ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—Visit Albuquerque has awarded $500,000 to 36 tourism projects and events through its 2026 Tourism Grant Program, including initiatives that could expand Albuquerque’s offerings for leisure travelers, meetings, and sports tourism.
The city’s official destination marketing organization received 84 applications requesting a combined $2.59 million. The fourth-year program awarded funding in three categories: 12 Incubator grants, 19 Innovator grants, and five signature event grants.
“The projects selected for this cycle of our Tourism Grant Program reflect the creativity of the Albuquerque community while advancing key priorities in the Destination Master Plan,” says Tania Armenta, president and CEO of Visit Albuquerque. “These investments will expand the experiences available to visitors and residents, generate demand during traditionally slower periods, and strengthen Albuquerque’s competitiveness as a destination for leisure travel, meetings, and sports tourism.”
The program is funded through revenue generated by the Albuquerque Tourism Marketing District, which includes approximately 140 local lodging properties that assess guests on overnight stays. Visit Albuquerque uses the funds to market the destination and enhance the visitor experience.
Incubator grants provided up to $10,000 for project implementation. Among the recipients are 516 Arts for its First Fridays event series; the Albuquerque German Language Club, for Christkindlmarket; Blackout Theater, for its Art Official Intelligence: A Human-Made Art Festival; the Juneteenth Renaissance Institute, for the Heart of ABQ 6.6K; and WHEELS Museum, for the Route 66: Roads & Rails Transportation Festival.
Innovator grants are supporting projects ranging from free concerts and cultural programming to festivals, exhibits, tourism infrastructure, and destination experiences. Recipients include the Anderson Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum Foundation, AMP Concerts, Arts Hub, Casa Flamenca, Downtown ABQ Main Street and Arts & Culture District, Flamenco Works Inc., Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, New Mexico Restaurant Association, New Mexico Wine & Grape Growers Association, Olympia Management, Pleased to Present, and The Historic Lobo Theater.
Five major events also received $10,000 each, along with customized marketing campaigns: the ExxonMobil Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, Day of the Tread, Dia de los Muertos, Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque, and the National Institute of Flamenco’s Festival Flamenco Alburquerque 40th Anniversary.
The signature events span the fall 2026 and summer 2027 calendars and include the world’s largest hot-air balloon gathering, an annual bicycle race, a multiday Day of the Dead celebration, a mariachi concert and conference, and a major flamenco event.
Visit Albuquerque will oversee and collaborate with recipients as projects are implemented. The next Tourism Grant Program application period is scheduled to open in spring 2027. For more information, visit their website.
