👋 Good morning, Albuquerque!
The State Fair has officially ended, which means we’re just a week away from the start of Balloon Fiesta. If you have FOMO, fall can be a dangerous time for the bank account in Albuquerque. This week is no different, and there are some events you are not going to want to miss.
We’ve got four big events packed into 48 hours: the Corrales Harvest Festival, New Mexico Railroad Days, the Albuquerque Folk Festival, Aki Matsuri, and one event we will absolutely be driving to 🍎.
Let's get into it.
THIS WEEK'S EVENT
Corrales Harvest Festival

Corrales Harvest Festival is back for the weekend, and you have the opportunity to choose between Saturday, Sunday, or if you really want both!
Here's what's happening: a great children's area, farm tours, the Corrales Growers Market, live music, a pet parade, arts and crafts, family activities, non-profit and business booths, food trucks, animals, tractor-pulled wagons, and a look at Corrales history. You won't want to miss it.
When: Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27, 9am–5pm
Where: La Entrada Park, 84 W La Entrada, Corrales
Cost: Free general admission, $20 wristband (age 13+, rides/Kidz Zone/beer garden), free 12 and under
Special event worth the drive: Apple Harvest Festival at Manzano Mountain Retreat (we will definitely be going to this). Apples, apple cider donuts, mini highland cows, mini donkeys, and a full vendor market, about an hour east in Torreon. Saturday & Sunday, 11am–5pm, $10.
MORE THIS WEEKEND
Friday, September 25
Nuclear Past, Present & Future: Art in Action — National Hispanic Cultural Center. Drop-in art activity, runs through Sunday.
Time: 10am–4pm | Price: Free–$6Bookworks Story Time — Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande Blvd NW
Time: 10:30am | Price: Free
Saturday, September 26
New Mexico Railroad Days — Albuquerque South Rail Yards, 1300 2nd St SW. Steam locomotive, cab tours, and a touch-a-truck lineup, also runs Sunday.
Time: 10am–4pm | Price: FreeAlbuquerque Folk Festival — NHCC Campus, 1701 4th St SW. Instrument petting zoo, face painting, and stilt walkers. Kids under 18 free.
Time: 10am–9pm | Price: Kids under 18 free, $25 adults, $20 students/seniors/military/disabilityDowntown Growers' Market — Robinson Park, 810 Copper Ave NW
Time: 8am–12pm | Price: FreeHabitat for Humanity LegoBuild Event — Asbury United Methodist Church, 10000 Candelaria Rd NE. Ages 6–13.
Time: 9:30am–12:30pm | Price: FreeHarvest Festival at Casa San Ysidro — Casa San Ysidro, Corrales
Time: 10am–4pm | Price: FreeAnnual Rose Show — ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, 2601 Central Ave NW
Time: 10am–4pm | Price: Garden admissionAcoma Family Dance Group — Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th St NW. Also performing Sunday.
Time: 11am–12pm & 2–3pm | Price: Museum admission appliesNew Mexico United vs. Sacramento Republic FC — Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park. "Meow Wolf Night."
Time: 6:55pm | Price: From $19
Sunday, September 27
Aki Matsuri: Japanese Fall Festival — Expo New Mexico. Taiko drumming and a full day of Japanese culture.
Time: 10am–5pm | Price: Kids 5 and under free with a paying adult; adult pricing not posted, check the event pageRail Yards Market — STEAM Day — Albuquerque Rail Yards, 777 1st St SW. This week's market has a science, tech, engineering, art, and math theme mixed in with the usual vendors.
Time: 10am–2pm | Price: FreeFree Sunday Mornings — Albuquerque Museum
Time: 9am–1pm | Price: FreeFree Sunday Mornings — Anderson-Abruzzo Balloon Museum, 9201 Balloon Museum Dr NE. A warm-up before Balloon Fiesta.
Time: 9am–1pm | Price: Free7th Annual TyRUNnosaurus 5K Run/Walk — NM Museum of Natural History & Science, 1801 Mountain Rd NW
Time: 8:30–11am | Price: $20–$45Sunday Brunch Music with Goh Kurosawa — tiny grocer ABQ, near Old Town
Time: 11am | Price: Free
TO DO
New Mexico Comic Expo

Photo: Edward Yee
After five years, the New Mexico Comic Expo is back in Albuquerque. This one's fun for the entire family, even if you're not into comics.
You'll spot people dressed up as some of your favorite characters throughout the weekend. There's an Artist Alley full of local creators, a vendor hall stocked with comics, trading cards, anime and manga merch, and retro toys and games, plus celebrity guest panels and cosplay all weekend long. Kids 12 and under get in free.
A few guests you might know (check out the website for the full list):
Mindy Sterling — Frau Farbissina from Austin Powers (this one's for you, not your kids)
Gui Agustini — does the voice for Sunspot in X-Men '97, the reboot that has taken the world by storm
Nadji Jeter — the voice of Miles Morales, a very big deal if your kid has watched the Spider-Verse movies
When: Saturday, September 26 & Sunday, September 27, 10am–6pm
Where: Marriott Albuquerque, 2101 Louisiana Blvd NE
Cost: From $28.26 one day, $33.58 both days, kids 12 and under free. Buy online by Friday, September 25, or you'll pay at the door instead.
DUKE CITY EATS
Heatwave Coffee

This week we stopped by Heatwave Coffee in the NE Heights.
Heatwave Coffee opened in 2024 and has built a loyal following, currently sitting at 4.6 stars on Google. The owner is genuinely responsive to reviews, which makes it easy to feel good about supporting a local spot.
One thing that makes Heatwave so unique is their seasonal drinks. Right now they have the Biscochito Matcha, Caramel Latte, Bourbon Apple Chai-der, and Cran-mary Fizz.
We went with a cold brew and an iced latte. For the kids, there's a solid lineup of pastry options, plus hot chocolate!
Where: 8001 Wyoming Blvd NE, Suite B8
Hours: Daily, 7am–6pm
QUICK ASK
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👋 See you next Thursday!
Jasmine & Jacob
Duke City Parents