The One Spring Festival In New Mexico That’s Worthy Of Your Bucket List Every Year

If you only go to one New Mexico festival this spring (why though?), you better make it to the Rio Grande Classic Balloon Competition. This four-day event covers all things hot air balloons, and there may not be a more unique and fun festival in the entire country! This is easily one of the very best spring festivals in New Mexico and a year spent without attending it is a year wasted indeed. Spring in New Mexico is a wonderful time - and this festival simply makes it even better.

With hot air balloon flights taking place on Saturday, May 24th, Sunday the 25th, and lasting until Tuesday the 27th, this festival is sure to give you plenty of time to watch these giant balloons fly over the New Mexico desert.

The event has plenty of tasks for the competitors to complete, with some competitions bringing pilots head to head on landing accuracy, and others on their ability to drop items to a target from high above.

The winners get cash prizes of hundreds of dollars, but the real reason people compete in these events is for the glory and sport.

If you've never been to a hot air balloon competition, you're missing out, and the Rio Grande Classic is a great first event to dip your toes into the water.

There are also plenty of volunteer opportunities if you really want to become a part of the Classic!

There are few ways to spend a spring day more enjoyable than tailgating and watching these hot air balloon pilots compete for prizes.

It's a favorite among the locals, after all, and you'll see why.

We bet you've never been to a hot air balloon festival before, and even if you have, the Rio Grande Classic is not one to be missed. It is, after all, one of the best festivals in New Mexico. Need somewhere to stay while you're here? No worries - check out all the options on Hotels.com. Stop by the official Rio Grande Classic website for more information on the festival happening every Memorial Day Weekend and be sure to let us know what your favorite part of the festival was and what your favorite hot air balloon design was!