Oct. 29, 2026 Community Hall Newsletter

October is always something special in Albuquerque,

There's a certain excitement that comes with this time of year. The skies fill with balloons, fall festivals bring families together, and neighborhoods come alive with celebrations. This month, we welcomed visitors from around the world, celebrated the traditions that make our city unique, and found new ways to support one another as we headed into the cooler months.

The 54th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta once again put Albuquerque on the world stage, welcoming an estimated 901,720 guest visits, more than 50,000 above last year's attendance. Hundreds of balloons filled our skies, bringing people together for one of our most beloved traditions. Leading up to Fiesta, volunteers, City employees, and neighborhood groups also came together for Fiesta Fanatics, Imagine ABQ Day, and the One ABQ Fall Clean Up, helping Albuquerque look its best for everyone enjoying the season.

The celebrations continued throughout October. We honored Indigenous Peoples' Day with gatherings at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and Tiguex Park, recognizing the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous communities in New Mexico. Families enjoyed the changing season at the ABQ BioPark Harvest Festival, while Greek Fest filled the weekend with traditional food, music, and dancing. It was a wonderful reminder of just how many cultures and traditions we have the opportunity to experience right here at home.

We're also making improvements that will benefit Albuquerque long after the festivities end. We broke ground on a new Education Center at Albuquerque Museum, expanding opportunities for students and families to explore art, history, and culture. Our new “Quick Build” initiative is helping us make street safety improvements faster, bringing safer crossings, bike lanes, and other improvements to neighborhoods without the long timelines of traditional construction.

As the weather begins to cool, Albuquerque is also looking out for neighbors who could use a little extra support. The Albuquerque Backyard Harvest Share program is helping turn surplus backyard produce into fresh food for local families, while HEATS ON celebrated 34 years of volunteers helping older adults and residents with disabilities prepare their homes for winter. At Gateway West, the Sunset on the Mesa Trunk-or-Treat Resource Fair brought together more than 30 community organizations, connecting residents with important services while sharing an afternoon of Halloween fun.

Speaking of Halloween, there's been no shortage of spooky fun across Albuquerque! Our community centers have been busy with trunk-or-treats, haunted houses, and family-friendly celebrations, and Senior Affairs Halloween Happenings are bringing costumes, games, and festive activities to senior and multigenerational centers across the city. These are the kinds of traditions that make this season so enjoyable, giving families and neighbors a chance to spend time together and make new memories.

As October comes to a close, we hope everyone has had a chance to enjoy some of what makes fall in Albuquerque so memorable. The balloons may have landed, but there's still plenty happening in our neighborhoods, parks, and community spaces. Before we know it, the holiday season will be here, bringing even more opportunities to gather and celebrate.

Wishing you wonderful autumn season Albuquerque,

Mayor Tim Keller

This month, Mayor Tim Keller highlighted:

• Fall Festival at West Mesa Community Center!
• Make a Difference with One Albuquerque Volunteers