of balloons in the world. Featuring more than 550 balloons and 14 balloon sessions spanning a nine-day period the first week of October. It attracts nearly a million people to the event annually, with almost as many watching online at Balloon Fiesta Live!
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Sunday Monday TuesdayWednesdayThursday Friday Saturday First Quarter Full Moon New Moon Last Quarter New Year’s Day Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 2024
December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S February 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 S M T W T F S 253362_Grd.indd 3 5/5/23 2:10 PM
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Photo by Bennie Bos
The First World Hot Air Balloon Championships took place in Albuquerque in February 1973 with more than 100 balloons in attendance.
With the shift to October for Fiesta, the local balloon club continues to hold a balloon rally in February. It’s called Friends and Lovers.
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Sunday Monday TuesdayWednesdayThursday Friday Saturday First Quarter New Moon Last Quarter Full Moon Groundhog Day Lincoln’s Birthday
Day Ash Wednesday
February 2024
Valentine’s
Washington’s Birthday Observed Presidents’ Day Washington’s Birthday
January 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S March 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 253362_Grd.indd 5 5/5/23 2:10 PM
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Photo by Don Henderson
About 20% of the balloons that are invited to participate in Balloon Fiesta are Special Shapes. Many of them fly all week long. Others wait for their featured slot on Thursdays and Fridays.
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Sunday Monday TuesdayWednesdayThursday Friday Saturday Full Moon First Quarter New Moon Last Quarter St. Patrick’s Day Spring Begins Easter Sunday Palm Sunday Good Friday
March 2024
February 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 S M T W T F S April 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S 253362_Grd.indd 7 5/5/23 2:10 PM
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Photo by Jonathan Murray
Balloons come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. It makes for an interesting mix when the green flag goes up and inflations get underway for a Mass Ascension.
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Sunday Monday TuesdayWednesdayThursday Friday Saturday Full Moon First Quarter New Moon Last Quarter All Fools’ Day Earth Day Passover Begins Administrative Professionals Day
April 2024
March 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S May 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 253362_Grd.indd 9 5/5/23 2:10 PM
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Photo by Triston Garcia
Yellow has been the most popular color for balloons due to visibility in the sky. However in recent years red, white and blue are growing in popularity. That color combination has also led to the increase in the star pattern on balloons, especially in the United States.
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Sunday Monday TuesdayWednesdayThursday Friday Saturday First Quarter New Moon Last Quarter Full Moon Last Quarter Ascension Day Mother’s Day Armed Forces Day Memorial Day
May 2024
Teacher Appreciation Week
April 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S June 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S 253362_Grd.indd 11 5/15/23 12:39 PM
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Photo by Triston Garcia
Dawn Patrol balloons perform a mini Balloon Glow on the ground before taking off pre-dawn. While they put on a show for our guests, other pilots appreciate seeing what direction the winds at altitude are blowing before they inflate.
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May 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S July 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 253362_Grd.indd 13 5/5/23 2:11 PM
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Photo by Triston Garcia
While “normal” balloons are 70-100 feet tall, remote-control ballooning is the latest addition to the sport of hot air ballooning. Built just like the big boys, these miniature versions are about 1/4 the size of their big brothers. Balloon Fiesta likes to call these little ones, Globitos or little balloons.
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Sunday Monday TuesdayWednesdayThursday Friday Saturday Full Moon New Moon Last Quarter First Quarter Independence Day
July 2024
June 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 253362_Grd.indd 15 5/5/23 2:11 PM
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Photo by Triston Garcia
Special-shaped balloons are always popular at Balloon Fiesta. It’s no wonder, with more than 100 shapes joining the “regular’ shapes in the sky, you don’t know where to look next.
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2024 Sunday Monday TuesdayWednesdayThursday Friday Saturday Last Quarter Full Moon First Quarter New Moon
August
July 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S September 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S 253362_Grd.indd 17 5/5/23 2:11 PM
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Photo by Bennie Bos
The View From Above is spectacular, especially when you get a chance to see balloons in various stages of inflation, all tied off to the chase truck for safety.
5 4 3 2 1 67 12 11 10 98 1314 19 18 17 16 15 2021 26 25 24 23 22 2728 30 29 September 2024 Sunday Monday TuesdayWednesdayThursday Friday Saturday Last Quarter Full Moon New Moon First Quarter Labor Day Grandparents Day Patriot Day Autumn Begins
August 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S October 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 253362_Grd.indd 19 5/5/23 2:11 PM
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Photo by Bennie Bos
Balloon Fiesta Park is about 360 acres with about 56 of those acres dedicated to a fully grassed launch site. With 550 balloons, every inch of the field is covered with balloons, and people enjoying the event.
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Sunday Monday TuesdayWednesdayThursday Friday Saturday Last Quarter Full Moon First Quarter New Moon
Hashanah
Kippur
Day
Halloween
October 2024
Rosh
Yom
Columbus Day Indigenous Peoples’ Day National Boss
Sukkot
September 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S November 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S 253362_Grd.indd 21 5/15/23 12:39 PM
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Photo by Bennie Bos
Balloon Fiesta guests can get right out on the field with the balloons. It’s one of the few ballooning events where this is permitted.
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Sunday Monday TuesdayWednesdayThursday Friday Saturday Last Quarter Full Moon New Moon First Quarter All Saints’ Day Election Day Veterans Day
November 2024
Thanksgiving Day
October 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S December 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 253362_Grd.indd 23 5/5/23 2:11 PM
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Photo by Bud Betz
Balloons fly on the simple fact that hot air rises and provides the lift to escape the ground. When it’s time to come down, the pilot opens the top of the balloon, letting the hot air escape. Thus the air cools and the balloon comes back to mother earth. Here the pilot opens the top wide as part of a pre-flight checklist item before taking to the sky.
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Winter
Christmas Day Hanukkah Begins
Harbor Day, 1941
Begins
November 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 S M T W T F S January 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 S M T W T F S 253362_Mnt.indd 1 5/5/23 2:14 PM
official 2024 edition 9 780964065734 51000> ISBN 978-0-9640657-3-4 $10.00 OFFICIAL CALENDAR OF THE ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA® SINCE 1972 www.balloonfiesta.com | Suggested Retail: $10.00 Printed in U.S.A. January May September February June October March July November April August December 253362_Mnt.indd 2 4/20/23 9:52 AM
