Harvest Festival

Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, 2026 | 9 am to 5 pm | Botanic Garden and Aquarium! 

Fall in love with Autumn all over again. The ABQ BioPark is excited to host the annual Harvest Festival at the Botanic Garden and Aquarium for two fun-filled days in October. Discover colorful landscapes throughout the Botanic Garden and Aquarium, enjoy live music, savor festival treats and brews, and make unforgettable memories with the whole family.

Harvest Festival Tickets 

Purchase your tickets today! 

Saturday, October 3

Sunday, October 4

Ticket Prices:

•  Adult: $18
•  Senior (65+): $9
•  Youth (3-12): $9
•  Child 2 & Under: Free
•  NMBPS Member Adult: $9
•  NMBPS Member Senior: $4.50
•  NMBPS Member Youth: $4.50

Admission includes access to the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden and Aquarium. NMBPS Members must show vaild ID.

Entertainment Schedule 

Stroll through the Botanic Garden and Aquarium and enjoy the sounds of talented local bands, bringing live music and a festive soundtrack to your Harvest Festival experience.

Saturday, October 3

Festival Green

9:30 to 11 am – JD Nash & The Rash of Cash (Alternative Country)
11:30 am to 1 pm – Levi Dean & The Mesa Rats (Americana/Folk)
1:30 to 3 pm – The Larry Hamilton Band (Country)
3:30 to 4:30 pm – The Squarebodies (Bluegrass)

The Plaza

9 to 10:30 am – Trio Carrillo (Mariachi)
11 am to 12:30 pm – Watermelon Mountain Jug Band (Folk/Bluegrass)
1 to 2:30 pm – High Desert Playboys (Americana/Folk)
3 to 4:45 pm – Spanish Broom (Flamenco)

Gulf Coast

10 to 11:30 am – Dos Gatos (Americana/ Blues)
12 to 1:30 pm – Flambeaux (New Orleans Jazz)
2 to 3:30 pm – D’Santi Nava (Flamenco)

 Ocean Habitat

10:30 am to 12 pm – Handpan Dan (Variety)
12:30 to 2 pm – Everette Ortiz’s Violin (Variety)
2:30 to 4 pm – The Real Matt Jones (Alternative Country)

The Farm

9 to 10:30 am – High Desert Playboys (Americana/Folk)
11 am to 12:30 pm – Jug o’Punch (Irish/American)
1 to 2:30 pm – Central Avenue String Band (Variety)
3 to 5 pm – Lady Fingers and a Thing’r Too (Swing)

Ceremonial Garden

11:30 am to 1 pm – Burying Caesar (Folk/Singer-Songwriter)
1:30 to 3 pm – Juan Kuster (Variety)
3:30 to 5 pm – Kevin Kinane (Recycle Man)

Sunday, October 4

Festival Green

9:30 to 11 am – Felix y Los Gatos (Americana/ Blues)
11:30 am to 1 pm – Just Velvet (Variety)
1:30 to 3 pm – Danny Duran Band (Country)
3:30 to 4:30 pm – Toni and the Kickback Counselors (Red Dirt Country)

The Plaza

9 to 10:30 am – NM Marimba (Latin)
11 am to 12:30 pm – Watermelon Mountain Jug Band (Folk/Bluegrass)
1 to 2:30 pm – The Eleanors (Americana)
3 to 4:45 pm – High Desert Playboys (Americana/Folk)

Gulf Coast

10 to 11:30 am – Ryan Smith Cello (Variety)
12 to 1:30 pm – The Real Matt Jones (Alternative Country)
2 to 3:30 pm – D’Santi Nava (Flamenco)

Ocean Habitat

10:30 am to 12 pm – Everette Ortiz’s Violin (Variety
12:30 to 2 pm – Ryan Smith Cello (Variety)
2:30 to 4 pm – Handpan Dan (Variety)

The Farm

9 to 10:30 am – Levi Dean & the Mesa Rats (Americana/Folk)
11 am to 12:30 pm – High Desert Playboys (Americana/Folk)
1 to 2:30 pm – No Strings Attached (Bluegrass)
3 to 5 pm – Lady Fingers and a Thing’r Too (Swing)

