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From New Mexico to New Jersey, make a romantic connection with the best balloon festivals in the United States
Cool Hot Air Balloons
There is something magical about watching hundreds of colorful balloons gently rise into the sky. Hot air balloons symbolize love, joy, luxury and wonder, and a hot air balloon ride is a bucket list item.
Float Like A Ghost At The Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival
If you’re interested in this magical form of transportation, hot air balloon festivals across the United States allow attendees to take an affordable ride, meet the pilots, and learn more about the intricacies of flying the fascinating inflatable balloons. . Be outdoors with beautiful scenery and family-friendly events with food, music, contests and excitement.
Whether you’re watching a candlelit morning, a visually dramatic sunrise, or just floating through inflatable artwork, you’ll find these hot air balloon festivals across the United States to be unforgettable.
Attracting over 900,000 visitors and over 600 pilots from seven countries over a nine-day period, this is the largest and longest running balloon festival in the country. Watching over 500 hot air and gas balloons in the shape of animals, characters and cultural symbols soar over the Sandia Mountains and New Mexico desert is a once-in-a-lifetime sight.
The ideal October climate, known as the ‘Albuquerque Box’, provides perfect weather conditions for balloon take-offs and landings, often from the same location. In October 2022, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
Painted Horizons Hot Air Balloon Tours (orlando)
With a breathtaking backdrop of the majestic Teton Mountains, the Teton Valley Balloon Rally (TVBR) in eastern Idaho is the perfect place to celebrate the 4th of July. Spectators may camp at the Driggs Balloon Field for the duration of the event. No need to drive early in the morning because you can walk from your campsite to the hot air balloon early in the morning. Then head back to the rally for a country-style pancake breakfast, watch an Oldtime Fiddlers contest, take in the parades and cap off the day with 4th of July fireworks.
Celebrate Labor Day weekend in Colorado, where you can see up to 70 balloons against panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. Visitors from all over the state come to enjoy the festivities, which include live entertainment, USAFA Wings of Blue skydivers, aerial acrobats, model balloon displays and chainsaw carving and donut eating contests.
Since Colorado Springs is a popular outdoor adventure destination, the event also offers opportunities to join in for hiking, biking, and other activities.
The world’s largest free hot air balloon event takes place over four days in early September in the skies over Reno, Northern Nevada, attracting over 140,000 people each year. Similar to other balloon festivals around the country, you can view the hot air balloons on a cool morning during the Morning Patrol and sign up for a hot air balloon ride. But awesome contests like the Balloon Blackjack Aerial Games, the E.L Cord Hot Paper Balloon Drop and the World’s Largest Pajama Party (which encourages you to show off your best ‘bedhead’) make Reno a fun and unique experience.
Plan Your Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Plano
North America’s largest summer balloon and music festival is a spectacular sight to see Grammy Award-winning artists against a backdrop of balloons in every color of the rainbow.
At Solberg Airport’s 744-acre area, twice daily, families can view 100 sport-colored, specially-shaped hot-air balloons, New Jersey Lottery Days of Sunshine, unicorns, giant sloths and a panda bear 110 meters long. But the biggest draw of the festival is the live concert line-up, which has featured popular bands like the Barenaked Ladies, the Jonas Brothers and KC and the Sunshine Band, who have played in previous years.
Bird’s eye view of the Red Hills and Valleys in Gallup. Every December, Gallup hosts the Red Rock Balloon Rally, which features over 200 colorful balloons as the sun rises over the beautiful red sandstone canyons and towering towers.
In addition to the balloon, the rally is a cultural event where you can enjoy authentic New Mexican food, watch Native American dances, and shop for handmade Native art and jewelry. Head to Gallup for a Christmas parade and other festivities. The best part is that admission to all events is free.
Springtime In Florida Is Dreamy For Hot Air Ballooning
New England’s longest running balloon festival is held every June in Quechee Green, Vermont. Up to 20 hot air balloons will soar above the Quiche and Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire, while crafts, live music and children’s entertainment make up the festival grounds. If you’re afraid of heights, you can experience what it’s like to be in a hot air balloon by taking a 50-meter tethered ride for just $20.
This is the state’s largest and oldest balloon rally held every Memorial Day weekend. Here you can view over 60 creatively designed balloons from around the country, some as tall as Asvern’s stories. Along with the competitive balloon races, the event also features antique cars, tractors and antique motorbikes. Located on the Tennessee River, the northern Alabama city of Decatur is within a day’s drive of nearly half the nation’s population.
Imagine yourself drinking California wine in a red balloon shaped like a strawberry, watching the sun rise over a vineyard. A romantic three-day holiday combines hot air ballooning with California’s best food and wine.
Set in a picturesque mountain oasis surrounded by vineyards, Southern California’s Lake Skinner Recreation Area is ideally located for a summer vacation. While at the festival, you can enjoy wine from over 20 California wineries, local craft beers, food and wine pairings and delicious international cuisine from over 100 vendors. Even those who don’t drink alcohol or don’t fly can enjoy the wine barrel races and live shows on the wine stage.
Hot Air Ballooning In Illinois
The Arizona Balloon Classic is held every January at Goodyear Ballpark, located on the outskirts of Phoenix. Festivities include a ‘rabbit and hound’ breakfast race, laser light show, fireworks and an all-day family fun zone. Recently added, the Desert Winds Kite Festival showcases the best kite models, display kites, candy balls, paper rocket making and launching, and land parachute competitions. The Festival of Balloons always has a community connection, donating a portion of the tickets and drinks to a local nonprofit.
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Of The World’s Most Beautiful Locations For Hot Air Ballooning
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Every year since the gathering of the first 13 balloons in 1972, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiestain New Mexico has brought together hot air balloonists and enthusiasts from across the country and around the world for the premier hot air balloon event of the year.
With the Sandia Mountains as a backdrop, more than 500,000 visitors flock to Albuquerque to fly, launch and ride over 550 balloons, featuring 90 special formations from more than 18 countries for one of the most photographed events.
Hot air balloons can stay in the air for one to three hours, depending on the outside temperature and the weight being carried.
Hot Air Balloon
Launches run all day from dawn to dusk, the perfect time to hit the skies.
Spectators gather around as a balloon lighter is lit. It takes about 15 minutes to fill and release a hot air balloon. MARTHA ASENCIO RHINE | Times The sun rises over the airport as balloons prepare for flight at the Florida Up Up and Away Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland in February. [Martha Asensio Raine | times]
LAKELAND – Spring in Florida is known for beaches, festivals and spring training games. Balloon enthusiasts will want to add balloon festivals to that list as the mild weather makes it the perfect time to take off.
“We’re very blessed to have great weather in Florida,” said Seffner-based Kurt Peterson, pilot of a balloon called Black Diamond. “We’ve had more good flying days than bad times this year.”
Why Do Hot Air Balloons Fly In The Early Morning And Late Evening?
A balloonist like Peterson can take you up and out on a private ride.
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