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
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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.
