Watch hot air balloons take over New Mexico

Gathered spectators watched as balloons of breathtaking size and shape leaped across the sky in a colorful early morning spectacle known as “Mass Ascension.”

The Balloon Festival, which runs October 5-13, is the “world's largest gathering celebrating hot air balloons” and balloonists, according to the festival's website. This year's edition included 106 balloons with special shapes, 16 of which were new shapes. Among the new balloons was one in the shape of Zozobra, a nod to New Mexico tradition; Mazu represents Taiwan (Republic of China) in the form of the Chinese sea goddess Mazu; and Churro, a dog-shaped balloon with Churro the dog as co-pilot.

Fan-favorite balloons including Airabelle the Creamland Cow, Darth Vader, Master Yoda Balloon, Montie the Black Sheep and Allycorn also made a return during the festival.

The video shows balloons taking off during the mass ascension

Video footage from the first day of the festival shows the giant balloons lying flat on the ground and being inflated to their full size in full view of the crowd before being released into the air.

The annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta begins

The 52nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has begun. It is a nine-day festival in which more than 500 hot air balloons will take part.

Pictures from the 52nd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

Flight of nations

The 9-day festival also features numerous other events, including the popular “Flight of the Nations Mass Ascension presented by New Mexico True,” which will take place Wednesday morning. The “Flight of Nations,” which has been taking place since the 1970s, is just one of the many global aspects of the Balloon Fiesta, according to the festival organizers, and enables “unique cultural exchange.”

“The collective launch of hot air balloons, each flying the flag of their country, will precede the morning flying events starting at 7:00 a.m. (local time), weather permitting,” the festival website says.

Participating countries include Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States and, for the first time, North Macedonia.

The balloon festival is also available as a live stream here.

The file has been updated with additional images.

Saman Shafiq is a featured news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.