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 2024
June 14-15 – Falls City Hot Air Balloon Launch – Falls City, NE
- Balloon lift off & Glow both days, life music, Kid’s Activities, Mega Kite Show, Fireworks, and more!
June 21-23rd – Great Galena Balloon Race – Galena, IL
- Hot air balloon races, live music, night glow, inflatables for the kids, Classic Car Show, and more.
June 27-29th – Ashland Ohio Balloonfest – Ashland, OH
- The Ashland BalloonFest will have another fabulous weekend in 2024. Hot air balloons, food & merchant vendors, live entertainment, activities for kids, spectacular balloon glows and much more.
June 28-30th – 39th Annual Michigan Challenge Balloonfest – Howell, MI
- the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest is a celebration of hot air balloons. But wait, there’s more! The event features entertainment, fireworks, family activities and attractions. The Saturday night balloon glow is a must-see attraction at the Michigan Challenge. About 20 hot-air balloons will inflate on the launch field and glow their envelopes against the beautiful summer night sky.
July 3-7th – Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival – Battle Creek, MI
- Air show, night air show, balloons, Field of Rock Bands, Balloon Illume, fireworks, Skerbeck Carnival, vendors, and family fun for everyone.
July 26 – Aug 3rd – National Balloon Classic – Indianola, IA
About 25 minutes south of Des Moines
- 9-day festival at the end of July 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 The Walking Tourists and Olio in Iowa.
- Nearby, be sure to also visit the National Balloon Museum (The Walking Tourists).
Aug 7-10th – Nationals & Old West Balloon Fest 10th Anniversary – Gering, NE
- Hot air balloon launches, opening night and a closing night balloon glow, craft fair, cornhole tournament, and more.
Aug 9-10th – Quad Cities Balloon Festival – East Moline, IL
- Balloon launch, balloon glow, and more.
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 16-18th – Centralia Balloon Fest – Centralia, IL
- Hot air balloons, balloon glows, live music, Family Fun Day with Kids Activities, and fireworks.
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 6-8th – 49th Huff ‘n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally – Topeka, KS
- FREE Balloon flights and balloon glow.
Sept 19-22nd – 45th Annual Ravenna Balloon A-Fair – Ravenna, OH
- Balloon Lift Off, parades, fireworks, live music and more.
Sept 20-22nd – Creston / SW Iowa 45th Annual Hot Air Balloon Days – Creston, IA
- Almost 40 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.
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.
Oct 11-13th – Columbus Day Festival Hot Air Balloon Regatta – Columbus, KS
- Scarecrow Contest, Hot Air Balloon Regatta, car & motorcycle show, 5K, art & quilt shows, balloon glow, and much more.
Midwest Hot Air Balloon Festivals 2025
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.
More Midwest Fun
Events we hope return in 2024…
Fields of Flight – Ditmar’s Orchard – Council Bluffs, IA
2024 TBA – Watch hot air balloons from around the Midwest land and/or take off right in front of you in the picturesque beauty of Ditmar’s Orchard. Plus, enjoy live music. Always a favorite fall event.
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