Event Details

Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area and Los Luceros Historic Site present the first-ever Rio Grande Sky Fiesta, where the vibrant culture and close-knit community of Northern New Mexico come together in celebration of breathtaking landscapes and the tradition of hot air balloons. Visitors can get up close with the balloon crews and witness the thrilling spectacle of a mass balloon ascension on Saturday or Sunday morning, as colorful balloons fill the skies over the Rio Grande. Gates open at 6:40 a.m. on Saturday and launch time is between 7:15 – 7:45 a.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for the balloon glow on Saturday and the balloons will be inflated by 5:30 p.m. Gates open at 5:40 a.m. on Sunday and launch time is between 6:15 – 6:45 a.m.

With your admission, you’ll also have the chance to explore Los Luceros Historic Site, a picturesque 148-acre property along the east bank of the river. The property includes a 19th century Capilla (chapel), Victorian cottage, guesthouse, and farmyard with Navajo Churro Sheep and Jennies (female donkeys). On Saturday evening, visitors can enjoy an evening balloon glow to see the balloons stationed throughout the field, lit up by their flames. Visitors can grab a bite to eat from a couple of participating food trucks.

Sunday is Los Luceros’ monthly Dawn ‘Til Dusk Day, where admission is free to New Mexico residents. Along with the morning balloon ascension, the site will also host a special book talk at 1 p.m. with award-winning international travel journalists Judith Fein and Paul Ross. They will talk about their latest book, Slow Travel New Mexico: Unforgettable Personal Experiences in the Land of Enchantment. Judith will share their ideas behind “slow travel,” and Paul will perform cowboy poetry based on the sites visited in the book. A few guests featured in the book will talk to the audience as well. Judith and Paul have contributed to more than 130 publications throughout their careers. Judith gave a TEDx talk about Deep Travel and blogs for Psychology Today about Transformative Travel. She has given acclaimed keynote talks and is often interviewed and quoted across all media. Paul is known for his striking photography and writing, and he performs original, entertaining cowboy poetry as his alter ego, PJ Ross.

Safety Note:

Los Luceros Historic Site highly encourages visitors to bring flashlights and to walk carefully through the fields, as gopher holes, uneven surfaces, and other tripping risks are possible. Many of the paths are unpaved or made of gravel and grass. Visitors must be comfortable walking uneven surfaces in the dark or in low light. Unfortunately, because of these hazards, the field is not handicapped accessible.

Admission Details:

Saturday, November 2: $10 adults/$5 for children 16 and younger, and includes admission to the morning mass ascension, entry to the site and historic buildings, AND the evening balloon glow. Visitors MUST show their wristband or their electronic ticket email confirmation to participate in the evening balloon glow. Admission is free to Museum of New Mexico Foundation Members, Native/Tribal affiliations, and New Mexico disabled veterans and can be secured at the admission desk. Tickets available online at https://my.nmculture.org/33603/41755

Sunday, November 3: Free for New Mexico Residents, $7 for non-residents, and free for children 16 and younger, Native/Tribal affiliations, and New Mexico disabled veterans and can be secured at the admission desk. Tickets available online at https://my.nmculture.org/33603/41756

For more information about the NRGNHA Sky Fiesta visit https://riograndeskyfiesta.com/.