The Observation Deck - 2024

Please read carefully.

The Observation Deck is held RAIN, SHINE OR WIND. The meals and activities at the Observation Deck and the Balloon Museum proceed for all sessions regardless of balloon flight status. Sales are final. Refunds or cancelations are not given based on the flight status of the hot air balloons.

Balloon Fiesta® Sessions are the balloon flying events or balloon glows that occur at Balloon Fiesta Park during Balloon Fiesta. There are 14 Balloon Fiesta Sessions, nine morning sessions and five evening sessions.  

A Museum Dining Event is the ticketed viewing and dining event held at the Balloon Museum while overlooking the neighboring Balloon Fiesta Sessions, The Museum Dining Events are  presented by the Balloon Museum Foundation. The Museum Dining Events are held simultaneously during the Balloon Fiesta Sessions. Museum Dining Events tickets are good for one session. 

Canceled Museum Dining Event 
While the weather may occasionally prohibit a ballooning session from taking place, it is rare that Museum Dining Events at the Balloon Museum will be closed entirely. The Museum Dining Event is primarily indoors allowing it to occur rain or shine. If the Balloon Fiesta Park or the Balloon Museum area is deemed unsafe by weather or world event and by Safety Officials, or the area has been damaged by weather and management determines that it is not hospitable for service, Museum Dining Events may be canceled.  

 If AAIBMF cancels a Museum Dining Event, the following options are available:

• Transfer of tickets to the next available session. Museum Dining Events are often sold out, but if there are available tickets, we can transfer you to another viewing event.
• Refund. If you are unable to attend another Museum Dining Events session and if due to extreme weather or world events and access to the Balloon Museum is not possible as determined by AIBF or City of Albuquerque, your tickets may be refunded.  

For any questions about your Museum Dining Events visit email us at [email protected] or call us directly at (505) 880-0500.

In the unfortunate event that you are unable to attend your purchased session, you may transfer your tickets to another individual. The recipient agrees to abide by all policies including the AAIBMF Covid policy.

If parking passes have been mailed or delivered to ticket purchaser, additional parking passes will not be issued.

All youth under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Individual youth tickets must be purchased with an adult ticket.

PARKING PASSES
Observation Deck Tickets include one parking pass for every three tickets purchased.

A parking pass is required to access the museum traffic route and to park at the Balloon Museum during Museum Dining Events. Be sure to bring your pass with you for your ticketed session.

Parking passes are delivered according to the date your order was placed: 

UNTIL SEPT. 22

A hard-copy, individualized parking pass will be mailed, at no additional charge via USPS first-class mail for orders received up to September 22nd.

SEPT. 23 - OCT. 6
There are 3 ways to get your parking pass(es):

1. Will-Call at the Balloon Museum Gift Shoppe (No charge) during these hours:
   Sept. 23 – Oct. 4, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
   Oct. 3 – 12, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
   NOTE: Plan to pick up your pass 12 hours or more before your ticketed session. You will NOT be able to pick up your parking pass upon entry to your ticketed session.
2. USPS Priority Shipping ($11.05) or USPS Priority Express ($28)
   Allow 5 business days for Priority shipping option. Allow 3 business days for Priority Express shipping.
3. Use a Courier Service
   They will need to pick up tickets at the museum gift shoppe according to the hours above. The museum does not make courier arrangements. You are welcome to contact the courier of your choice. 

OCTOBER 7-12
Will-Call at the Balloon Museum Gift Shoppe (No charge) during these hours:10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
NOTE: Plan to pick up your pass 12 hours or more before your ticketed session. You will NOT be able to pick up your parking pass upon entry to your ticketed session.

LOST OR STOLEN PARKING PASSES
Lost, forgotten or stolen parking passes cannot be replaced but you may purchase a replacement pass by calling (505) 880-0500 or emailing [email protected]. The parking pass is good for the Balloon Museum Lot only. Each parking pass has a map of how to drive to the Balloon Museum Lot. Please follow closely as traffic patterns are specific during Balloon Fiesta season.

ADA PARKING
The Balloon Museum Lot Parking is connected to the Balloon Museum.  ADA parking spaces are available for those with a valid tag.  If you do not have a Museum Lot parking pass, follow the parking attendant instructions to park in the Balloon Fiesta lots.  Please note, some Balloon Fiesta parking lots are quite a walking distance from the Balloon Museum.