The IN List 2026: October 5th-11th
The IN List shares the top experiences and events going on this week in & around Albuquerque. Be sure to keep an eye on Instagram stories from @keepingupinalbuquerque throughout the week for any event changes or additions.
These events are all accurate at the time of posting, but be sure to call ahead or check vendor websites/socials before heading out.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5th- New Mexico Day
Dawn Patrol & Balloon Launch
6:00am Dawn Patrol, 7:00am Balloon Launch, 8:00am Fly-In Competition & Chainsaw Carving Exhibition, Balloon Fiesta Park. The fiesta's own New Mexico Day; balloons lift off the field just after sunrise. kids 12 & under free
Balloon Fiesta NM Musicians Showcase
Midday and evening sets (roughly 5-7pm), tiny grocer ABQ patio, Old Town. A different local musician plays the patio each day of Balloon Fiesta week. FREE
Balloon Fiesta Week Live Music
12:00–4:00pm, Old Town Albuquerque plazas. Local musicians play the plazas each afternoon through Balloon Fiesta week. FREE
New Mexico Free Day at the Balloon Museum
7:00am–5:00pm, Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. NM residents get in free with ID (a utility bill or similar works); everyone else pays regular admission. Breakfast on the lawn, food trucks, and views of the Balloon Fiesta field. FREE for NM residents
Lecture Series: Kubicek Balloons, "Ballooning Around the World"
10:00–11:00am, Balloon Museum, Anderson Family Theater. A Balloon Fiesta-week talk on ballooning history and pilots' journeys. Included with admission
Pueblo Dance Performances
11:00am & 2:00pm (Pueblo Dance Group) and 12:00 & 3:00pm (Soaring Eagle Dance Group), Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Social and ceremonial dances from Laguna, Acoma, Zuni, and Hopi dancers, part of Balloon Fiesta Week. Included with admission
Let's Cook with Big Hands, Little Hands
10:30am–12:30pm, Cherry Hills Library. A caregiver-and-kid cooking class — this session makes an Irish apple and parsnip soup. FREE, registration required
Baby and Toddler Storytime
10:30–11:00am, Main Library. Books, songs, and fingerplays for babies and toddlers and the grown-ups who bring them. FREE
Board Game Battle
6:00–7:00pm, The Block, Rio Rancho. Competitive, social board game night at Top of the BLOCK. Price not posted · 18+
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6th- Coca-Cola Day
Dawn Patrol & Balloon Launch
6:00am Dawn Patrol, 7:00am Balloon Launch, 8:00am Fly-In Competition & Chainsaw Carving Exhibition, Balloon Fiesta Park. kids 12 & under free
Balloon Fiesta NM Musicians Showcase
Midday and evening sets (roughly 5-7pm), tiny grocer ABQ patio, Old Town. FREE
Balloon Fiesta Week Live Music
12:00–4:00pm, Old Town Albuquerque plazas. FREE
Design a Flexi Toy
4:00–6:00pm, Explora (X Studio, 1701 Mountain Rd NW). First of a three-week workshop where teens design and 3D-print their own fidget toy. Registration required, price not posted · ages 13-19
Artist Dialogue: claudia hermano
12:30–1:30pm, National Hispanic Cultural Center. A conversation between artist claudia hermano and curator hazel batrezchavez on the Community Gallery show "i thought i saw you yesterday." FREE, registration required
Pueblo Dance Performances, plus Student Discovery Day
11:00am & 2:00pm and 12:00 & 3:00pm, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Balloon Fiesta Week dances, with a 9am–2pm hands-on culture day for school groups. Included with admission
Family Game Night
3:30–5:00pm, Rudolfo Anaya Library. Drop-in board and card games for the whole family. FREE
Karaoke
7:00–8:00pm, The Block, Rio Rancho. Open-mic karaoke at Top of the BLOCK, all skill levels welcome. · 18+
Wednesday 13: Shocktober Blood Tour
