Up Up & Away – Check out these Texas Hot Air Balloon Festivals in 2026.
Incredible hot air balloons are preparing for flights across Texas skies year-round, featuring beautifully colored balloons and nightly balloon glows. Let’s explore the locations of all the hot air balloon festivals in Texas.
Do you know who holds the title of Official Balloon Capital of Texas? Keep scrolling to find out.
With weather permitting, balloon festivals are family-friendly and, to my amazement, happen all through the year, not just in the fall, as I thought. There have already been a few hot air balloon festivals this summer, but you’ll have to mark your calendars for those for next year. Additionally, there may be a hot air balloon festival near you if it’s not listed here.
These outdoor events offer great food, live music, entertainment, special kids’ activities, full balloon rides, tethered balloon rides, and more!
Family-Friendly Hot Air Balloon Rides in Texas
Some events were hard to find on the internet, so don’t look – instead, read what Texas Travel Talk found. All eleven are located throughout Texas, including North Texas, Central Texas, South Texas, and East Texas. And they are all family-friendly.
Some festivals offer rides, while others only have tethered rides. Be sure to research each one thoroughly.
A List of Hot Air Balloon Festivals In Texas
Bring the entire family out for a day or evening of fun. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate, as flying those balloons depends on it.
This list includes Texas hot air balloon festivals, but there are other top hot air balloon festivals in the United States and Canada that you may want to know about.
March Balloon Festivals In Texas
• The Balloon Festival – Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay Resort
March
Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay (Marble Falls)
Balloon Festival in the Texas Hill Country – Annual Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay.
Fun Fact: The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a world-renowned hot-air balloon festival held every fall and is the largest hot-air balloon event in the world.
May Balloon Festivals In Texas
• Fredericksburg Balloon & Kentucky Derby Festival
May
Best of Texas presents Fredericksburg Balloon & Kentucky Derby Festival
Tickets From $10 to $225
June Balloon Festivals In Texas
• Hopkins County Dairy Festival
Early June
Hot Air Balloon Events are scheduled for Friday night and Saturday at the Hopkins County Dairy Festival.
• The Great Texas Balloon Race – Longview
June
The Great Texas Balloon Race is an annual world-class event where top competitive pilots compete and race their hot air balloons every summer in Longview, Texas. This is the longest-running hot air balloon event in Texas and is typically held at the East Texas Regional Airport.
Longview, Texas Hot Air Balloon Festival – Tickets are $20 to $40.
Several pilots say the Great Texas Balloon Race is the best-run event in Texas and the Balloon Race Capital of Texas. Check out this fabulous event and glow run in Longview! These balloon pilots have years of ballooning – and no, it’s not like a pilot who flies planes – totally different!
July Balloon Festivals in Texas
• Canton Balloon Fest
Early July
Canton Balloon Fest is held on the First Monday grounds on the west side. Activities include bounce houses, car shows, and Friday night’s 5K glow run. The festival will highlight East Texas Music with non-stop music all weekend. Be sure to check out the car show details as well.
Featuring Country Singer –
Tickets: $10 per car, $20 per van, $50 for buses
September 2026 Balloon Festivals In Texas
• Kyle Pie In The Sky Day Celebration – Discontinued
• Paris Balloon & Music Festival
Paris, TX (East Texas)
September
The Annual Paris Balloon & Music Festival will be held at the Lamar County Fairgrounds evening festival.
What to expect: Hot Air Balloons, live music, market vendors, a kids’ zone, food trucks, night glows, and more fun!
Tickets: I believe it’s free
• Plano Balloon Festival
September
The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival is held from Thursday, September 18th, through Sunday, September 21st, at the Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve Special Events Field. From morning balloon launches and nighttime balloon glows to parachute skydiver exhibitions and tethered balloon rides, this is truly a must-see event
Plano kicks off its annual Plano Balloon Festival and continues the festivities for four incredible days, culminating in balloon festival races. All at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve
What to expect: Half-marathon race, 5k run/walk, tethered rides, kids’ rides, various food options, and much more.
Ticket price: $5-$10; VIP – purchase all tickets online
Parking: $10-$15
• Re/Max Skylight Balloon Fest
Selma, TX (San Antonio Area)
September
The 7th Annual Skylight Balloon Fest will be at the River City Community Church Grounds in Selma, TX.
What to expect: Market Days, food trucks, attractions, live concerts, family fun activities, and more! No Pets or alcohol.
See website for tickets.
You may also be interested in Texas Wine Festivals and Events
PIN IT!
The Hot Air Balloon “Race” Capitol of Texas is the Great Texas Balloon Race, having originated in 1978 and for the years of 2023-2025 will be hosting the United States National Championships! (the best in the United States!) It will be at the Longview Convention Center and Fair Grounds. Photography Magazine lists it as the place to be for excellent photography and excitement.
Great, thank you. This event is noted in the article. It’s going to be a fabulous event for al!
see above
I didn’t know they offered hot air balloon rides! That’s something that’s been on my bucket list for years! Now that I know I can do it here just a few hours from home, I’ve added it to next year’s plan.
Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome. I’ve done it now twice – both in New Mexico. Some festivals do offer rides while some will only offer tethered rides – which means the balloon will only go up so high and then come right back down. It’s not as fun as a full on hot air balloon ride. I recommend it to everyone!
Is there a hot air balloon festival in December?
If it’s not on this list, I highly doubt it. If I see one, I’ll post it here.