Thomas Rhett to Headline Balloon Fiesta Amphitheater Show Friday; Special Shapes Start Thursday
Country singer Thomas Rhett will headline the amphitheater show at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta on Friday evening, Oct. 9, the festival's featured concert of its second weekend, according to the event's weekly preview published Oct. 6.
The days before the concert carry their own draws: Thursday, Oct. 8, brings the Special Shape Rodeo, when novelty balloons — bees, cows, pirate ships and more — launch together, followed that evening by the Glowdeo, the special-shape edition of the balloon glow. Team Fastrax parachute performances are scheduled for Oct. 8 and 9 at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
All events take place at Balloon Fiesta Park, 4401 Alameda Blvd. NE. Organizers expect the largest crowds at Friday's concert sessions and the closing weekend, Oct. 10-11, and recommend buying Park & Ride tickets in advance. All flying events are weather-dependent; visitors should check the official site for day-of announcements.
During the fiesta, Albuquerque leans fully into festival mode: restaurants roll out themed menus and storefronts fill with balloon decorations. The city's tourism bureau credits the nine days with substantial visitor spending — the backdrop to local lodging prices hitting record highs this year, as covered on GSM's Culture & Travel channel.
Photo: 露天音乐会观众实景，CC BY 2.0（Wikimedia Commons，摄影：Elvert Barnes）
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：乡村歌手托马斯·瑞特（Thomas Rhett）2023年在印第安纳波利斯登台演唱。摄影：BrDen，CC BY 4.0，来源：Wikimedia Commons
- 2026-10-0154th Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Opens Oct. 3 With Route 66 Centennial Theme
- 2026-10-02Balloon Fiesta Oddity: Pilot to Fly Cluster of 94 Balloons
- 2026-10-05Balloon Fiesta Midweek Guide: Wednesday Mass Ascension Is the Weekday Highlight
- 2026-10-06Thomas Rhett to Headline Balloon Fiesta Amphitheater Show Friday; Special Shapes Start ThursdayThis story
