Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival: Balloon Fiesta (36th Annual)

Organizer's Promotional Message

Oct 3-5 & 10-12, 2025
Ranked AFSB’s "Top Ten Events for 2025"

The Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival’s 'Balloon Fiesta Show' is not only one of the top shows in the country, but also one of the most unique! Held in an amazing resort location during the peak of New Mexico’s tourist season, this is a favorite for artists and patrons alike! Apply today and experience stellar sales!

Ranked #4 of the Best Shows in America 2010-2020 Sunshine Artist Magazine

With 6 days of sales opportunities and the chance to explore New Mexico during the week, this show combines a southwestern getaway with a unique opportunity to sell your work to customers from all over the world. For 34 years, Rio Grande's promoters have focused on creating an outstanding marketplace for juried fine arts & crafts coinciding with The ABQ International Balloon Fiesta.

The festival's huge white tent will rise alongside the PGA-level golf course of Sandia Resort & Casino – right in the heart of the action at the same intersection as the International Balloon Fiesta itself. From the site, festival-goers and artists alike enjoy panoramic views of the Sandia Mountains as well as the breathtaking sights of colorful hot air balloons floating overhead. Inside the big white tent, the atmosphere and the artwork is first-class. Patrons love the high energy and unique nature of this event, from the great shopping to the open-air entertainment & food court. A robust advertising and marketing campaign brings in an excellent buying crowd for the 200 participating artists ...this show is worth adding to your circuit! Apply today for our 35th Annual!

"We are so incredibly grateful for the team’s hard work on the festival. It's an amazingly well run show with so many qualified buyers attending. Wowza! It’s magical. The whole experience is so fun and fulfilling … heart, soul, mind and wallet!" - Mixed Media Artist