Hot Air Balloon Festivals are a beautiful sight to see, full of color, excitement, and fun!
Watch hot air balloons inflate right in front of you, cheer along with the crowd as they rise, and eventually take off towards the sky. Soon the skies are filled with colorful shapes and sizes floating and dancing, gradually moving off into the distance.
On other nights, the balloons inflate in surrounding fields and slowly move over the horizon preparing to land right in front of the excited crowd. Occasionally, pilots compete in challenges such as dropping a flag within a boundary to see who can come closest to the target.
Do you know of a Hot Air Balloon Festival we missed or do you have one to add? Please contact us to let us know.
PLEASE NOTE: It is always a good idea to verify details before visiting.
Balloon Glows
Our favorite events are the Evening Balloons Glows.
On the count of One … Two … Three … GLOW!, the pilots create a beautiful landscape of colors glowing in the night sky. They mix it up with a flicker, alternating glows among balloons, or all of the balloons glow at the same time.
Many times, spectators are invited to walk amidst the balloons, asking the pilots and crew questions. My kids love also collecting cards from each balloon crew!
Midwest Hot Air Balloon Festivals 2025
Indianola National Balloon Classic
Memorial Balloon Field 1136 150th Avenue, Indianola, IAAbout 25 minutes south of Des Moines
9 day festival with 100+ hot air balloons filling the sky, including special shapes! Live music, buy a balloon ride, Dawn Patrol, Night Glow Extravaganza, food vendors, fireworks, and more.
Read more about this wonderful Hot Air Balloon Festival from Olio in Iowa.
Nearby, be sure to also visit the National Balloon Museum (The Walking Tourists).
Quad Cities Balloon Festival
Rhythm City Casino Resort 7077 Elmore Avenue, Davenport, IABalloon launch, balloon glow, tethered balloon rides, live music, bounce houses, car show and more.
Old West Balloon Fest
Mitchell Airfield 60653 Mitchell South Rd, Mitchell, NE50+ hot air balloons suspended in mid air, skilled pilots from around the world, roaring burners creating a whoosh that is both heard and felt. Kick off the 11th annual event with a Glow at Western Nebraska Community College on Thursday. Mass Ascensions, Craft Fair, Wiener Dog Races, Night Glows, and more!
Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival 2025
Ta-Ha-Zouka Park Elkhorn, NEBalloons launch Friday and Saturday Evening 7 PM. Gates open at 5:00 pm to give spectators an early glimpse at the hot air balloons as pilots assemble them for their flights.
Centralia Balloon Fest
Centralia Foundation Park 600 Pleasant Ave, Centralia, ILCentralia Balloon Fest is an annual hot air balloon event that takes place on the 3rd full weekend of August in Centralia, Illinois at Foundation Park, a 300-acre nature park. Hot air balloons, balloon glows, tethered balloon rides, car show, live music, FREE Family Fun Day with Kids Activities, and more.
50th Annual Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally
Mount Hope Balloon Field 4700 SW 17th St, Topeka, KSBalloon flights and balloon glow.
47th Annual Creston Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days
Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days Creston, IAAlmost 35 balloons participate in races over the weekend. In addition there is a parade with a marching band contest and balloonist and many more, also a doll show, arts & crafts fair, flea market, balloon night glow, food booths and more. Come for the day or the weekend.
Ravenna Balloon A-Fair
Ravenna Balloon A-Fair Ravenna, OHBalloon Lift Offs, Grand Parade, Children’s Parade, food and craft vendors, live music, children's alley, and motor alley and more!
Columbus Day Festival Hot Air Balloon Regatta
Columbus Kansas Columbus, KSScarecrow Contest, Hot Air Balloon Regatta, car & motorcycle show, 5K, art & quilt shows, balloon glow, kids activities and much more.
More Midwest Fun
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PAST EVENTS
Feb 7-9th 2025 – Hudson Hot Air Affair – Hudson, WI
- A fun winter event! Family-friendly events such as an evening parade, hot air balloon launches, geocaching, marketplace and craft fair, and hot air balloon moon glow. Read more about the Hudson Hot Air Affair from Exploration Vacation.
Aug 16-17th – Nebraska Balloon & Wine Festival – Ta Ha Zouka Park, Elkhorn, NE.
- Balloon launches, on-stage entertainment, helicopter rides, KidZone, Nebraska Food & Wine Festival, and more.
Aug 23-24th – Lincoln Balloon Festival – Lincoln, IL
- A relaxed gathering of hot air balloons. Balloon launch, Hare & Hound Target Competition, Balloon Glow, Live Music, BBQ Competition, Inflatables and More.
Aug 30-Sept 2nd – 48th Great Pershing Balloon Derby – Brookfield, MO
- Balloon competitions, vendors, parade, and more.
Sept 6-7th – Macomb Balloon Rally – Macomb, IL
- Balloons, family fun, balloon glow, and more.
Sept 20-21st – Great Forest Park Balloon Race – St. Louis, MO
- The oldest and most well-attended FREE hot air balloon event in the world.
Sept 27-28th – Indiana Balloon Fest – Bloomington, IN
- Balloons, pyrotechnic skydivers, fireworks, and more.
