17 Best Hot Air Balloon Festivals in the U.S. – 2025

Hot air balloon festivals are some of the most breathtaking events to experience in the U.S. Whether you’re an avid traveler, a photography enthusiast, or just looking for a magical adventure, these festivals offer stunning sights, family-friendly activities, and unforgettable memories.

From sunrise mass ascensions to mesmerizing nighttime balloon glows, here’s a list of 17 must-visit hot air balloon festivals in 2025 that will take your breath away.

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1. Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival

📍 Foley, AL

🗓 May 1-3, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Live music, arts & crafts, sunrise & sunset flights

This annual festival in Alabama is a fantastic way to kick off the hot air balloon season. The festival features dazzling balloon flights, craft vendors, and live entertainment. Watch colorful balloons take off at sunrise and enjoy a romantic sunset balloon glow in the evening.

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2. Atlanta Hot Air Balloon Festival

📍 Hampton, GA

🗓 June 13-14, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Evening balloon glows, tethered rides, food vendors

Just outside Atlanta, this festival offers a spectacular balloon glow event that lights up the night sky. Visitors can take tethered rides for a bird’s-eye view of the festival grounds and indulge in delicious local food from vendors.

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3. National Balloon Classic

📍 Indianola, IA

🗓 July 25 - August 2, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Fireworks, live music, over 100 hot air balloons

With over 100 balloons soaring through the sky, the National Balloon Classic is one of the largest hot air balloon festivals in the Midwest. Enjoy live concerts, a breathtaking night glow, and a grand fireworks show to wrap up the event.

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4. Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival

📍 Townsend, TN

🗓 August 16, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Balloon glow, live entertainment, local crafts

Nestled in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains, this festival is a scenic dream. The balloon glow at sunset is a major highlight, creating a magical display against the mountain backdrop. Explore local craft booths and enjoy regional music performances.

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5. Plano Balloon Festival

📍 Plano, TX

🗓 September 18-21, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Family fun, mass balloon launches, balloon glows

A family-friendly favorite in Texas, this festival boasts a mass ascension of balloons each morning and a glowing spectacle at night. With a carnival, skydiving shows, and food trucks, it’s a fun-filled weekend for all ages.

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6. Adirondack Balloon Festival

📍 Glens Falls, NY

🗓 September 18-21, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Scenic views, special shape balloons, free admission

This free festival in the Adirondack Mountains is a must-see for balloon lovers. It features stunning fall foliage, unique special-shape balloons, and a serene natural setting that makes it one of the most picturesque events of the year.

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7. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

📍 Albuquerque, NM

🗓 October 4-12, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Largest balloon festival in the world, special shape rodeo, twilight balloon glows

The largest hot air balloon festival in the world, this event in Albuquerque is an iconic bucket-list experience. Watch hundreds of balloons ascend at sunrise, witness the famous Special Shape Rodeo, and enjoy the magical “Glowdeo” at night.

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8. Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival

📍 Temecula, CA

🗓 May 16-18, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Balloon rides, wine tastings, live music

This festival blends hot air ballooning with California’s finest wines. Enjoy morning balloon ascensions, gourmet food pairings, and live concerts in the heart of Temecula’s wine country.

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9. NJ Lottery Festival of Ballooning

📍 Readington, NJ

🗓 July 25-27, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Mass balloon launches, live concerts, fireworks

As the largest balloon festival on the East Coast, this event features morning and evening ascensions, musical performances, and a grand fireworks finale.

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10. Teton Valley Balloon Rally

📍 Driggs, ID

🗓 July 4-7, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Small-town charm, stunning mountain views, patriotic theme

Held over Independence Day weekend, this festival offers breathtaking views of the Teton Mountains and a patriotic celebration with balloon rides and parades.

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11. Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off

📍 Colorado Springs, CO

🗓 August 30 - September 1, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Mass ascensions, lake reflections, aerial entertainment

A Labor Day weekend tradition, this festival features morning balloon ascensions over Prospect Lake, skydiving shows, and aerial acrobatics.

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12. Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

📍 Bristol, UK (Bonus International Event!)

🗓 August 7-10, 2025

✨ What to Expect: European ballooning, mass ascensions, night glows

Although outside the U.S., this world-renowned event in England is worth mentioning for its incredible night glows and mass launches.

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13. Great Reno Balloon Race

📍 Reno, NV

🗓 September 5-7, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Dawn Patrol show, mass ascension, special-shape balloons

This free event is home to the famous Dawn Patrol, where balloons light up before sunrise, creating an ethereal scene.

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14. International Balloon Festival of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

📍 Quebec, Canada (Bonus International Event!)

🗓 August 9-17, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Largest balloon festival in Canada, night glows, music performances

Just over the U.S. border, this festival features colorful mass launches, live concerts, and fireworks.

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15. Balloon Fiesta Park Holiday Glow

📍 Albuquerque, NM

🗓 December 20-21, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Holiday-themed balloons, twinkling lights, winter balloon glow

Celebrate the holiday season with a Christmas-themed balloon glow at the famous Balloon Fiesta Park.

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16. Lake Havasu Balloon Festival & Fair

📍 Lake Havasu City, AZ

🗓 January 17-19, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Balloon rides, live entertainment, waterfront views

One of the earliest balloon events of the year, this festival is set against the beautiful Lake Havasu waterfront.

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17. New Mexico’s White Sands Balloon Invitational

📍 White Sands National Park, NM

🗓 September 27-28, 2025

✨ What to Expect: Balloons over white sand dunes, stunning desert landscapes

One of the most unique balloon festivals in the world, this event offers breathtaking views of balloons floating over the white gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park.

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No matter which festival you choose, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable experience filled with vivid colors, stunning scenery, and magical balloon glows.