Scene from an earlier Sky Fiesta event. Courtesy/NRGNHA
Scene from an earlier Sky Fiesta event. Courtesy/NRGNHA
NRGNHA News:
ALCALDE — The Northern Río Grande National Heritage Area (NRGNHA) is proud to present the 2025 Río Grande Sky Fiesta, Oct. 25-26 to the historic Los Luceros site in Alcalde.
This two-day celebration will once again fill the skies with vibrant hot air balloons and welcome guests with food, culture, and family-friendly fun along the Río Grande.
Following a successful inaugural year, the 2025 event will feature morning balloon ascensions at 6:45 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday (weather permitting), and the return of the beloved Zozobra balloon.
The Balloon Glow will light up the Española Valley from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, offering a breathtaking spectacle as balloons glow against the autumn night.
This year also introduces several new additions:
- The public debut of the Heritage Kitchen at Los Luceros, offering seasonal dishes and hosting local food trucks
- A Halloween-themed ‘Trick-or-Treat Through Los Luceros Historic” passport adventure with lowrider trunk-or-treat displays, hosted by partners like Celebrate Planet Earth, the Museum of International Folk Art, and local fire departments
- A Sky Fiesta coloring and stamp booklet that encourages children to explore ‘Creatures & Phenomena of the Skies’
“Our mission is to spark curiosity about the natural world,” Executive Director of NRGNHA Eric Vasquez said. “At Sky Fiesta, we connect families to the living and phenomena of Northern New Mexico in a setting that’s both festive and educational.”
Parking is available on site for $10 per vehicle. Free off-site parking and shuttle service will be provided from the Oñate Center and Ohkay Casino (north side).
Tickets are $12 for Saturday and $8 for Sunday’s morning launch, kids 12 and younger are free. Admission includes access to Los Luceros Historic Site and all event activities. Tickets can be purchased in advance at https://riograndeskyfiesta.com.
Community members, volunteers, schools, and cultural organizations are invited to take part in the festivities. Local groups can apply to host passport stations or educational booths to help showcase Northern New Mexico’s diverse traditions.
Sponsors
The Río Grande Sky Fiesta is made possible in part by the support of our generous sponsors. We extend our deepest gratitude to HilCorp, Century Bank, Chevron USA Inc., Singleton & Schreiber, Taos County, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, and Rio Arriba County for their commitment to promoting cultural celebration and supporting community-driven events in Northern New Mexico.
About NRGNHA
The Northern Río Grande National Heritage Area is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and protecting the culture, heritage, language, and environment of Northern New Mexico. Through collaborative outreach and cultural education, NRGNHA enhances economic growth, increases awareness of the region’s shared heritage, and advances community development.
