Skip to main content


News and Announcements

Open year-round, the Balloon Museum is a vibrant hub where locals and visitors from around the world can explore the art and science of ballooning. Discover cutting-edge innovations in aviation, learn about the achievements of global explorers, and experience our one-of-a-kind collection of artifacts — including original gondolas from historic balloon flights.

We also bring you updates on new collaborations, museum enhancements, as-well-as, highlights from major ballooning competitions and the broader ballooning community. Join us for the action, excitement, and adventure. Bookmark this page and follow us on social media to stay up to date on museum expansion projects, special program announcements, and ballooning news.


logo for the 69 Gordon Bennett competition taking place in 2026 in Germany


Gordon Bennett 2026

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

  • Announcement: August 20, 2026
  • External Ballooning Events

    Who: Gas Balloonists
    What:  FAI World "Long Distance" Gas Balloon Championship, the 69th Coupe Aéronautique Gordon Bennett
    When:  Launch date: August 28, 2026 (weather permitting) through September 5, 2026
    Where: Gladbeck, Germany or tune in remotely in the official Facebook group.

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

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, Germany.

Official Facebook Group with live updates 

[ ]=

Two volunteers inside a gondola with hot air balloons floating in the sky behind them.


Call for Balloon Museum Volunteers During the Balloon Fiesta®

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

  • Announcement: July 18, 2026
  • Balloon Museum's Volunteer Program 

    Who: Community members from the Albuquerque-metro area
    What:  Join our volunteer team during the Balloon Fiesta
    When:  October 3 to 11, 2026
    Where: Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum 

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

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]

Sing-up to join our volunteer team 

[ ]=

Program logo for Stories and Music in the Sky, which incorporates PNC's logo who sponsors this program.


ABQ Mom's Choice Awards

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

  • Announcement: May 15, 2026
  • Balloon Museum Receives Multiple Awards and Acknowledgements

    Who: The Balloon Museum and Balloon Museum programs
    What:  ABQ Mom's Choice Awards recipient
    When:  May 2026
    Where: Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum 

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

Our Stories and Music in the Sky program was recently recognized with ABQ Mom's Choice Awards for Best Storytime and Best Music Class, and the Balloon Museum was named among the Top 5 Museums and Top 5 STEAM Programs. These honors reflect the dedication of an incredible village made up of staff, volunteers, families, and supporters—including funding partner PNC—who help make these experiences possible.

Led by Maryse Lapierre, Stories and Music in the Sky is a STEAM-centered literacy program for children under age six. Maryse shares stories in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language, while the Balloon Museum's Education Curator, Anita Fernandez, and a dedicated team of volunteers bring learning to life through extensive curriculum planning, hands-on arts and crafts activities.

Learn about the Balloon Museum's educational programs

[ ]=

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color


Free Military Admission

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

  • Announcement: May 01, 2026
  • National Endowment for the Arts Blue Star Museum

    Who: All retired and active military service members and their families.
    What:  Enjoy free admission and thank you for your service.
    When:  Invitation runs from May 16 (Armed Forces Day) and ends September 7 (Labor Day)
    Where: Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum 

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

The Balloon Museum has joined museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to U.S. military personnel and their families beginning on Armed Forces Day through Labor Day.

Learn more about blue star museums

[ ]=

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

We are Hiring:  General Maintenance Worker

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

  • Announcement: April 20, 2026
  • Employment through the City of Albuquerque's Arts and Culture Department

    Who: General Maintenance Worker 
    What:  Full time position at the Balloon Museum
    When:  Application period runs from April 22 through May28, 2026
    Where: Apply at www.GovernmentJobs.com

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

Let your creativity and problem-solving skills soar!  This is an opportunity to be part of the dynamic team at the Balloon Museum.  As an integral member of the Building Maintenance crew, this position works closely with all museum staff in fostering a safe, welcoming, and enriching museum environment.  As a technical lead working directly under the Building Maintenance Supervisor, you will have the opportunity to hone your leadership experience, learn new skills, help maintain a state-of-the-art facility and grounds, and be part of exciting projects and initiatives at the museum.  

aPPLY FOR THIS POSITION

[ ]=

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

ABQ Mom's Choice Award Nominee

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

  • Announcement: February 3, 2026
  • Programs and Exhibits

    Who: The Balloon Museum and our Stories and Music in the Sky program
    What:  Nominated for the 2026 ABQ Mom's Choice Award
    When:  Voting closes on April 3, 2026 
    Where: Cast your votes at www.ABQMom.com

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

We are excited to share the Balloon Museum has been nominated for the ABQ Moms' Choice Awards in the following three categories! Vote now through April 3, by visiting www.ABQMom.com and look for us listed under:

  • CATEGORY 1: Best Museum
    → Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

  • CATEGORY 2: Best Storytime
    → Stories and Music in the Sky at the Balloon Museum

  • CATEGORY 3: Best Educational Experience for Kids!
    →  Stories and Music in the Sky

    ABQ Moms does allow for individuals to vote multiple times to amplify support for their local favorites. Thank you PNC for helping make this possible! Thank you, Enchanted Playground and Keeping Up in Albuquerque for nominating us. Thank you ABQ Moms for including us in the ABQ Moms' Choice Awards. 

cast your votes 

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

Student Art Contest: Balloons Over Route 66

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

  • Announcement: December 17, 2025
  • Education and Exhibit Design

    Who: Students, grades K-12, who are residents of the greater Albuquerque Metro area
    What:  Artwork submission (visit the "learn more" button below for more information)
    When:  Deadline for submissions February 20th, 2026
    Where: Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

In celebration of the Route 66 Centennial, the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum is hosting an art exhibition featuring a black and white mural by a local artist with colorful hot air balloons floating above. This call for artists is for school age (K-12) youth who are invited to create original artwork of colorful hot air balloons. Up to 50 submissions will be selected to be enlarged and printed for the exhibit. The selected artists will have their work featured in the museum’s exhibit that will be on display for approximately one year. Featured artists and their families will be invited to an opening reception.

LEARN MORE about participating

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

Statewide Outreach with the Zozobra Balloon Crew

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

  • Announcement: January 1, 2026
  • Outreach at External Ballooning Events

    Who: Balloon Museum staff join the Zozobra balloon crew and the Kiwanis Club to tour the New Mexico
    What:  Outreach at statewide balloon festivals
    When and Where:  Coming to a balloon festival near you! Please see the event line up below.

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

The Balloon Museum team is excited to partner with the Zozobra balloon crew from the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe to participate in balloon festivals throughout New Mexico and occasionally visit communities in neighboring states. We hope you will come out and join us! NOTE: These events are dependent upon weather conditions. Specifics for each event can be found through the hosting organization's website or social media linked below.

[ ]=

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

Groundbreaking: Outdoor Balloon Adventure (Phase 1)

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

  • News: October 9, 2025
  • Exhibit News:  Museum Expansion / New Exhibit

    Who: Balloon Museum staff, CABQ Officials and local community members.
    What: Groundbreaking ceremony
    When: October 8, 2025
    Where: Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum

divider line that is the Balloon Museum's pink color

We are excited to share special moments from the groundbreaking of the Outdoor Balloon Adventure space (phase one). Thank you to everyone who joined us and became an active part of the groundbreaking celebration.