The Creative Compass | October 2026

Discover things to do in Albuquerque this October, from Balloon Fiesta and fall festivals to arts, live performances, Halloween events, film, markets, and more.

Spotlight: Fiesta Time!

Along with changing leaves, cooling temps, and shorter days, the fall season ushers in a bounty of festivals. This October, chances are high you’ll find a festival in Burque for anything you like! But if that feels overwhelming, you can’t go wrong with our beloved Balloon Fiesta, which will debut 13 new special shapes for a record-breaking number of 117 special shapes in all this year. Here are just a few festivals to note, in order of what’s coming up soonest:

ABQ Grecian Fest: Friday, Oct. 2 through Sun., Oct. 4 at 308 High St. SE. Tickets are $5 for general admission and free for active duty military members; police, fire, and EMT personnel; veterans; and kids 11 and under.

Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival: Covering two weekends at Sandia Casino & Resort, from Oct. 2–4 and again on Oct. 9–11, 2026. General admission tickets are $15; children under 12 are free.

American Indian Arts Festival: Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center (2401 12th St. NW). Tickets range from $8 to $15 with children 5 and under free.

Harvest Festival at the BioPark: Saturday, Oct. 3, and Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden and Aquarium (2601 Central Ave NW, 87104).

ExxonMobil 54th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: Saturday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 11. Monday, Oct. 5 is NM Day, free for all state residents who can show proof of address.

Fall Farm Festival: Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Gutierrez-Hubbell House Museum (6029 Isleta Blvd. SW), 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Free!

ABQ Bruja Fest: Saturday, Oct. 10 through Sunday, Oct. 11 at EXPO New Mexico (300 San Pedro Dr NE), 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. General admission tickets are $10.

ABQ Fermentation and Fungi Festival: Sunday, Oct. 11, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Fusion (700 1st St. NW). General admission tickets are $10; kids 12 and under are free.

The 10th Annual Albuquerque Chinese American Film Festival: Saturday, Oct. 17 at the South Broadway Cultural Center; featuring seven films and a panel discussion. Free!

Mañana Con: Thursday, Oct. 22 through Sunday, Oct. 25 at Marriot Albuquerque (2101 Louisiana Blvd NE); this is the state’s only gaming convention for all kinds of tabletop gamers. Gaming goes from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM. Tickets start at $35. For additional details, visit Eventbrite.

Dia De Los Muertos in Old Town: Friday, Oct. 30 through Sunday, Nov. 8 in Old Town Plaza and the surrounding area. Free. On Halloween, celebrate Family Day with trick-or-treating, facepainting, a screening of Coco, and more.

5 Things To Do in October

Go Deeper into the Stories

Chicago-based company Ballet 5:8 will be in Albuquerque for two different shows this month: On Saturday, Oct. 17, see The Curious Life of Edgar Allan Poe, which explores “grief, genius, addiction, and the search for redemption. Audiences will encounter the women whose presence marked his life and imagination—his mother, his wife Virginia, and the female characters that haunted his prose.” A free lecture about Poe will take place on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. On Sunday, Oct. 18, see La Llorona, a reimagined version of the legend in which the main character is not a monster, but a mother in crisis, “a story of love, illness, family, and the urgent need to see one another clearly.” Attendees are invited to stay after La Llorona for a conversation about mental health and community support. Both shows and the lecture will be at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 4th Street SW). For additional details and ticket pricing, visit nhccnm.org.

Meet the Bride

On Saturday, Oct. 24, head to the South Broadway Cultural Center (1025 Broadway Blvd SE) for Fright Night 2: The Bride of Fright Night Book Fest. From 12:30 PM to 8:30 PM, meet authors who specialize in horror, shop the spooky market, and more; this event is recommended for ages 18 and older. The all-day pass costs $55.

Search a Cemetery

From 10:00 AM to dusk on Sunday, Oct. 25, celebrate National Cemetery Day with a scavenger hunt at Historic Fairview Cemetery. Established in 1881, the cemetery, which is just south of Yale and Coal, is the oldest non-denominational cemetery in Albuquerque and is a designated city landmark. Tickets are $10; children under 12 are free. For another $10, you can get a t-shirt to paint, or bring one of your own. Visitors are also encouraged to bring picnics, blankets, and chairs to rest in peace a bit and get to know the cemetery better.

Venture into the Goblin City

In case you need another reason to wear your Bowie wig, the KiMo Theatre (423 Central Ave NW) celebrates the 40th anniversary of Jim Henson’s iconic film Labyrinth on Friday, Oct. 30. A live band will perform the soundtrack to the screening of the film, which stars David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly. Doors open at 7:00 PM; tickets start at $49; and costumes are highly encouraged!

Show Off Your Pumpkins

Pumpkin Day is Sunday, Oct. 25 this year at the Rail Yards Market! From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, display your most creative pumpkin—whether painted, carved, or otherwise decorated—for your chance to win an assortment of prizes. Free, and pets are welcome too! For all market details, including how to become a vendor, visit railyardsmarket.org.

A vibrant evening scene at a hot air balloon festival, with colorful balloons glowing against a twilight sky above a lively crowd gathered around dining tables and illuminated tents. Text reads, "Creative Compass October 2026."

The Creative Compass | October 2026

Discover things to do in Albuquerque this October, from Balloon Fiesta and fall festivals to arts, live performances, Halloween events, film, markets, and more.

The Creative Compass | September 2026

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Artistry in Focus: Thomas Christopher Haag

Step inside the creative world of Albuquerque artist Thomas Christopher Haag as he reflects on meditation, travel, spirituality, and the unconventional path that led him to painting. In this conversation, Thomas shares how intuition, community, found materials, and the New Mexico landscape continue to shape his work, murals, and creative practice.

Art Every Day Of The Week

When you start to look, you’ll see art everywhere in Albuquerque. Use this calendar to find an arts and culture event near you. Take a friend, bring your kids, or go on your own. Become a part of the arts and culture community in Albuquerque. You’ll be glad you did.

Authentically Albuquerque