Imagine over 500 colorful hot air balloons rising up at dawn over the New Mexico landscape… there's truly nothing like it, and the place to experience it is each October at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Spectators and balloon pilots from all over the world gather (some even camping in their RVs) to watch mass ascensions held in the mornings and night events like a 'glowdeo' held in the evening. Music stages are set up during the day and performers stroll through the festival crowds. Every year the Balloon Fiesta kicks off on the first Saturday of October and continues for nine days.Imagine over 500 colourful hot air balloons rising up at dawn over the New Mexico landscape… there's truly nothing like it. The place to experience it is each October at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Spectators and balloon pilots from all over the world gather (some even camping in their caravans) to watch the mass ascensions held in the mornings, and night events like the 'glowdeo'. Music stages are set up during the day and performers stroll through the festival crowds, which can number 750,000 people.