If you’ve never seen the colorful, magical mass ascension of hot air balloons, there’s no better place for a first-time view than Albuquerque, New Mexico. From Oct. 7 to 15, more than 500 hot air balloons take to the skies during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The largest event of its kind in the world, this year’s edition carries a special astronomical bonus, as the annual solar eclipse will fall during the festival dates, beginning in New Mexico at 9:13 a.m. on Oct. 14.
The state known as the Land of Enchantment is one of eight lucky enough to fall in the path of the eclipse for a view of the rare “ring of fire,” during which the moon leaves a thin outer ring of the sun uncovered. This brief phenomenon lasts for a mere four minutes and 48 seconds.
“Experiencing the International Balloon Fiesta and Annular Solar Eclipse in Albuquerque together will be the event of a lifetime,” said Sam Parks, executive director, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. “We are working closely with experts from NASA to make sure our guests can get the most out of our New Mexico skies in October.”
To help visitors maximize their experience, representatives from NASA will be on hand to give out 80,000 pairs of solar eclipse viewing glasses. NASA will also have an onsite tent staffed by experts who will offer exhibits, presentations and answer questions from festival-goers.
Read This Next
#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedCruises
Jun 15, 2026All the Ways Carnival Cruise Line Celebrates America’s 250th Birthday
This year, Carnival Cruise Line celebrates America’s 250th anniversary with special patriotic programming, and passengers are invited to take part in the festivities.
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Hotels
Jun 12, 2026Saddle Up for Skillcations at These U.S. Ranches
Dude ranch vacations are growing in popularity among family travelers, but skillcation trips on ranches are also on the rise, with travelers looking for opportunities to learn a new skill and develop a new hobby while escaping day-to-day life.
Hotels
Jun 11, 2026Park Hyatt St. Kitts Launches Postpartum Experience for Moms
Park Hyatt St. Kitts now offers the perfect escape for postpartum moms to reconnect with herself in paradise through a partnership with Anya, a women’s health and beauty brand dedicated to helping with postpartum.
Hotels
Jun 11, 2026Slow Mom Summer: Family Getaways Designed for Doing Less
This summer’s biggest lifestyle trend: doing less. That mindset applies to family travel, too, with Slow Mom Summer emerging online. Moms are rejecting overscheduled itineraries and high-pressure vacations while seeking out slower, more intentional experiences.
Hotels
Jun 10, 2026AYANA Resorts Launches Dual-Island Family Escape from Bali to Komodo
AYANA Resorts just debuted a new, dual-island itinerary from Bali to Komodo, allowing family travelers to enjoy a seamless experience between both resorts. The journey starts along Bali’s southwest coast, where AYANA Bali welcomes guests.
ShareThis