What’s happening in New Mexico October 3-9? Balloon Fiesta and more

NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Check out community events around New Mexico from October 3 to 9.

Albuquerque

• October 3 Albuquerque Aloft – The first flying event of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will take off from elementary schools across the city. Students, families, and staff will have the opportunity to meet the pilots, crew, and also learn how a hot air balloon inflates and flies. Balloons will launch between 7 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Anyone interested in attending is asked to check with their school to ensure they’re participating.
• October 3 ABQ Artwalk – Halloween season couldn’t come soon enough. Visit downtown for artisan markets, new exhibits, and Halloween pop-ups and performances. Costumes are not just welcome… they’re encouraged. The event is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• October 3 Albuquerque Fall Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show – Discover dazzling gems, unique minerals, ancient fossils, handmade jewelry, and more. It’s a sparkling experience for collectors, creators, and curious minds alike. This free, family-friendly event is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• October 3-5 Grecian Festival – Immerse in the sounds of the bouzóuki, the tastes of authentic Greek cuisine, and the eye-catching sights of dancers streaming by in colorful costumes. Enjoy shopping for imported jewelry, gifts, foods, and pastries. Tickets are available online.
• October 4 Harvest Festival at the ABQ BioPark – The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and sunsets are golden. There’s no better way to celebrate the season than at the Botanic Garden and Aquarium. Explore the beautiful landscapes, listen to live music from over 20 local bands, shop from local artisans, and take part in free kids’ activities like face painting, autumn arts and crafts, and discovery stations. This event is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• October 4 Albuquerque Oktoberfest – This free, family-friendly event returns to Rio Bravo Brewing. Enjoy a fun-filled day featuring traditional German food, a stein-holding contest, and live music and dancing starting at noon.
• October 4-12 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta – This nine-day event draws in over 800,000 people to Albuquerque to see balloons take flight. From drone shows to night glows, a full schedule of events is available online.
• October 5 Taco Tournament at the Rail Yards Market – This Sunday, the Rail Yards Market turns into a tortilla showdown for the Taco Tournament. Try tacos, vote for your favorites, and enjoy a fiesta full of sabor y comunidad. Purchase a Taco Tour fundraiser ticket online. The market is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• October 6 Globito Glow – The first-of-its-kind Globito Glow in the Village event will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. along historic Route 66 on 4th Street for the Route 66 centennial. Remote-controlled hot air balloons, also called globitos, will line 4th Street between Pueblo Solano Road and Schulte Road.

New Mexico

• October 3 Zozobra Balloon Glow – Santa Fe families and children are invited to experience moments to remember for a lifetime when Kiwanis unveils the free Zozobra Balloon Glow at Villa Linda Park. This event is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• October 3-4 Friends of the Clovis-Carver Library Book Sale – Get ready for two days of amazing book bargains at the annual Fall Book Sale. Hosted by the Friends of the Clovis-Carver Library, this event is perfect for book lovers of all ages. The sale is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.
• October 4 Aspen Fest Parade and Festival – The Aspen Fest parade will begin at 10 a.m. and travel through Midtown Ruidoso. After the parade, visit Wingfield Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for live music, amazing food and drink vendors, and shopping.
• October 4 Dogtoberfest – Dogtoberfest is back in Alamogordo — and it’s going to be the best one yet. Join V79, Blush Beauty Bar, local artisan vendors, delicious food trucks, and area animal shelters for a day full of fun, fur, and community spirit. This event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• October 4 45th Annual Fall Craft Fair – The Los Alamos fairs are free and fun for all ages. This October, celebrate the 45th Anniversary of the Fall Craft Fair starting at 9 a.m.
• October 4 Disney On Ice presents Frozen & Encanto – Step inside the magical adventures of Disney’s Frozen and Encanto as they are brought to life like never before at Disney On Ice. Hosted by Mickey and Minnie, invite family and friends to Rio Rancho and sing along, starting at 3 p.m.
• October 4-5 Oktoberfest 2025 – Join Angel Fire for an Oktoberfest celebration at the Mountain View Event Center—a festive weekend filled with live music, local brews, delicious eats, and classic Oktoberfest games. Compete in a stein-holding contest or soak up the fall vibes with friends and family. This celebration has something for everyone.
• October 5 Spooky Sip & Shop – Rayos Del Sol Mercado is bringing Bernalillo a Spooky Sip & Shop at Bosque Brewing, where good brews meet local treats, vendors, and a little Halloween magic. This event is from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• October 7 Farmington Night Out – Join Farmington from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for Farmington Night Out (formerly National Night Out) with family activities, community, food, and a chance to connect with local law enforcement.
• October 9-12 Deming Pride 2025 – Celebrate pride in Deming with pageants, drag competitions and performances, vendors and food trucks, BBQs, and more. A full schedule of events is available online.

Albuquerque Notices

🔶Presbyterian Hospital opens renovated pediatric unit – Presbyterian Hospital has officially opened its newly renovated pediatric unit. The hospital says this project is a renewed dedication to healing and creating age-appropriate spaces for those in the unit’s care.

