ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — It’s Balloon time Albuquerque! The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta was given a green flag to fly on day one of the fiesta.
The 2026 edition of the drone show got started around 5:45 a.m. without a hitch on Saturday.
The dawn patrol was up shortly after, and by 6:30 a.m. crowds got the news they had been hoping for: A green flag.
Balloons preparing for launch Saturday morning
Just before 7 a.m., the New Mexico Chile Flight conducted a flyover during the national anthem.
Shortly after, the balloons started taking off for the first mass ascension of the 2026 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta!
At least one balloon had a rough landing when it got caught in power lines near Balloon Fiesta Park.
For the latest on all things Balloon Fiesta, check out the Balloon Fiesta page on KOB.com.
