Albuquerque’s signature balloon festival opens Saturday, October 3, with a schedule that begins well before sunrise and a fresh warning for visitors hoping to photograph it from the air: leave personal drones out of the plan.

The 54th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta runs through October 11. In a September 30 notice, the FBI says a temporary flight restriction covers a four-mile radius around the center of Balloon Fiesta Park during the event. The agency urges drone operators to check current restrictions through FAA-approved services and warns that unauthorized flights can bring enforcement action.

For spectators, the organizer’s opening-day schedule lists a drone light show at 5:45 a.m., Dawn Patrol at 6 a.m., Morning Glow at 6:30 a.m. and Mass Ascension at 7 a.m. Those are local Albuquerque times. The scheduled professional light show should not be read as permission for visitors to launch their own drones.

Getting to the field is another decision to make before leaving home. Official Park & Ride tickets include admission and round-trip transportation, but they are valid only for the date, session and time purchased. The organizer says the service does not operate Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. That makes a weekend transport plan unsuitable for a weekday visit without checking again.

Safety concerns also extend beyond the launch field. In September 30 reporting by KRQE, utility PNM warned people to stay away from any balloon entangled in power lines and call 911. Drivers should pull over safely before watching or taking photographs.

The city’s cultural calendar is expanding alongside the fiesta. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center begins its related program October 2 and hosts an American Indian Arts Festival with more than 60 Native artists and vendors October 3–4.

For opening weekend, use the official schedule as the starting point and check organizer updates before departure. Ballooning depends on conditions, so a printed start time is a plan, not a guarantee of launch.