🔶Bill signed establishing loans for low-income homeowners to make home repairs in Albuquerque – Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has signed a bill providing loans to low-income homeowners for home repairs. Through the PATCH program, the city will lend up to $75,000 to fix problems like a failing roof or foundation, broken plumbing, or malfunctioning water heaters. The loans are zero-interest and forgivable.

🔶NM resident puts up billboards highlighting state’s worst statistics ahead of Balloon Fiesta – While all eyes are on New Mexico during the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, resident of 40 years Joseph Digangi wants to make sure they get the full picture. 

🔶House of lies: The legal battle for a criminal headquarters – The former defense attorney at the center of a decades-long DWI scheme conducted backdoor deals from a home office in Albuquerque. Today, victims of the scheme are laying claim to the headquarters of that criminal operation.

🔶Indoor sports facility slated to come to west Albuquerque — An indoor sports facility is set to come to westside Albuquerque, the city announced on Tuesday. A total of 12.78 acres is being bought at the southwest corner of Coors Blvd and St. Joseph’s Blvd NW to build the “Ken Sanchez Indoor Sports Facility.”

🔶Public comment open for input on how to improve Big I traffic congestion – The New Mexico Department of Transportation has launched a public comment period for the community to give their input on the I-40 and I-25 interchange. This interchange, where the I-40 westbound and eastbound ramps meet I-25 north, has been an ongoing problem for community members as the westside population has grown.

🔶TSA prepares for influx in travelers at Albuquerque International Sunport for Balloon Fiesta – The Transportation Security Administration said it is ready to meet the needs of tens of thousands of travelers who will be passing through the Albuquerque International Sunport during this year’s Balloon Fiesta.

🔶City of Albuquerque reports improvements in permitting – The city of Albuquerque says its efforts to expedite new developments are working. In 2023, residential building plans took 112 days to review, now the city says those are being completed in 15 days. For commercial reviews, the way time has dropped from 121 days to 37 days.

🔶New Mexico State Fair surpasses 500K visitors in 2025; announces 2026 dates – The New Mexico State Fair released its 2025 fair attendance number on Tuesday, along with the dates for the 2026 fair.

🔶Prep work to begin soon for New Mexico United stadium at Balloon Fiesta Park – Less than a week from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s start, Albuquerque announced Monday it is ready to get started on the park’s future with a planned soccer stadium.

New Mexico Notices

🔶How New Mexico officials say you can stay wildlife-friendly this Halloween — As Halloween approaches, it’s important to keep an eye out for the critters who can’t exactly trick or treat. The first step? Staying mindful of the decorations posted up in one’s yard.

🔶Fire Prevention Expo heads to Elephant Butte – The New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management is joining forces with Elephant Butte Fire & Rescue for the annual Fire Prevention Expo.

🔶Tornados, dust devils, flooding – New Mexico weather phenomenon; Beyond the Forecast – From tornadoes to dust devils, flooding, and even more, New Mexico is home to a variety of different weather phenomena. On the second episode of “Beyond the Forecast,” KRQE Chief Meteorologist Grant Tosterud joins up with Meteorologist Joshua Redwine to break it all down for us.

🔶Nearly 120,000-acre wildfire prevention project set for Santa Fe National Forest – Following devastating wildfires that scorched homes and forests in New Mexico. U.S. Forest Service officials have spent years coming up with plans to prevent fires. This fall, they’ll start tackling a large area of forest land full of overgrown trees and deteriorating roads.

🔶New Mexico State University breaks ground on new film studio – New Mexico’s film industry is getting a massive upgrade, with a new studio on the New Mexico State University campus. NMSU believes this new facility will help level the playing field for the film industry in southern New Mexico. 

🔶Lawmaker proposes commission to investigate Epstein’s New Mexico ranch – As federal lawmakers continue to debate the potential release of the “Epstein files,” a New Mexico state lawmaker is preparing to take action at the state level. State Representative Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe) said she plans to introduce a bill in January to establish what she calls a “truth-finding” commission. The commission would investigate events at Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch about 30 miles southeast of Santa Fe, where multiple women said they were assaulted.

🔶State Police searching for missing New Mexico man – A northern New Mexico family is desperate for answers, soon after a father of three went missing on his way home from a job across the state. It’s been almost 2 weeks since they last heard from him. 

🔶Community solar farm in Belen creates energy hubs for residents — A community solar farm in Belen will be providing clean, affordable energy to residents. The “Cuidando Los Niños Community Solar Project” is a first-of-its-kind solar farm that aims to create equitable energy that users can pay for.

🔶Where to find pumpkin patches in New Mexico — The leaves are changing, temperatures are dropping, and fall is here. If you’re looking to commemorate, New Mexico offers a classic autumn attraction as one way to start.

🔶Santa Fe County shares winning designs of ‘I Voted’ sticker contest – Santa Fe County announced the winners of its 2025 “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest. Three students from the Academy for Technology and the Classics had their artwork selected by community members.

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