Fall Hot Air Balloon Festivals

As a child growing up in Michigan, I loved to see the sight of a hot air balloon illuminated by the sunset as my family enjoyed the view of fall foliage from the ground. It seems that I am not alone. Fall is a popular time for hot air balloon enthusiasts to get together at festivals and launch their hot air balloons. You too can enjoy the sight of these beautiful inventions that have been dotting the sky since the first flight in the 1780s in France.

Taos Mountain Balloon Rally - Taos, NM - Oct 27 to Oct 29, 2023
A weekend of hot air balloons amid the fall colors in New Mexico. Typically hosts 35-50 balloons and crews.

Kiwanis Club Hot Air Balloon Festival - Bloomington, IN - Oct 26 to Oct 28, 2023
Hot air balloon

Poteau Balloon Fest - Poteau, OK - Oct 20 to Oct 21, 2023
Held on the LeFlore County Fair Grounds. Carnival rides, tethered balloon rides, helicopter rides and monster truck rides. Pageant, pet contest, mud race and mud tug of war. Free parking.

Great Mississippi River Balloon Race - Natchez, MS - Oct 20 to Oct 21, 2023
Held at Rosalie Bicentennial Gardens, it features a carnival section with rides, games, and fun for all ages. Enjoy plenty of food. Local sports bars host college football on Saturday and the Saints football on Sunday. Also the exciting Balloon Race plus live music all weekend.

Carolina Balloon Fest - Statesville, NC - Oct 20 to Oct 22, 2023
Watch 50 hot air balloons rise to the skies! Enjoy tethered balloon rides for – proceeds from the event benefit local nonprofits. Live music entertainment on 2 stages, plus a kids’ zone, artisan marketplace, 5k run, wine and beer tasting and more.

Animas Valley Balloon Rally - Durango, CO - Oct 20 to Oct 22, 2023
Take in ColoradoÂ’’s stunning fall colors from above at the Animas Valley Balloon Rally. This family-friendly event features morning mass ascensions and nighttime balloon glows.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta - Albuquerque, NM - Oct 7 to Oct 15, 2023
Hot air balloon launches, live music, flying competition, car show and more. Since 1972.

Columbus Day Festival Hot Air Balloon Regatta - Columbus, KS - Oct 6 to Oct 8, 2023
Lots of events on the schedule here in addition to the colorful hot air balloons. BBQ cookoff, scarecrow contest, pancake breakfast, 5K, petting zoo, parade, car & motorcycle show, tractor pull, children’s corner, petting zoo, inflatables and more. Visit downtown Columbus to join in all the fun!

Touchstone Energy Balloon Fest - Lake Shelbyville, IL - Oct 6 to Oct 8, 2023
Balloon launches, music, crafts, community breakfast fundraiser, helicopter rides, balloon glow, cookouts and festival foods, kids area, and more. Launches are weather dependent for safety.

Snowmass Balloon Festival - Snowmass Village, CO - Sep 22 to Sep 24, 2023
One of the highest altitude balloon events in the country, with more than 30 pilots competing in challenges.

Adirondack Balloon Fest - Queensbury, NY - Sep 21 to Sep 24, 2023
Craft fair, balloons and rides, and more

Plano Balloon Festival - Plano, TX - Sep 21 to Sep 24, 2023
Event takes place at Oak Point Park. 45 hot air balloons, sky divers, live music, fireworks, and kids fun zone. Tethered balloon rides available for $15-20 per person. 1/2 Marathon, 5K and 1K runs. General admission is $5. Parking is $5-10.

Colorfest Balloon Festival - Pagosa Springs, CO - Sep 15 to Sep 17, 2023
Durango has a lot of fun planned during the weekend of this balloon festival, including a Wine & Food Festival on Friday (21+), and Bands & Brews Festival on Saturday! Mass balloon ascensions will take place both Saturday and Sunday morning, meaning the fun and festivities roll on all weekend! 5k Color Run on Sunday morning. Brews and Balloon festivals feature events for all ages, check out the Pagosa Chamber page for more info and ticketing availability!

Great Forest Park Balloon Race - St Louis, MO - Sep 15 to Sep 16, 2023
The oldest and most well-attended FREE Hot-Air Balloon Event in the World. Since 1973.

Champaign County Balloon Fest - Urbana, OH - Sep 8 to Sep 9, 2023
Included will be children’s games and activities, music, food trucks, and assorted vendors. The Champaign Aviation Museum will be open, and the Grimes Flying Lab and a B-25 will be on Display. In addition to food trucks, the Airport Cafe will be open serving a full menu and the famous “Airport Pie”! The balloons will launch at 6:00 pm followed by a pizza/wings eating contest, then a Balloon Glow.

Great Reno Balloon Race - Reno, NV - Sep 8 to Sep 10, 2023
One of the largest free hot-air ballooning event in the world, with almost 100 balloons and 120,000 spectators each year.

Windsor Harvest Festival - Windsor, CO - Sep 2 to Sep 4, 2023
3-day event with live entertainment, arts & crafts, amusement rides, concerts, hot air balloon, fireworks and more.

Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival - Pine Mountain, GA - Sep 1 to Sep 3, 2023
Balloon launches, including morning and evening flights, are accompanied by live entertainment, family activities, exhibits, demonstrations, music and more – including fun activities like swimming, mini golf, table tennis, arts & crafts, a rock climbing wall, kites, a car show, tie-dye T-shirt making, and more!

Danville Festival of Balloons - Dansville, NY - Sep 1 to Sep 3, 2023
Over 35,000 attend this festival starting with the free balloon GLOW on Thursday night. Festival has six scheduled balloon launches, international food court, free entertainment, rides and amusements, car show, and craft vendors.

Spirit of Boise - Boise, ID - Aug 30 to Sep 3, 2023
Family friendly event to watch the hot air balloons launch. Held at Ann Morrison Park. Free admission. Founded in 1991.

Fall River Hot Air Balloon Festival - Hot Springs, SD - Aug 25 to Aug 27, 2023
Annual hot air balloon with sunrise and skydiving options

Quad Cities Balloon Fest - Moline, IL - Aug 11 to Aug 12, 2023
Hot air balloon festival at Rock Island County Fairgrounds. In lieu of admission they ask for a donation of non-perishable food items to support the River Bend Foodbank.

Arkansas Hot Air Balloon State Championship - Harrison, AR - Aug 8 to Sep 10, 2023
A balloon race competition with tethered rides, kids fest and more family friendly fun. Check the schedule for all venues but most of the action takes place at Boone County Regional Airport.

Harvest Balloon Festival - Flowery Branch, GA - Oct 5 to Oct 5, 2019
Festival includes carnival rides, kids games, pumpkin painting, music, food, and more, plus of course hot air balloons! Proceeds go towards local organizations, such as the Hall County Animal Shelter and Family Promise of Hall County.

Snowmass hot air balloon festival

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