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riograndeartsandcrafts

Nationally ranked juried art festivals in Abq, NM…Next stop >> 36th Annual Balloon Festival Show — OCT 2-4 & 9-11, 2026 @ Sandia Resort & Casino

THREE WEEKS. That’s it. Three weeks until the Rio THREE WEEKS.

That’s it. Three weeks until the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival Balloon Festival Show returns for its 36th year with an incredible group of artists, collectors, friends, and art lovers.

We’ve been previewing some of the work you’ll find at the show, but there’s nothing like seeing it in person. Beneath the iconic big white tent, patrons shop for fine art, glass, jewelry & more while hot air balloons drift overhead. With live music, craft brews, and a specialty culinary market, the festival offers a top-notch, high-energy marketplace experience unlike any other.

Just three weeks until the first weekend of Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festivals Balloon Fiesta Show kicks off. Get your tickets today (link in bio)

OCT 2-4 & 9-11, 2026 | @ SANDIA RESORT & CASINO | ALBUQUERQUE, NM

Doors open at 9am daily. The festival closes at 5pm each day, except the final Sunday (10/11), it concludes at 4pm. 

@riograndeartsandcrafts @sandiacasino #riograndeartsandcraftsfestival #albuquerqueinternationalballoonfiesta #albuquerqueevents #fineartnewmexico
Elevate your home with something original. ✨ A str Elevate your home with something original. ✨
A striking painting.
A beautifully crafted piece of pottery.
A photograph that captures a place or feeling.
A sculpture that becomes the conversation piece of a room.
A piece of functional art that enhances your space by turning an everyday object into a beautiful, practical centerpiece.

At the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival, you’ll find original fine art created by talented artists and craftspeople from across the country—and you’ll have the opportunity to meet the people behind the work.

Come discover our artists.
Find something truly one of a kind.
Bring a little more beauty home.

🎨 The 36th Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival
📍 Sandia Resort & Casino | Albuquerque
🎈 October 2–4 & 9–11

200 juried artists. Fine art. Fine craft. Two unforgettable weekends.

@riograndeartsandcrafts @sandiacasino #riograndeartsandcraftsfestival #albuquerqueinternationalballoonfiesta
A True New Mexican Tradition! Now in its 36th ye A True New Mexican Tradition! 

Now in its 36th year, the Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival is a top-ranking juried show featuring 200 of the nation’s premier artists and craftsmen. Perfectly timed to coincide with the International Balloon Fiesta, this world-class art festival at Sandia Resort & Casino showcases both contemporary works and traditional pieces from across the U.S. as well as from many Native Nations. Beneath the iconic big white tent, patrons shop for fine art, glass, jewelry & more while hot air balloons drift overhead. With live music, craft brews, and a specialty culinary market, the festival offers a top-notch, high-energy marketplace experience unlike any other.

36th Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival
Balloon Festival Show
OCT 2-4 & 9-11, 2026 | @ SANDIA RESORT & CASINO | ALBUQUERQUE, NM

Doors open at 9am daily. The festival closes at 5pm each day, except the final Sunday (10/11), it concludes at 4pm. 

@riograndeartsandcrafts @sandiacasino 

#riograndeartsandcraftsfestival #sandiacasino #albuquerqueevents #nmtrue albuquerqueinternationalballoonfiesta
Look a little closer. There is so much more to dis Look a little closer.
There is so much more to discover at Rio Grande than what you see at first glance.

Each piece of fine art tells a story. Textures, marks, lines and tiny details show artisan’s skill, dedication, and creativity. Superior features and finishings demonstrate each craftsman’s expertise and pursuit of excellence and beauty. 

These are the things that don’t quite translate through a screen.

We’re looking forward to bringing hundreds of fine artists and makers together for the 36th Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Balloon Festival Show. Come see what catches your eye. 

ART | ENTERTAINMENT | FOOD & DRINK 

OCT 2-4 & 9-11, 2026 | @ SANDIA RESORT & CASINO | ALBUQUERQUE, NM

Come join us after the balloons go up!
Doors open at 9am daily. The festival closes at 5pm each day, except the final Sunday (10/11), it concludes at 4pm. 

