ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® Announces Special Shape Balloons Attending the 53rd Event

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The 53rd ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® will host the largest gathering of special shape balloons as a part of the world’s premier balloon event, October 4-12, 2025. This year’s event will include 100 special shape balloons; 11 of those shapes will make their first Balloon Fiesta appearance.

With twelve countries represented in this year’s event, three countries will be showcasing their new special shapes. Pilots from Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America will bring their new-shaped hot air balloons to the Albuquerque skies.

Special shape hot air balloons and the pilot’s home country, making their inaugural appearance at Balloon Fiesta, include:

Balloon Name	Country
Z-Boy	Brazil
Universal Supreme Leader	United Kingdom
Vlad Drácula	Brazil
Tupuna-Moai	Brazil
Como se Llama	United States of America
No Prob Llama	United States of America
Splash Duck	Brazil
Pirata Joe	Brazil
Geronimo	Brazil
Boo	United States of America
King Capybara	Brazil

In addition to these new balloons, many fan-favorite special shapes will return, including the Bees — Joey the Little Bee, Joelly, and Lilly Little Bee — along with Smokey Bear, Steggy, Darth Vader and Master Yoda Balloon.

Special shape hot air balloons and the pilot’s home country returning to Balloon Fiesta include:

Balloon Name	Country
Bob the Lighthouse	United States of America
In the Buff	United States of America
Wes the Wolf	United Kingdom
Baby T-Rex	United States of America
Koshare Gallup	United States of America
Cutie Dink	United States of America
Ham-Let	United States of America
Sushi	United States of America
Milky Way	United States of America
Flip Flop Fantasies	United States of America
Barx	United States of America
Wagz	United States of America
Humpty Dumpty	United States of America
Lindy	United States of America
Spyderpig	United States of America
Intelligent Design	United States of America
Macaw Red	Brazil
Blue Macaw	Brazil
O Tubarao Martelo	Brazil
Steggy	Brazil
Airabelle, The Creamland Cow	Canada
Freedom Flight V	United States of America
Balloonaful Sunrise	United States of America
Princess Nelly	Belgium
Hug A Bear	Belgium
Splash	United Kingdom
Churro	United States of America
Hopper T Frog	United States of America
Joey the Little Bee	United States of America
Buttercup	United States of America
Amelia Bearhart	United States of America
Pico	United Kingdom
Bella the Bulldog	United Kingdom
Busby the Kings Guard	United Kingdom
Hyla the Frog	United Kingdom
Panther	United Kingdom
Kermie the Frog	United States of America
Daz	United States of America
Ted D Bear	United States of America
Billy the Kid	United States of America
Tico the Sloth	Canada
Tall Steve	United States of America
Lulu	United States of America
Darth Vader	United States of America
Sir Mix-A-Lot	United States of America
Itsy Bitsy	United States of America
Beagle Maximus	United States of America
Smokey Bear	United States of America
Pencil Boy	United States of America
Te Amo	United States of America
Party!	United States of America
Beach Bound	United States of America
Duma	United States of America
1 Down 8-2 Go	United States of America
Chris P. Bacon	United States of America
Carousel	United States of America
Police Dog	United States of America
Buster the Bulldog	United States of America
Tiger	United States of America
Astro the Alien	France
IVO	United States of America
Montie the Black Sheep	United States of America
Frankboy	Brazil
Little Dog	Brazil
Puddles	United States of America
Fire Dog	United States of America
Spunky	United States of America
Hunter, the Fox	Brazil
Vampirella	Belgium
Master Yoda Balloon	Belgium
Frankenstein	Brazil
Mango the Seahorse	United States of America
Teddy Twins	United States of America
Joelly	United States of America
Ms. Autumn	United States of America
Kong	United States of America
Somethin’ Fishy	United States of America
Snobird	United States of America
Ziggy	United States of America
Pigasus	United States of America
Stork	United States of America
Xfinity	United States of America
Tiny the Fire Dog	United States of America
Voluntold	United States of America
Happiest Balloon on Earth	United States of America
Cynthia Seal	United States of America
Lilly Little Bee	United States of America
Bandit	United States of America
Elvis Tribute Balloon	United States of America

“These balloons spark joy and capture the imagination unlike anything else in the world,” said Miranda Portillo, pilot coordinator. “From the moment they inflate, special shapes transform the park into a wonderland of creativity, drawing awe and wonder.”

Special shapes will take center stage during the Special Shape Rodeos on Oct. 9 and 10 at 7:00 a.m. and the Special Shape Glowdeo on Oct. 9 and 10 at 6:30 p.m. From flying farm animals and pirates to Dracula himself, this year’s lineup of special shapes promises to surprise, delight and thrill Balloon Fiesta guests.

Get an early look at this year’s special shapes by following Balloon Fiesta on Facebook and Twitter.

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About the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Inc.

The ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is an annual festival of hot air balloons that takes place every October in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. It is the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world. For details on events, schedule, entertainment and photographs, visit our website balloonfiesta.com and follow us on Twitter/X and Facebook @BalloonFiesta.