Anderson Theater: Maxie, Patty, and Family
Our newly renovated theater now includes new seats, a new screen and hearing assist devices available upon request at the information desk. All theater programming is included with museum admission. The Anderson Family Theater features a rotation of short films, documentaries, and ballooning adventure highlights. During special events this theater also serves as an educational space featuring talks and demonstrations by field experts, and our museum collections team. Theater seats are available on a first come, first serve basis. Thank you to New Mexico True and the Anderson family for making this possible.
Balloon Fiesta® 2026: Balloon Museum Lecture Series
All talks will take place in the Balloon Museum's Anderson Family Theater at 10 am. Seating is limited, so grab your spot early.
Saturday, October 3,at 10 am: Alan Eustace, the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) world record holder for the highest-altitude free-fall jump, will chronicle his experience in "Stratosphere Exploration."
Sunday, October 4, at 10am: Saburo Ichiyoshi, 2026 FAI Hall of Fame inductee, presents "Paper Balloons." Learn about the Japanese Fu-go balloons and ballooning in Japan.
Monday, October 5, at 10am: Scott Gneiting of Kubicek Balloons presents "Ballooning Around the World Extraordinary " journeys, inspiring pilots and your first steps into the world of ballooning.
Saturday, October 10, at 10am: James Hanley, Art Appraiser and Historian, presents his research on a recent collections donation by Cynthia, "Bear A Sign of the Times: The Story of a 19th-Century Balloon Tavern Sign."
Theater Show Times During Balloon Fiesta®
Please note this schedule is the same every day except Monday, October 5 as the theater will be closed after the morning lecture. All programming in the Anderson Family Theater is included with the price of admission to the Museum. Seating is limited so please be physically present in the theater to grab your spot early.
Exhibit Highlight: Here at the Balloon Museum we also have a replica of the Breitling Orbiter 3 on display to highlight Bertrand Piccard's and Brian Jones' remarkable feat.
The Balloonists
1 hour 26 minutes
Showing at 1 pm and 3 pm
(Except on Monday, October 5.)
About: In the winter of 1999, Swiss explorer Bertrand Piccard and British flight instructor Brian Jones embarked on an attempt to complete the last great aviation challenge of the 20th century – to circumnavigate the globe, nonstop in a hot-air balloon. Rival teams are lifting off across the world and the race is on to be the first to write their name in the history books. Working together, Piccard and Jones must overcome extreme weather conditions, survive potentially fatal technical failures and endure increasing mental and physical exhaustion if they want to make it.
- Directed by John Dower
- A Red Bull Studios documentary
- Sponsored by Jolt Film
Theater Show Times Through September 31
Please note that the following schedule remains the same every day that the Balloon Museum is open unless otherwise stated. All programming in the Anderson Family Theater is included with the price of admission to the Museum. Seating is limited so please be physically present in the theater to grab your spot early.
Above and Beyond: a Balloon Museum Story
(Followed by additional ballooning content.)
55 minutes series of short films; Rated G
10am —11am
About: Above and Beyond: a Balloon Museum Story
A story of reflection and celebration produced by Sopapilla Productions and narrated by Steve Stucker.
About: Ballooning Around the World Footage
Enjoy a global journey from up in the skies with short films of hot air balloon flights by Ruedi and Priska Abbuhl, followed by more ballooning themed content!
Hindenburg: The New Evidence
55 minutes; Rated PG
11am — 12pm
About:
"80 years after the world's largest airship ignited in a giant fireball, newly discovered footage sparks a re-investigation of what exactly caused the Hindenburg disaster." -IMDB.com
- PBS NOVA documentary
- Directed by Kirk Wolfinger
- Written and narrated by Rushmore DeNooyer
- Starring Guillaume DeSyon and Pat Doyen