Colorful skies and family fun return to Las Cruces as the 2026 Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally (MVBR) lifts off for a free, three-day celebration of hot air balloons, glow events and high-flying traditions.
The event kicks off Friday, Jan. 16 with an RC (radio controlled) balloon glow on the Plaza de Las Cruces from 6-8 p.m. Attendees are invited to grab a peek at the weekend festivities with this free display. Food and drink vendors will be on site.
New this year, the full-sized Visit Las Cruces hot air balloon makes its debut. It will serve as a traveling ambassador for Las Cruces at future state and regional events to promote tourism to the city. Operated by Rainbow Ryders, a New Mexico-based company with decades of experience and a long-standing role in ballooning across the state, the new balloon can be seen Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Field of Dreams, 2300 Tashiro Dr., during the morning mass ascension. The ascension will begin at sunrise, around 7 a.m., where both full-sized and RC balloons will launch and hit Las Cruces skies.
A balloon glow will follow that evening where balloons will put on a static display to show off their nighttime glow. Gates will open at 5 p.m. with the glow beginning after sunset, around 6:30 p.m. Vendors will be present before and during the morning mass ascensions and the balloon glow.
Among the full-sized balloons will be the spectacular Zozobra balloon from Santa Fe. The balloon is 135 feet tall and in the shape of the iconic “Old Man Gloom.” Lead organizer, Christine Casillas and MVBR organizers are excited to bring a piece of northern New Mexico tradition to Las Cruces.
“We’re bringing Zozobra this year, and that’s really exciting because it’s their first foray going south of Albuquerque,” Casillas said.
Attendees will have one last shot at seeing this remarkable display up close on Sunday, Jan. 18 with another sunrise mass ascension from the Field of Dreams at approximately 7 a.m. marking the end of the 2026 rally.
The Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally started in 1977 with just 13 balloons. In 1985 it was named the Whole Enchilada Balloon Rally, but was renamed to its current title in 1988. Prior to its return in 2025, the event was on hiatus for 14 years. Marking its return in 2025, a group of local ballooning enthusiasts worked to revitalize the rally and are now eager to introduce the tradition to a new generation.
“We’re taking balloons to select schools this year,” Casillas said. “We’ll have both a full-sized and an RC balloon for students to see upclose!”
The MVBR is presented by Visit Las Cruces and made possible by Visit Alamagordo and Pinnacle Propane. Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a family friendly, fun and free weekend at the rally.
Tashiro Drive will be closed to through traffic both Saturday and Sunday for the duration of the event. Free, public parking will be available at the Field of Dreams west and east lots. There are no public rides available for this event.
Drones are prohibited unless expressly approved by event organizers to ensure the safety of pilots and passengers. Anyone operating an unapproved drone may be asked to leave the event.
Please note that all scheduled events depend on permissible weather for the safety of pilots and attendees. For more information and updates on the event visit the website or visit the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally Facebook for updates.