Concessions Application
Becoming a Concessionaire at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is your chance to put your business in front of the world – literally.
Each October, hundreds of thousands of hungry, enthusiastic visitors fill Balloon Fiesta Park ready to eat, shop, and take home the best our vendors have to offer. Whether you’re serving up crowd-pleasing food and drinks or offering merchandise guests can’t resist, your business could be an unforgettable part of one of the most celebrated and most photographed events in the world.
Balloon Fiesta guests aren’t in a hurry. They’re in a festive, celebratory mindset — ready to indulge, explore, and spend. This is a captive, on-site audience that comes ready for the full experience, which means more time browsing and buying than at a typical event, making it one of the best-selling environments in the region for the right vendor. The Balloon Fiesta crowd is engaged, excited, and ready for what you’ve got.
With over one-third of a mile of bustling vendor spaces, Balloon Fiesta’s Main Street is one of the largest and most exciting marketplaces in the Southwest. We strive for quality over quantity and select Concessionaires who are reliable, experienced, and ready to serve a high-volume crowd. Not just anyone gets a spot, we look for vendors who bring energy, quality products, and a commitment to delivering a great guest experience.
If that sounds like you, we’d love to have you apply. Looking to sell handcrafted, one-of-a-kind goods or small-batch specialty foods? Our Artisan Tent 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 Concession Handbook and the Concession 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 Concession 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 Concessionaires
City of Albuquerque Fire Marshal's Office Permit
Accepted Concessionaires are required to complete and submit a City of Albuquerque Fire Marshal’s Office Permit Application:
Helpful Links:
New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department Registration Certificate
Accepted Concessionaires 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 Concessionaires 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 Concessionaires 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.
- Concessionaires 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 Concessionaires are required to submit a current and valid City of Albuquerque Business Registration Certificate.
- Concessionaires that hold a year-round certificate must submit a copy of their current and valid City of Albuquerque Business Registration Certificate.
- Concessionaires 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.
- Concessionaire 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 Concessionaires 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:
Inspection Appointment Scheduling
Accepted Concessionaires are required to schedule appointments for necessary inspections in order to open.
Helpful Links:
- 2026 Inspection Appointment Scheduling (coming September 21, 2026)
AIBF Gross Receipt Reporting
Accepted Concessionaires 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 Commercial Food Concessionaires
City of Albuquerque Environmental Health Department Temporary Food Permit
Accepted 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
- 2026 EHD Temporary Food Event Self Inspection Checklist
USDA Food Defense Guidance
Accepted 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 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.