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This past week was our first of 3 housesitting in Denver for some friends of ours. We were pretty excited for the opportunity to housesit and get to explore the area. Per usual, we’re winging our plans. Being it was the start of Labor Day weekend, I knew there had to be some fun things to do around the area.
So while sitting on the deck, enjoying the cool, not-Minnesota-humid morning, I started Googling what there was to do around Denver. What?! One of the top Hot Air Balloon Festivals in the US was happening just an hour away.
We missed the morning launch but happened to catch the evening glow event which was spectacular. At dark, all of the balloons sit on the ground and flicker/ignite their burners to provide a magical sight for the attendees.
So it got me thinking, what other amazing hot air balloon festivals are out there? Here’s what we’ve found:
Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off
The Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off fills the Colorado skies with about 70 different balloons over Labor Day weekend. Festival goers are allowed people to roam the grounds between the balloons as crews prepare them for flight, and then inflate and launch. There are food vendors, music and other entertainment all throughout the weekend. Remote Control Balloon Displays, USAFA Wings of Blue Sky Dive Jumpers and if you’re really hungry…..a Krispy Kreme Doughnut Eating Contest 😛
Be sure to be around for sunset to view the hot air balloons as they light up each night for the Night Glow event with Pike’s Peak in the background!
Where: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Time of Year: September (Labor Day Weekend)
Admission: FREE!!
The Wings of Blue U.S. Air Force Demonstration Team puts on a show, specifically tailored for the event location. They show off popular demo maneuvers include the Wings of Blue bombburst, and Canopy Relative Work where the jumpers will join their parachutes together and fly as one. Additionally, jumpers fly streamers and a massive 800 square foot American flag!
Each demonstration is complemented with a special soundtrack and narration for full crowd enjoyment. Upon landing, the demonstrators will move to the crowd where they will sign autographs, take pictures, and answer questions.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
For nine days in October the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, creates an enchanted world of special shape balloon rodeos, twilight balloon glows, and vibrant balloon-filled skies. Brisk autumnal mornings in the Rio Grande Valley create an otherworldly backdrop for the breathtaking majesty of our most popular event, Mass Ascension. The experience of watching hundreds of gentle airy giants take flight is at once humbling and inspiring. It’s the allure of these magical moments and more that have continued to bring ballooning fans worldwide together for more than 50 years.
Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Time of Year: October
Admission: Starting at $15 per “session” (Balloon Fiesta consists of 14 “sessions”. A session is all of the activities that take place during a certain time frame (morning or evening))
Balloon Fiesta Park’s launch field alone is comparable to the size of 54 football fields. This 60+ acre area is necessary to accommodate the 500+ balloons that launch during the event. The total expanse of the Park is a whopping 365 acres, custom designed to facilitate the largest ballooning event on earth. The Fiesta has grown into the most photographed event in the world.
Havasu Balloon Festival
In a short 12 years, the Havasu Balloon Festival has become the largest January balloon festival! Their attendance ranges between 30,000 to 50,000 attendees with over 70 hot air balloons. The 3-day festival is packed with activities and all proceeds are donated back into the community.
Where: Lake Havasu City, Arizona
Time of Year: January
Admission: General admission start at $20
There is a 5K fun run/walk on Saturday and all participants get a free day admission to the festival.
National Balloon Classic
The spectacular, 9-day event held every summer features 100+ hot air balloons that paint the Iowa sky with brilliant colors and unique special shapes. Enjoy live music on the TruBank stage, buy a balloon ride for a one-of-a-kind experience, and prepare to be awestruck as dark skies come alive with a mystical glow during Nite Glow. Fabulous food vendors, beer/wine, fireworks, Special Shapes, and so much more!
Where: Indianola, Iowa
Time of Year: End of July
Admission: Staring at $10
This event has hosted a competitive hot air balloon event for over 50 years, and they take competition seriously! The National Balloon Classic is host of the National Balloon Classic Championship, State Championship, North Central Regional Championship, and U.S. Women’s National Championship.
New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning
The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America and is the premiere family entertainment attraction in New Jersey.
Held annually, the festival truly has something for everyone! From twice daily mass ascensions of up to 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons, to headlining concerts, non-stop family entertainment, hundreds of crafters and vendors, great food, fireworks, a balloon glow, and more, the festival is jam-packed with stuff to do.
Where: Readington, New Jersey
Time of Year: End of July
Admission: General admission starts at $40/day
This festival holds the dual distinction of being a recipient of The New Jersey Governor’s Award for Best Special Event, as well as being designated multiple times as a Top 100 Festival in North America by the American Bus Association.
Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival
The longest running hot air balloon festival in New England! Don’t miss this exciting festival featuring up to 20 hot air balloons with five flights scheduled throughout the festival and additional tethered rides during the day. Enjoy continuous music and entertainment for all ages, and over 50 craft artisans and commercial vendors and several interactive activities in our Free Kids Zone. And of course there will be festival food with local healthy options and a beer and wine garden, with more surprises on site!
Where: Quechee, Vermont
Time of Year: June
Admission: $15 per adult for the entire weekend
Tethered Rides are offered for just $25 and give riders a taste of Ballooning while being held down by long ropes only floating up to 50 feet in the air. They are a great way for small children or elders to experience a balloon ride. Like all other Balloon Rides, tethered ride are also weather permitting. Each ride lasts 5 – 10 minutes.
Great Reno Balloon Race
The Great Reno Balloon Race is the world’s largest free hot-air ballooning event. During three days in early September, you can look up into the Reno skies and see a rainbow of hot air balloons soaring about. From its humble beginnings in 1982 with just 20 balloons, The Great Reno Balloon Race has taken flight with up to 100 balloons each year.
Where: Reno, Nevada
Time of Year: September
Admission: FREE!!
Dawn Patrol – A trademark of The Great Reno Balloon Race worth the early rise, the show features a handful of balloons that are qualified to fly in the dark. This is a dangerous task as atmospheric conditions change drastically as the sun begins to rise. Balloonists glow, twinkle and fly along with choreographed music across a darkened sky, leaving the crowd awe struck.
Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival
Hot air balloons, live music, wine and beer? How can you go wrong? This fun-filled three day event offers early morning Hot Air Balloon Flights, an evening Balloon Glow, Wine Tastings, Craft Beer as well as a Commercial Court with over 150 vendors – and a Food Court filled with your favorite Festival foods!
Where: Winchester, California
Time of Year: Early June
Admission: Starting at $35. 50% off General Admission tickets at gate for Active & Retired Military and 1st Responders
Offering three days of exquisite local wine and top-name entertainment, the Main Stage brings concert goers to their feet! Bring a blanket or low backed chair to kick back and enjoy – or get close and up front with Silver Seating. The Wine Stage is live almost all day – each day – with local favorites and the up and coming.
Teton Valley Balloon Rally
The Teton Valley Balloon Rally is a July 4th institution in Teton Valley, ID – drawing spectators and pilots from around the country.
Where: Driggs, Idaho
Time of Year: July
Admission: $25/vehicle containing up to (6) people
The Teton Valley Balloon Rally (TVBR) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, committed to keeping the magic of ballooning alive in the years to come. The TVBR organization provides ongoing program opportunities for elementary schools and provides a scholarship to a Balloon Federation of America Junior Balloonist Summer Camp to a deserving middle or high school student each year.
Is there another pretty awesome hot air balloon festival that you know about that we need to add to our list? Tell us about it in the comment section below!