Ceremonial Garden 

11:30 am to 1 pm – Gilbert Uribe (Latin/ Reggae)
1:30 to 3 pm – Juan Kuster (Variety)
3:30 to 5 pm – Kevin Kinane (Recycle Man)

Eats & Treats 

Reward yourself with the flavors of the season! Harvest-inspired eats and treats will be available throughout the venue with plenty of delicious options to discover as you explore the event. From seasonal specialties to tasty treats, there’s something to satisfy every craving. Fresh cider will be sold by the cup during Harvest Festival. Come hungry and enjoy a taste of fall at the Garden!

Full menu coming soon!

Local Artisans 

The festival will be packed with local makers and their handmade products. Albuquerque style will be available from artisans for your shopping and souvenir needs. 

Discovery Stations 

Kids of all ages will be able to learn at Discovery Stations from knowledgeable volunteers. These educational posts are exciting activities that plant seeds of curiosity. Discovery Stations are available from 10 am to 4 pm each day.

Farmhouse

• Animal Fibers Discovery Station – Learn about the different hair fibers harvested from domesticated animals.
• Heritage Farm Quilters Demonstration – Watch a live quilting demonstration Saturday, October 3 from 10 am to 2 pm. 

Heritage Farm Crop Fields

• Chile Discovery Station – Discover the natural and agricultural history of New Mexico's famous crop.
• Flower to Fruit Discovery Station – Learn how flowers become fruit.
• Pollinators Discovery Station – Explore the diversity of New Mexico pollinators and their role in the food supply.
• Farm Herbs Discovery Station – Discover the herbs found in a 1930s farmhouse.
• Chocolate and Vanilla Discovery Station – Learn about the biology and culinary impact of two of the Americas' most famous foods.
• Farm Wildlife Discovery Station – Meet the Bosque wildlife that calls Heritage Farm home, including porcupines, coyotes, and roadrunners.

Farm Animal Yards

• Horse and Cow Residents – Learn about the horses and cows that call Heritage Farm home.
• Small Animal Barn Residents – Learn about the chickens, turkeys, sheep, and donkeys at the Heritage Farm.

Deep Dive Learning Center

• Visit the Aquarium for Discovery Stations on sharks, otters, and mollusks, and get up close with some of the most recognizable aquatic animals.

Kids' Activities

Free face painting will be getting you ready for a fall photoshoot. 

Heritage Farm

Cider Barn 

The barn has been recently upgraded to improve efficiency and meet 21st-century food-grade standards. Each fall, BioPark staff harvest between 9,000 and 10,000 pounds of apples, which are pressed inside the barn to produce the fresh cider served at the event. Make your way to The Heritage Farm to see cider press demonstrations from 10:30 am to noon both days. 

In honor of the change of seasons, make your way to Heritage Farm to meet and learn more about the animal residents from the caretakers who know them best.

10:15 am –Arrive early to see the horses and cows make their way out to pasture.

1–2 pm Power Hour

• Farm Chats – Learn about the small‑animal barn residents and the horse and cow pasture residents.
• Donkey Time – Donkeys enjoy their shared pasture, and guests can learn about their personalities and routines. 
• Animal Enrichment – Check out how the animals receive enrichment activities that spark curiosity and keep them active.

4 pm Dinner Hour Enjoy a special animal feeding moment as the residents enjoy their evening meal.

Botanic Garden Information

This is a rain or shine event. 

Guests are welcome to bring chairs, coolers, and picnics.

Prohibited Items: glass containers, weapons of any kind, alcohol, pop up tents, canopies, flower bouquets, flower petals, balloons, sports equipment, Bluetooth speakers or other amplified sound devices, and piñatas are not allowed. Pets are not allowed at the ABQ BioPark; only qualified service animals may enter.  

Photo permits are not for sale during special events including the Harvest Festival.

Botanic Garden on Google Maps

The City of Albuquerque is the sole provider of tickets for events at City venues. We do not support resale ticket sites or accept tickets issued by third parties

Thank you to our sponsors!