Artisan Application
Becoming a Artisan at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is your chance to share your craft with the world – literally.
Each October, hundreds of thousands of curious, engaged visitors fill Balloon Fiesta Park looking for something they can’t find anywhere else. Your handcrafted goods or small-batch creations could be exactly what they’ve been searching for, and your small business could be part of a handpicked showcase where guests discover unique, high-quality creations and meet the artists behind them.
Balloon Fiesta guests aren’t in a hurry. They’re in a festive, exploratory mindset — ready to browse, discover, and invest in something meaningful and unique. This is an audience that appreciates quality, craftsmanship, and the story behind what they’re buying, making our Artisan vendors an integral part of the experience guests return for year after year.
The Artisan Tent is the only on-site arts and crafts show at the Balloon Fiesta, featuring around 30 talented makers each year showcasing jewelry, woodcrafts, pottery, textiles, and small-batch specialty foods. Admission is free for all Balloon Fiesta guests, making it one of the most popular destinations on the field. Because we strive for quality over quantity, our Artisan program is curated — not just anyone gets a spot — and we look for makers and producers who take pride in their work and bring something genuinely special to the table.
All work exhibited in the Artisan Tent must be handcrafted, original work created by the applying artist, and the artist must be present and available throughout the entire event.
If that sounds like you, we’d love to have you apply. Selling higher-volume goods or standard foods? Our Concession spaces on Main Street may be a better fit.
Balloon Fiesta Highlights
- Nine-day event leading to significantly more earning potential than a single-day festival
- Morning sessions all nine days
- Evening sessions five days (both Saturdays, first Sunday, Thursday, and Friday)
- Many of our concessionaires have been returning for 10-20+ years
- Attendence Numbers:
- 2025: 851,994
- 2024: 838,337
- 2023: 968,516
How to Apply
- Applications must be submitted electronically.
- Both the Artisan Handbook and the Artisan Application (below) must be accessed to apply.
- All completed applications will be considered and are not accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- If you are applying for more than one booth space, you must submit a separate, completed application for each location.
Key Dates
- March 1: Application Available
- April 15: Application Deadline (late applications will be placed on the wait list)
- May 15: Selection Notifications
- June 15: Acceptance Paperwork and Payment Due
Questions?
All applicants are encouraged to review the Artisan Handbook, which contains detailed information that may address many of your questions. For additional assistance, contact Erica Hahn, Concessions & Artisans Manager.
Required Information for All Accepted Artisans
Booth Layout Form
Accepted Artisans are required to complete and submit a Booth Layout Form.
Helpful Links:
New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department Registration Certificate
Accepted Artisans are required to submit a current and valid State of New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department Registration Certificate noting their NM Business Tax ID Number (GRT/BTIN)
- Out-of-state Artisans should apply for a temporary registration filing status, noting the dates of the event (October 3-11, 2026). You must check “YES” to the special event question.
- Out-of-state Artisans who participated in last year’s Balloon Fiesta and held a temporary special event permit should reactivate the same ID for this year’s event.
- Artisans already holding a NM Business Tax ID Number must log in to their online profile to obtain a current and valid Registration Certificate.
Helpful Links:
City of Albuquerque Business Registration Certificate
Accepted Artisans are required to submit a current and valid City of Albuquerque Business Registration Certificate.
- Artisans that hold a year-round certificate must submit a copy of their current and valid City of Albuquerque Business Registration Certificate.
- Artisans not already holding a City of Albuquerque Business Registration Certificate must apply for one via the online link. Payment is required at the time of application.
- Artisans applying for a temporary business registration will be required to upload a copy of their current and valid State of New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department Registration Certificate noting their NM Business Tax ID Number (GRT/BTIN).
Helpful Links:
Insurance Requirements
2026 insurance requirements coming soon
Electrical Extension Cord Wiring Diagram
Accepted Artisans are required to work with the power available within the contracted space and total amperage and wattage of all electrical appliances being used must not exceed the supplied electricity. All connections must meet building and safety code standards, and all City of Albuquerque electrical guidelines must be followed.
Helpful Links:
AIBF Gross Receipt Reporting
Accepted Artisans are required to submit all gross receipt data no later than one week following the event.
Helpful Links:
- 2026 Gross Receipt Reporting Information (coming October 3, 2026)
Tax Rate Information
2026 Tax Rate Information coming July 2026
Required Information for Accepted Artisans Selling Food/Consumable Items (Commercial Food Concessionaires)
City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department Temporary Food Permit
Accepted Artisans (Commercial Food Concessionaires) are required to complete and submit the associated Temporary Food Permit Application. Once you click on the application link, scroll down the page to “Temporary Food Establishment Permits.”
Helpful Links:
- 2026 EHD Temporary Food Permit Application
- 2026 EHD Temporary Food Event Guide (coming soon)
- 2026 EHD Temporary Food Event Self Inspection Checklist (coming soon)
USDA Food Defense Guidance
Accepted Artisans (Commercial Food Concessionaires) must refer to the USDA Food Defense Guidance for large scale special events.
Helpful Links:
Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPB) and Food Handler Cards
Accepted Artisans (Commercial Food Concessionaires) are required to submit proof of at least one Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) on staff.
- If the Person in Charge is a CFPM, then the remaining staff are not required to have Food Handler Cards.
- However, food employees must, at a minimum, be trained on basic food safety by the Person in Charge.
- If the Person in Charge is not a CFPM, then all food employees must have a Food Handler Card.
Each booth shall be responsible for keeping and providing training records to EHD staff upon inspection. This includes training records of a CFPM Person in Charge training non-Food Handler Card holders on basic food safety.
Employees who only handle wrapped foods are not required to have training records.