STORY: Hundreds of hot-air balloons rose over Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Saturday (October 3) as the 2026 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta got underway.

The event opened with a drone light show at approximately 5:45 a.m. local time (1145 GMT), featuring images of hot-air balloons, New Mexico's state bird, the roadrunner, as well as chili peppers and Mexican-themed skulls.

The festival's signature Mass Ascension began at around 7:00 a.m. local time (1300 GMT), with hundreds of balloons launching into the clear morning sky above Balloon Fiesta Park.

The nine-day event is considered the world's largest ballooning festival. Organizers say more than 500 balloons are scheduled to take part during the fiesta, which runs through October 11.

Founded in 1972 with just 13 balloons launching from a shopping mall parking lot, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown into one of New Mexico's best-known annual events and attracts visitors and balloon enthusiasts from around the world.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO, UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 3, 2026) (ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA - No resales) (MUTE)

1. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF DRONE SHOW REPRESENTING HOT-AIR BALLOONS AND NEW MEXICO’S STATE BIRD THE GREAT ROADRUNNER

2. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT AIR BALLOONS DURING INFLATION

3. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT AIR BALLOONS LIFTING OFF

4. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT-AIR BALLOON IN FLIGHT

5. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT-AIR BALLOONS SEEN FROM AFAR

6. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF PEOPLE AT THE ALBUQUERQUE INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA PARK

7. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT AIR BALLOONS DURING INFLATION

8. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT-AIR BALLOON IN FLIGHT

9. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF BURNERS FIRING

10. VARIOUS OF TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT AIR BALLOONS LIFTING OFF

11. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT-AIR BALLOONS IN FLIGHT

12. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT AIR BALLOONS LIFTING OFF

13. VARIOUS OF TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT AIR BALLOONS DURING INFLATION

14. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT-AIR BALLOONS IN FLIGHT

15. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT AIR BALLOONS LIFTING OFF

16. VARIOUS OF TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT-AIR BALLOONS IN FLIGHT

17. VARIOUS OF TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF COW-SHAPED HOT AIR BALLOON IN FLIGHT

18. TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF SMOKEY BEAR-SHAPED HOT AIR BALLOON DURING INFLATION

19. VARIOUS OF TIMELAPSE VIDEO OF HOT-AIR BALLOONS IN FLIGHT