Doors 7:00pm, show 8:00pm, Sunshine Theater. Shock-rock/horror-rock headliner timed to the Halloween season, with Dead On A Sunday and Above Snakes. $23 advance, rises day-of
Becky G
8:00pm, Sandia Amphitheater at Sandia Resort & Casino. Latin pop and urban singer in concert. Price and age policy at link
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7th
Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension
6:00am Dawn Patrol (Route 66 Casino stage), 6:30am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow, 7:00am Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension, 7:30am Fiesta de los Globitos RC balloon exhibition, 8:00am Chainsaw Carving Exhibition, Balloon Fiesta Park. Hundreds of balloons lift off together — the week's marquee morning. kids 12 & under free
Balloon Fiesta NM Musicians Showcase
Midday and evening sets (roughly 5-7pm), tiny grocer ABQ patio, Old Town. FREE
Balloon Fiesta Week Live Music
12:00–4:00pm, Old Town Albuquerque plazas. FREE
The Observation Deck
Morning session 5:30-9:30am (dining opens 6am, balloon launch 7am) or evening session 4:30-8:30pm (dining opens 5pm, glow 6pm), Balloon Museum rooftop. A ticketed, sit-down balloon-watching breakfast or dinner on the museum's deck, with VIP parking and shuttle included. $230/adult, $125 ages 7-12, free under 7 · advance tickets required
Conversations with Collections
10:00am–12:00pm, Albuquerque Museum, Jim Baca Lobby. Photo Archives staff pull photos from the permanent collection and talk through them with visitors. Free with museum admission ($3-$6)
Balloons in the Sky: An Early Childhood Program
7:00–9:00am (doors 5:30am), Balloon Museum. Flight-themed hands-on activities and live music with Explora, plus a lawn balloon launch. Paid family packs available
Pueblo Dance Performances
11:00am & 2:00pm (Acoma Family Dance Group) and 12:00 & 3:00pm (Binna:kwe Dance Group, Zuni), Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Included with admission
Being Financially Savvy
6:30pm, Placitas Community Library. A public financial-literacy talk hosted through Sandoval County's extension program. FREE
Read to the Dogs
12:00–1:00pm, East Mountain Library. Kids practice reading aloud to registered therapy dogs. FREE
Music Bingo
7:00–8:00pm, The Block, Rio Rancho. Weekly music-themed bingo at Top of the BLOCK. 18+
Hail The Sun, The Fall of Troy, Blight Town, Diver
Doors 6:00pm, show 7:00pm, The Historic El Rey Theater. Progressive/post-hardcore touring bill. $28 advance + fees · all aged
Open Mic
8:00pm, Hyena's Comedy Nightclub. Local and amateur comics take the stage. Price at link · 21+, valid ID required
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8th
Special Shape Rodeo
6:00am Dawn Patrol, 7:00am Special Shape Rodeo & Balloon Launch, 8:00am Fly-In Competition & Chainsaw Carving Exhibition, 10:00am Chainsaw Carving Auction, Balloon Fiesta Park. The novelty-shaped balloons — frogs, stagecoaches, and the rest — take off together. kids 12 & under free
Special Shape Glowdeo & AfterGlow Fireworks
3:00pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition, 5:00 & 7:30pm Team Fastrax Skydiving, 6:30pm Special Shape Glowdeo, 7:45pm Drone Light Show, 8:00pm AfterGlow Fireworks, Balloon Fiesta Park. Shaped balloons glow in place on the field at dusk, skydivers drop in, then fireworks close the night. $22.24/session, kids 12 & under free
Balloon Fiesta NM Musicians Showcase
Midday and evening sets (roughly 5-7pm), tiny grocer ABQ patio, Old Town. FREE
Balloon Fiesta Week Live Music
12:00–4:00pm, Old Town Albuquerque plazas. FREE
The Observation Deck
Morning session 5:30-9:30am or evening session 4:30-8:30pm, Balloon Museum rooftop. A ticketed, sit-down balloon-watching breakfast or dinner on the museum's deck, with VIP parking and shuttle included. $230/adult, $125 ages 7-12, free under 7 · advance tickets required
Hold Your Horses!
