Albuquerque to ring in New Year with balloon launch

Forget the ball drop in New York, Albuquerque officials have a plan to soar into the New Year.The city has been working on the project for weeks. A hot air balloon will lift off from Civic Plaza to mark the start of 2016.Plenty of cities have big New Year’s Eve parties with unique ways of celebrating the stroke of midnight. Albuquerque didn’t until this year.The city’s first ever New Year’s Eve party will feature music, food trucks and ice skating in Civic Plaza. Admission is free.Two businesses crafted the New Year’s balloon and gave it to the city free of charge. As the countdown to the New Year begins, a crane will hoist it up the side of city hall to lift everyone into 2016.“It just fits. It's something that is so much more fun for Albuquerque and continues for us to demonstrate how nice downtown can be,” Albuquerque Chief of Staff Gilbert Montano said.The balloon is about the same size as the iconic ball that drops in New York.The city is asking that you arrive early to the event because they are expecting a big crowd.

Forget the ball drop in New York, Albuquerque officials have a plan to soar into the New Year.

The city has been working on the project for weeks. A hot air balloon will lift off from Civic Plaza to mark the start of 2016.


Plenty of cities have big New Year’s Eve parties with unique ways of celebrating the stroke of midnight. Albuquerque didn’t until this year.

The city’s first ever New Year’s Eve party will feature music, food trucks and ice skating in Civic Plaza. Admission is free.

Two businesses crafted the New Year’s balloon and gave it to the city free of charge. As the countdown to the New Year begins, a crane will hoist it up the side of city hall to lift everyone into 2016.

“It just fits. It's something that is so much more fun for Albuquerque and continues for us to demonstrate how nice downtown can be,” Albuquerque Chief of Staff Gilbert Montano said.

The balloon is about the same size as the iconic ball that drops in New York.

The city is asking that you arrive early to the event because they are expecting a big crowd.