Free drive-in movie night returns to Balloon Fiesta Park

A free screening of A Goofy Movie at Balloon Fiesta Park gave Bernalillo County families a no-admission night out in the east parking lot on June 24. Gates opened at 6 p.m. and the movie started at 8:30 p.m., part of the City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County’s Seasons of Nonviolence campaign.

The setup catered to households that could drive in and stay for the evening. Attendees listened through their car radios with a transmitter, and the event worked best for families with access to a vehicle and enough flexibility to get to the park before dusk. For parents watching budgets, the biggest savings was the ticket price itself, though gas and any food bought on site still came with the night out.

Seasons of Nonviolence was formerly called Summer of Nonviolence and is meant to foster peace and community cohesion for youth and families. The joint City-County effort combines recreation, learning, socializing and wellness resources in one safe place, while encouraging young people to take a pledge of nonviolence. The 2026 calendar also includes drive-in movie nights on July 8 and July 22, along with a pool party and a basketball camp.

More than 1,200 people attended a 2025 Summer of Nonviolence drive-in at the park, with Bernalillo County, City of Albuquerque Parks & Recreation, the Albuquerque Community Safety Department and the Albuquerque Police Department among the sponsors. That broader summer lineup in 2025 also included sports, library programs, outdoor movies and workshops.

The June screening also came with food trucks and community resources, and attendees who completed an event survey received a voucher for use at an on-site food truck.