11:00am–12:00pm, Westgate Library. Natural History Museum educators lead a horse-themed craft and story, tied to America's 250th. Ages 0-8. FREE
Pueblo Dance Performances
11:00am & 2:00pm (Hopi Dance Group) and 12:00 & 3:00pm (Dowa:kwe Dance Group, Zuni), Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Included with admission
STEAM Night: Joy of Ballooning
5:30–7:30pm, Balloon Museum. An evening of hands-on science activities tied to ballooning, local artisans, and a food truck, with lawn views of the Fiesta field. Paid admission
Visual Arts Museum Open Late
4:00–7:00pm, National Hispanic Cultural Center. First-ever evening opening of the Visual Arts Museum's three galleries. FREE
Happy Arte Hour
6:00pm, National Hispanic Cultural Center. An adults' social art workshop building wire-and-paper Catrina sculptures (cartonéria), led by Jessica Venzor. Free, $5+ donation suggested for materials · 18+, pre-registration required
Thriller Film Series: Cerdita/Piggy
7:00pm, National Hispanic Cultural Center, Bank of America Theatre. A 2022 Spanish thriller (99 min, Spanish with English subtitles), first in a four-film series with Instituto Cervantes. FREE · recommended 16+
Terror Thursdays: "Practical Magic"
Starts 7:00pm, The Block, Rio Rancho. Free outdoor movie night, rain or shine, with free s'mores while they last — bring a blanket or chairs. FREE
Graeson McGaha
8:30pm, Hyena's Comedy Nightclub. Touring stand-up set. Price at link · 21+, valid ID required
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9th- Kids' Day
Special Shape Rodeo- Kids' Day
4:30am Kids' Day goodie bags begin (while supplies last), 6:00am Dawn Patrol, 7:00am Special Shape Rodeo & Balloon Launch, 7:30am Fiesta de los Globitos exhibition, 8:00am Fly-In & Chainsaw Carving, 10:00am Chainsaw Carving Auction, Balloon Fiesta Park. kids 12 & under free
Special Shape Glowdeo & AfterGlow Fireworks
3:00pm Chainsaw Carving Exhibition, 5:00 & 7:30pm Team Fastrax Skydiving, 6:30pm Special Shape Glowdeo, 7:45pm Drone Light Show, 8:00pm AfterGlow Fireworks, Balloon Fiesta Park. kids 12 & under free
Balloon Fiesta NM Musicians Showcase
Midday and evening sets (roughly 5-7pm), tiny grocer ABQ patio, Old Town. FREE
Balloon Fiesta Week Live Music
12:00–4:00pm, Old Town Albuquerque plazas. FREE
The Observation Deck
Morning session 5:30-9:30am or evening session 4:30-8:30pm, Balloon Museum rooftop. A ticketed, sit-down balloon-watching breakfast or dinner on the museum's deck, with VIP parking and shuttle included. $230/adult, $125 ages 7-12, free under 7 · advance tickets required
Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival
Runs Fri-Sun during Balloon Fiesta, Sandia Resort & Casino grounds. An arts and crafts market set up on property alongside the fiesta. Price at link · advance tickets required
Train Tracks in Your Garden Train Show
9:00am–5:00pm (runs through Sunday), ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden. The NM Garden Railroaders Club runs ten G-scale trains on 2,000 feet of track alongside the Garden's own 1,200-foot railroad layout. Included with Botanic Garden admission
Creature Feature Fridays
3:00–5:00pm, South Broadway Library. A family movie series — this month's theme is black-and-white horror classics (PG/TV-PG). FREE
Pueblo Dance Performances, plus Student Day
11:00am & 2:00pm (Sky City Buffalo Ram Dancers, Acoma) and 12:00 & 3:00pm (Dowa:kwe Dance Group, Zuni), Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Free admission for students all day
Dana Goldberg's Southwest FunnyFest
Doors 6:00pm, show 7:00pm, KiMo Theatre. A benefit stand-up show for Equality New Mexico. $30-$75, VIP includes a meet-and-greet
Live Music: Animated Jukebox
7:00–8:00pm, The Block, Rio Rancho. A live band playing R&B, rock, pop, and Spanish-language music. FREE
