by Maria Manuela on
1 Touch the sky.
One of the most photographed events in the world, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta lifts off Saturday morning at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque. Over nine days, more than 500 balloons take to the skies over the Duke City. Check out balloon glows in the evenings, mass ascensions at sunrise, drone light shows, special shape balloon rodeos, live music, and a many other opportunities to get up close to the massive, colorful balloons. Need some suggestions for the downtime? Try these three fun ideas for what to do outside Balloon Fiesta Park.
2 Celebrate the harvest.
Experience some of the best autumnal things on offer at the Santa Fe Harvest Festival at El Rancho de las Golondrinas, in La Ciénega on Saturday and Sunday. The 52nd annual fest includes a pumpkin patch where attendees can pick their own gourds, grape stomping, and corn husk crafting. Gaze at the stunning fall foliage on the property’s towering cottonwoods while enjoying local brews and wine.
3 Taste the fruits of San Juan County.
Farmington celebrates its vibrant arts community, bounty of fruit trees, and the fall season during the Southwest Apple & Chile Festival on Friday and Saturday. In the late 1800s, hundreds of apple trees were planted in San Juan County that still produce fruit today. The festival starts Friday with an artists’ market at Orchard Park from 3 to 8 p.m. and an art walk in the downtown area.
“We have over 130 artists participating in the art walk,” says Flo Trujillo, president at the Northwest New Mexico Arts Council. “Many of them set up in local businesses, as well as in the park.” Visitors can enjoy free local apples from local farmers, apple painting, a caramel apple station, apple cider, and delicious apple pies from some of the local businesses. “We try to make it as festive as possible,” Trujillo says.
On Saturday, a chile cookoff takes over Main Street. Local businesses—including the Chile Pod and Three Rivers Brewery—join the festival fun with special menu items featuring apples and chile. “The chefs are very creative,” says Trujillo. Look for a ristra-making demo and peruse a collection of ristras for sale.
4 Rock out with experts.
Rockhounds and jewelers get together at Expo New Mexico for the Albuquerque Fall Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 70 vendors sell everything from big crystals to tiny beads and cabochons, tools, and mineral specimens. These rock lovers have a ton of knowledge to share about the stunning things earth creates.
5 Pick the perfect pumpkin.
Fall Festival at the Mesilla Valley Maze
The Mesilla Valley Maze at Lyles Farms, in Las Cruces, has welcomed families and fall fun seekers since 1999. This weekend marks the beginning of the corn maze and pumpkin picking season with a Fall Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Attendees can look forward to hayrides, a corn eating contest, live music, tours of the corn maze, stick horse races, and more family-friendly activities.
Heirloom Acres Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
The 10-acre family-friendly corn maze at Heirloom Acres takes about half an hour to complete, but there’s a shorter version called the Fairy Tale Trail if you’re in the mood for something lighter. The Artesia farm also boasts a pumpkin patch filled with pumpkins begging to be carved into Jack-o-lanterns. Visit on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in October.
Balzano Family Farm Pumpkin Patch & Vineyard
Every weekend in October and the first weekend in November, folks can visit the pumpkin patch at Balzano Family Farms, located between Artesia and Carlsbad, to pick a pumpkin straight from the vine. There is a collection of cute farm animals to pet, a pond to fish, and a fairy garden to wander. It’s open Saturdays and Sundays.
Read more: For more things to do, check out our online calendar of events.