Albuquerque’s biggest Fourth of July celebration returns Friday to Balloon Fiesta Park with fireworks, live music and a strong push for safety amid ongoing fire restrictions.
City officials want Burqueños to enjoy the free Freedom Fourth event while keeping fire risks in mind. Speaking at a press conference on fireworks safety, leaders said tens of thousands are expected at the park, and recent Bosque fires have prompted Stage 1 fire restrictions across all Open Space areas, including the Bosque, West Mesa grasslands and Sandia Foothills.
The city is cracking down on illegal fireworks and urging residents to let the pros handle the big show, while also reminding folks about transportation tips, park rules and new upgrades to make the celebration smoother and safer.
My daughter always says, ‘How come it’s not as beautiful as the fireworks at Balloon Fiesta, and how come they’re not as loud and as big?’,” said Matthew Whelan, the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for the city. “I tell her, ‘it’s because they’re not illegal’. But if you do decide to do fireworks, again, don’t use illegal fireworks. So it really is a good idea to let the professionals do it and to be safe and to be smart.”
Freedom 4th details
This year’s Freedom Fourth celebration is headlined by Grammy-nominated Hunter Hayes, known for mixing his country roots with pop and genre-blending sounds.
Gates open at 3 p.m., with music starting at 4. The Danny Duran Band kicks things off, followed by La Ansiedad Norteña at 5:15 p.m., Michael Moxey and The Easy Sinners at 6:30 and a Fourth of July ceremony at 7:30. Hayes takes the stage at 7:45 and the night wraps up with fireworks at 9:15.
According to Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Director Dave Simon, who called Balloon Fiesta Park “the 86-acre giant front yard and backyard for Albuquerque,” is expecting 40,000 to 50,000 visitors for the Freedom 4th.
The event is free, but parking will cost $10 per car. To ease traffic and avoid the hassle, the city is offering free Park & Ride service, according to Arts and Culture Director Shelle Sanchez.
Two Park & Ride locations will be available. On the Westside, park at the Northwest Transit Center at 10401 Ellison Road NW. On the Eastside, use the lot west of Dick’s Sporting Goods at Coronado Center on San Pedro Drive, just south of Menaul Blvd.
Buses run to the park from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Return trips begin after the fireworks, with the last bus leaving at 11 p.m.
Security and signs will be on-site to help with wayfinding. Bags and coolers will be checked before boarding, and tents or canopies are not allowed on buses.
A free bike valet provided by Esperanza Bicycle Education Center will be available for those arriving on two wheels — just look for the big yellow valet signs.
Simon said they encourage people to use Park & Ride, but also hope active riders take advantage of the city’s trail system.
The trails lead directly into the park and extra lighting will be added along the North Diversion Channel Trail to make the ride safer and more enjoyable.
Sanchez said the best option for ride-share users, including Lyft or Uber, is to get dropped off and picked up at the San Carlos Cemetery parking lot, where shuttles will take riders into the park.
You can bring family, friends, chairs, umbrellas, coolers and strollers to Balloon Fiesta Park, but officials ask everyone to help keep the event safe and family-friendly.
“Do not bring your own fireworks, smokes, booze or weapons,” Sanchez said.
Fireworks, alcohol, glass, drug paraphernalia, weapons, BBQ grills and pets are not allowed at Balloon Fiesta Park. Smoking is also prohibited on all city property.
Fireworks safety and guidelines
During the press conference on Freedom Fourth and fireworks safety, Albuquerque Fire Marshal Jason Garcia said the Fourth of July is the department’s busiest time of year, and despite some recent rain, fire danger remains high across the city.
The city is under Stage 1 fire restrictions, which ban campfires outside developed sites, fireworks or pyrotechnics, smoking — except inside enclosed vehicles — off-road vehicle use in all Open Space areas, including the Bosque, West Mesa grasslands and Sandia Foothills.
“We’ve had some Bosque fires, so we’re really going to be monitoring the Bosque areas, Open Space areas and the foothills,” Garcia said.
He reminded residents not to flood the 911 system with reports of fireworks. “Save it for fires and EMS emergencies,” he said.
Garcia said the city has permitted the professional fireworks show at Balloon Fiesta Park and urged residents to enjoy that instead of lighting their own.
“We really encourage people to come out here, enjoy the food,” he said.
It’s going to be an amazing event. So far, the weather looks pretty good.”
According to Garcia, only legal fireworks — those that stay under 10 feet high, have a radius smaller than six feet and aren’t louder than a cap gun — are allowed in the city.
“Legal fireworks are marked with the word ‘Caution,’ while illegal ones usually say ‘Warning,’” Garcia said. Larger family packs sold by licensed vendors within the city may still say “Warning” due to the amount of gunpowder, but are inspected and approved.
Enforcement teams are monitoring firework sales and checking for banned items like Roman candles and bottle rockets.
Garcia said patrols will be out on the Fourth, and anyone caught illegally setting off fireworks can face a $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
“It’s a misdemeanor under the fire code and city ordinance,” he said.
Garcia also reminded residents to keep water or a hose nearby and properly soak used fireworks before throwing them out. “We’ve responded to garage and house fires caused by people dumping hot fireworks in the trash,” he said. Metal containers are safest for disposal.
He stressed the need for adult supervision, especially with sparklers, which cause most of the injuries they see, typically eye injuries and burns.
“You normally don’t let a kid run around with a flaming stick, but we do it for the Fourth of July,” he said.
Garcia also asked residents to respect neighbors, pets and young children who may be overwhelmed by the noise.
“So please respect your neighbors, and let’s all take care of each other,” he said.
Get involved
Report illegal fireworks:
- Call: 311 or (505) 768-2000
- Report Online
- Email 311 ccc@cabq.gov
Report fireworks outside Albuquerque:
- Bernalillo County: (505) 798-7000
- Rio Rancho: (505) 891-7226
For emergencies:
- Call 911
- Non-Emergency Police Calls: (505) 242-COPS
Sign up for Albuquerque Alerts at cabq.gov/office-of-emergency-management/abq-alert