Arsenic and Old Lace
7:30–10:00pm, Albuquerque Little Theatre. The dark comedy about two sweet old aunts with an unsettling way of "helping" lonely gentlemen move on. $28-$38
Daft Disko: French House & Disco Party
Doors 8:00pm, show 9:00pm, Backstage at Revel. A DJ dance party built around French house and disco. $16.65-$27.65 · 18+
Perritos Only Presents: "That's Not Me" Comedy Tour
8:30pm, Hyena's Comedy Nightclub. A stand-up tour stop (second show at 10:30pm also available). Price at link · 21+, valid ID required
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10th- ExxonMobil Day
Mass Ascension powered by ExxonMobil
6:00am Dawn Patrol, 6:30am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow, 7:00am Mass Ascension, 8:00am Chainsaw Carving Exhibition, 10:00am Chainsaw Carving Auction, 11:00am Balloon Fiesta Pin Trading, Balloon Fiesta Park. The week's biggest morning — hundreds of balloons launch together. kids 12 & under free
Night Magic Glow & AfterGlow Fireworks, with Music Fiesta
Gates 3:00pm, live music at 4:00, 5:30 & 7:30pm, Night Magic Glow at 6:30pm, Drone Light Show 9:00pm, AfterGlow Fireworks 9:15pm, Balloon Fiesta Park. An evening built around live music on the field, balloons glowing in place after dark, and a fireworks close. $22.24/session, kids 12 & under free
Balloon Fiesta NM Musicians Showcase
Midday and evening sets (roughly 5-7pm), tiny grocer ABQ patio, Old Town. FREE
Balloon Fiesta Week Live Music
12:00–4:00pm, Old Town Albuquerque plazas. FREE
The Observation Deck
Morning session 5:30-9:30am or evening session 4:30-8:30pm, Balloon Museum rooftop. A ticketed, sit-down balloon-watching breakfast or dinner on the museum's deck, with VIP parking and shuttle included. $230/adult, $125 ages 7-12, free under 7 · advance tickets required
Sandia Sunrise Balloon Watch Party
5:00–9:00am, Sandia Resort & Casino, 4th floor parking garage. An elevated, traffic-free sunrise viewing spot with breakfast and coffee included. Price at link · advance tickets required
Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival
Runs Fri-Sun during Balloon Fiesta, Sandia Resort & Casino grounds. An arts and crafts market set up on property alongside the fiesta. Price at link · advance tickets required
Downtown Growers' Market
8:00am–12:00pm, Robinson Park. Albuquerque's longtime Saturday farmers market — produce, prepared food, crafts, and live music, in its 30th season. FREE to attend
Los Ranchos Growers & Arts Market
8:00am–12:00pm (growers 8-11am, art market through noon), Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. Local produce and farm vendors alongside a fine-arts and crafts market. FREE
Train Tracks in Your Garden Train Show
9:00am–5:00pm, ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden. Second of three days. Included with admission
Second Saturday: Time Travel
1:00–3:30pm, Casa San Ysidro (the Gutiérrez/Minge House). A living-history family program with period games and characters. FREE
Read With a Ranger
10:30–11:30am, Taylor Ranch Library. Petroglyph National Monument rangers read a story and lead activities; kids earn a Reading Ranger badge. FREE
Pueblo Dance Performances
11:00am & 2:00pm (Sky City Buffalo Ram Dancers, Acoma) and 12:00 & 3:00pm (Kallestewa Dance Group, Ohkay Owingeh), Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Included with admission
New Mexico United vs. Monterey Bay FC
6:55pm, Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. A USL Championship home match, with a Blackout Night promotion. Tickets from around $22
Live Music: Back in the Saddle
7:00–8:00pm, The Block, Rio Rancho. A 90s country cover act. FREE
Arsenic and Old Lace
2:00pm matinee and 7:30pm evening, Albuquerque Little Theatre. $28-$38
BUNT.
