Balloon Glow : This is one of the most widely anticipated events of the whole week. Just before dusk, more than 300 balloons are securely tethered and inflated. At the directive of the Balloonmeister, burners are ignited and the evening sky fills with a kaleidoscope of brilliant, luminous color that is truly magic. Balloon Glow® has become so popular that an additional Night Magic™ Glow has been added.

Night Magic ™Glow : A spin-off of Balloon Glow, Night Magic Glow features more than 200 tethered balloons in a twilight display of dazzling light and color. The Night Magic ™Glow was inaugurated in 1993.

Special Shape Rodeo : Somewhere long ago, someone decided that if a hot-air balloon could be round, then it could also be made into intriguing shapes.

The Special Shape Rodeo has taken this discovery to challenging new heights with appearances by a piggy bank, a three-masted sailing ship, a cow, a tennis shoe, a macaw, a folded newspaper, a motorcycle, a pink dragon and a replica of Noah's Ark.

Gordon Bennett Cup : The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® has served as host for the Gordon Bennett Cup in 1993, 1999 and again in 2005.The Coupe Gordon Bennett is the world's oldest aviation event dating back to 1909. In the 2005 edition of the Gordon Bennett, the winning team of Bob Berben and Benoit Simeons representing Belgium flew 2,111 miles breaking every distance record for that event.