Hot air balloons to return to Las Cruces skies this weekend

Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally set for Jan. 17-19

Hot air balloons to return to Las Cruces skies this weekend
(Courtesy image / City of Las Cruces)

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - The Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally will make its return to Las Cruces from Jan. 17 to 19, featuring three days of hot air balloon launches and glow events.

The community event begins Friday, Jan. 17, with a balloon glow from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Plaza de Las Cruces downtown. The glow will feature remote-control (RC) balloons, offering spectators a preview of the weekend’s events. Food and drink vendors will also be available on-site.

A mass ascension of full-sized and RC balloons is planned for sunrise on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Field of Dreams, 2300 Tashiro Drive. The balloons will launch from the southwest lot of the field around 7 a.m. The day will conclude with an evening glow event at approximately 5:30 p.m.

The rally wraps up Sunday, Jan. 19, with another mass ascension scheduled for sunrise, providing a final opportunity for spectators to view the balloons in flight.

Christine Castillas, lead organizer and a Las Cruces native, said she hopes the event rekindles enthusiasm for ballooning in the region.

“We are so excited to bring the official Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally back to Las Cruces,” Castillas said.

The rally has a long history in the area, dating back to its inception in 1977 with just 13 balloons. Renamed the Whole Enchilada Balloon Rally in 1985, it returned to its original name in 1988. The last rally was held in 2011, making the upcoming event the first in 14 years.

Event organizers aim to foster community engagement and encourage interest in hot air ballooning for years to come.

“I’m already looking forward to 2026, Castillas said. "We’re talking about what to do differently and some things that are going really well that we want to improve upon."

The Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally is free to attend, though public rides will not be offered. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating, and pets are allowed if kept on a leash. For more details, visit the Mesilla Valley Balloon Rally website.

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