The Paper. – 13 new special shapes pilots and crews are making plans to join the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for the first time in 2026.
Fiesta officials confirmed this week that this year’s special shapes group will be the world’s largest at 117, including 13 new shapes featuring a parrot, a diamond, a panda and more.
Special shape fan favorites will also be back in full force, some carrying decades of Balloon Fiesta tradition with them, said Balloon Fiesta organizers. Favorites such as Astro the Alien, Chic-I-Boom, Humpty Dumpty, Tiny the Fire Dog, Zorro, and dozens more will make their way into the sky over Albquerque this October.
See all 13 of the new shapes and share your favorites in The Paper.’s Facebook page online.