@riograndeartsandcrafts @sandiacasino 

Artists featured above:
Krysteen Waszak @krysteenwaszakart 
Jay Higgins of Jay Higgins Knives 
Aimee Wolfe @aimeewolfejewelry 
Kerrin Pogozelski @buxiejo 
Henry Bergeson @henry_bergeson_kaleidoscopes 
Baker Street Inc. 
Carlos Montanaro @rewindjewelry 
Karyn Holyk @bluesoul_creative 
Emma Lujan @mission_valley_pottery 
Mel Mendez of Mendez Rugs
IT’S TIME. 🎨✨ Tickets are officially ON SALE for t IT’S TIME. 🎨✨ Tickets are officially ON SALE for the 36th Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival!
… And if you’re planning to come more than once, there’s a pretty great deal waiting for you:
🎟️ FESTIVAL PASS — $20
Come and go all 6 days of the festival with unlimited re-entry — for less than the cost of two single-day tickets!

OR grab an Early Bird Single-Day Ticket for just $12 and save when you buy in advance. Early Bird pricing increases October 1.

📅 October 2-4 & 9-11
📍 Sandia Resort
✨ Six days. Hundreds of reasons to come back.
🖼️ Handmade art, one-of-a-kind finds & incredible artists 
❤️ And plenty of reasons to make a day of it.
Who are you bringing? Tag your festival partner below! 👇
🎟️ Get your tickets now: SEE LINK IN BIO or visit our website. 

@riograndeartsandcrafts @sandiacasino #riograndeartsandcraftsfestival #albuquerqueevents #nmtrue #albuquerqueinternationalballoonfiesta
You might come for one thing... And then you’ll p You might come for one thing...

And then you’ll probably find something you didn’t come looking for.

That’s part of the fun 😉

The 36th Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival returns October 2–4 & 9–11, beneath the big white tent at Sandia Resort & Casino. 
200 juried artists. Live music. Food. And, of course, balloons overhead.

What will you come for?

Get your tickets today! Link in bio 💫

Doors open at 9am - 5pm daily. Event ends at 4pm on Sunday, Oct 11. 

@riograndeartsandcrafts @sandiacasino #riograndeartsandcraftsfestival #albuquerqueevents #newmexicoevents #albuquerqueinternationalballoonfiesta
A few more of the fantastic artists and works we’l A few more of the fantastic artists and works we’ll be welcoming to Albuquerque this October.

There is always something new to discover.

Artists tagged on slides. First work is by Johanne BLaquiere. 

36th Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival
Balloon Festival Show

OCT 2-4 & 9-11, 2026 | @ SANDIA RESORT & CASINO | ALBUQUERQUE, NM

Join us After the balloons go up! 
Friday – Sunday | October 2-4
Friday – Sunday | October 9-11

Doors open at 9am daily. The festival closes at 5pm each day, except the final Sunday (10/11), it concludes at 4pm.

@riograndeartsandcrafts @sandiacasino #riograndeartsandcraftsfestival #sandiacasino #albuquerqueinternationalballoonfiesta #newmexicoevents #albuquerqueevents
@riograndeartsandcrafts … a LOT of talent under on @riograndeartsandcrafts … a LOT of talent under one very big white tent.

The skill.
The craftsmanship.
The stories.
The one-of-a-kind pieces you won’t find just anywhere.

Albuquerque in the fall.
Crisp air. Golden light.
That unmistakable New Mexico feeling.

Live music in the outdoor pavilion. 
Mariachis strolling through the tent. 
Magic shows & face painting.

Because where else can you shop exceptional art while hot air balloons drift across the morning sky?

People discovering, connecting, shopping, and celebrating art.

…And experience a little piece of what makes The Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Fest so special.

This is what happens when you put great art in a place that already knows how to make a moment.

Art is at the heart of it.
Everything else makes it unforgettable.

36th Annual
Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival
Balloon Festival Show
OCT 2-4 & 9-11, 2026 | @ SANDIA RESORT & CASINO | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | 9am - 5pm* 

*event ends at 4pm on Sunday, Oct 11

@riograndeartsandcrafts @sandiacasino
The work we’re previewing is incredible … but it’s The work we’re previewing is incredible … but it’s even better in person. 

The art. The talent. The artists. The energy.

We’re already looking forward to bringing it all back to Albuquerque this October❤️

Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival … where you come for the art and stay for the experience.

36th Annual Rio Grande Arts & Crafts Festival Balloon Festival Show
OCT 2-4 & 9-11, 2026 | @ SANDIA RESORT & CASINO | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | 9a-5p Daily (event concludes Sunday, Oct 11 at 4p)

@riograndeartsandcrafts @sandiacasino #riograndeartsandcraftsfestival #albuquerqueevents #nmtrue #albuquerqueinternationalballoonfiesta #supportartists
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