Doors 7:30pm, show 8:00pm, Revel. Electronic/dance DJ and producer. $42.65-$78.65 · 18+
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11th
Farewell Mass Ascension
6:00am Dawn Patrol, 6:30am Krispy Kreme Morning Glow, 7:00am Farewell Mass Ascension, 8:00am Chainsaw Carving Exhibition, Balloon Fiesta Park. The fiesta's closing flight — no evening session today. $22.24/session, kids 12 & under free
Balloon Fiesta NM Musicians Showcase
Midday and evening sets (roughly 5-7pm), tiny grocer ABQ patio, Old Town. FREE
Balloon Fiesta Week Live Music
12:00–4:00pm, Old Town Albuquerque plazas. FREE
The Observation Deck
Morning session 5:30-9:30am or evening session 4:30-8:30pm, Balloon Museum rooftop. A ticketed, sit-down balloon-watching breakfast or dinner on the museum's deck, with VIP parking and shuttle included. $230/adult, $125 ages 7-12, free under 7 · advance tickets required
Sandia Sunrise Balloon Watch Party
5:00–9:00am, Sandia Resort & Casino, 4th floor parking garage. An elevated, traffic-free sunrise viewing spot with breakfast and coffee included. Price at link · advance tickets required
Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival
Runs Fri-Sun during Balloon Fiesta, Sandia Resort & Casino grounds. An arts and crafts market set up on property alongside the fiesta. Price at link · advance tickets required
Rail Yards Market
10:00am–2:00pm, Historic Rail Yards. A big Sunday market in the old railyards; farm vendors, makers, food, and live entertainment. FREE
Corrales Growers' Market
9:00am–12:00pm, Corrales. A weekly farmers market with produce and goods from Corrales-area growers. FREE
Train Tracks in Your Garden Train Show
9:00am–5:00pm, ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden. Final day of the model-train show. Included with admission
Crafternoon: Ribbon Jewelry
1:00–3:00pm, Explora (X Studio, 1701 Mountain Rd NW). A drop-in session making a ribbon-based accessory. Ages 13-19, price not posted
Pueblo Dance Performances
11:00am & 2:00pm (Northern/Southern Dance Group, Ohkay Owingeh) and 12:00 & 3:00pm (Northern Thunder Dance Group, Jemez), Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. Included with admission
Chatter Sunday: Brahms + Curve With Plateaux
10:30am, Chatter (912 3rd St NW). Albuquerque's chamber-music series. $17-$20, discounted for students and under-30
Live Music: Gonzalo
2:00–7:00pm, The Block, Rio Rancho. A live cumbia band (rebooked after an earlier rainout). FREE
Arsenic and Old Lace
2:00–5:00pm matinee, Albuquerque Little Theatre. $28-$38
Punch Brothers
Doors 6:30pm, show 7:30pm, KiMo Theatre. Chris Thile's acoustic/bluegrass-adjacent group, touring a new album of original songs. $51-$76, VIP package $185
"Monster House" Outdoor Movie
Starts 7:00pm, The Block, Rio Rancho. Free family movie night, rain or shine; bring blankets or chairs. FREE
Ahren Belisle
9:00pm, Hyena's Comedy Nightclub. Touring stand-up set. Price at link · 21+, valid ID required
All ticket/registration links go directly to the organizer or official ticketing partner.
