Hot Air Balloon Festivals In Texas

Up Up & Away – Check out these Texas Hot Air Balloon Festivals – 2023.

Incredible hot air balloons are preparing for the flight across Texas skies this fall with beautiful colored balloons, and nightly balloon glows. Let’s delve into where all the hot air balloon festivals in Texas are.

Do you know who holds the 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 – which 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.

These outdoor events offer great food, live music, entertainment, special kid’s activities, full balloon rides, tethered balloon rides, and more!

NEXT READ: Texas Wine Festivals And Events

 

Family-Friendly Hot Air Balloon Festivals In Texas

Some events were hard to find on the internet, so don’t look – rather, read what Texas Travel Talk found. All eleven are in all parts of Texas – North Texas, Central Texas, South Texas, and East Texas. And they are all family-friendly.

2023 Balloon Festivals In Texas

Bring the entire family out for a day or evening of fun and fair. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate because much depends on good weather to fly those balloons.

April Balloon Festivals In Texas

• The Balloon Festival – Horseshoe Bay Resort

April 7-9, 2023 

Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay (Marble Falls)

Balloon Festival in Texas Hill Country – 9th annual Balloons Over Horseshoe Bay

 

June Balloon Festivals In Texas

• The Great Texas Balloon Race – Longview

June 12-18, 2023

The Great Texas Balloon Race is an annual world-class event where the best competitive pilots come together and race their hot air balloons every summer in the City of Longview, Texas. This longest-running hot-air balloon event in Texas is usually held at the East Texas Regional Airport.

According to several pilots, the Great Texas Balloon Race is the best-run event in Texas. Check out this fabulous event and glow run in Longview!

 

July Balloon Festivals In Texas

• Terrell FreedomFest

July 2023 (TBA)

The July 4th Hot Air Balloon Flights in Terrell, TX, FreedomFEST features nightly balloon glows, hot air balloon rides, and many family activities. I honestly thought most festivals were in the fall.

• Canton Texas Balloon Fest

July 7-8, 2023

Canton Balloon Fest is held on the First Monday grounds. 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.

Tickets: $20-$75

 

September

• Victory Cup Balloon Bash – Fredericksburg

Saturday, September 2, 2023 (Labor Day Weekend)

The heart of the Texas Hill Country – none other than Fredericksburg has many of us wanting to know why this particular area is so great. Though I love the hill country and all the small towns that make up the scenery, Fredericksburg still holds reigns over all others.

On Labor Day, Fredericksburg Balloon Festival, aka Victory Cup Balloon Bash (this event is called two different names), will fill its skies with hot air balloons, and visitors will come everywhere to see it.

What to expect: Tethered balloon rides, VIP tickets, kid-friendly and pet-friendly, live music, food, vendors

Tickets: $20-$110; Parking $10

• Kyle Pie In The Sky Day Celebration

aka  Kyle Hot Air Balloon Festival

September

The Annual Kyle Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held at Lake Kyle on Saturday, September _________-, from 12 to 8 pm at Gregg-Clarke Park (new location).

What to expect: Tethered hot air balloon rides, market vendors

Tickets: FREE

• Paris Balloon & Music Festival (East Texas)

September 8-9, 2023

September 9-10, early morning balloon flights.

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 kid’s zone, food trucks, and more fun!

Tickets: I believe it’s free

• Plano Balloon Festival & Run

September 21-24, 2023

Once again, Central Market Plano Balloon Festival & Run is again covering Texas skies with its beautiful colorful hot air balloons.

Plano kicks off its annual Plano Balloon Festival, starting at 5 pm, and continues its festivities for four incredible days ending with its balloon festival races. All at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve

FYI: I don’t see that it’s official, but The City of Plano is the Balloon Capital of Texas.

What to expect: Half marathon race, 5k run/walk, tethered rides, kids rides, and much more.

Ticket price: $5-$10; VIP Tickets $150 – purchase all tickets online

Parking: $10-$15

Related: Fun-Packed Weekend In Plano, TX

 

October

• Re/Max Skylight Balloon Fest (San Antonio)

The 5th Annual Skylight Balloon Fest will be October __________, at the River City Community Church Grounds in Selma, TX.

Friday night – the Austin band, The Spazmatics, will be performing.

What to expect: Market Days, food trucks, attractions, live concerts, family fun activities, and more!

Tickets: $5-$10

 

November 

• Fredericksburg Hot Air Balloon Festival & Polo Match

November 

The heart of the Texas Hill Country (Fredericksburg) from 12 – 6 pm, is located at Bankersmith Texas Dance Hall at 7905 Old San Antonio Road.

Fredericksburg Polo Club Hot Air Balloon Festival & Polo Match

What to expect: Polo, of course, wine, food vendors, hot air balloon rides, kids activities,

Tickets: $10-115 plus online fees

 

December 

• Fredericksburg New Year’s Eve Hot Air Balloon Event

December 31, 2024, ring in the New Year at Bankersmith Dance Hall from 6 pm to Midnight.

Festival Highlights: Helicopter rides, tethered balloon rides, live music, drink vendors, tasting room, camping opportunity,

Tickets: $10-$135; Parking – $10 online or $20 at the gate

Fredericksburg New Year’s Eve Weekend Hot Air Balloon Event is a weekend event. It’s sure to be a fun time. Be sure to buy tickets online for a better deal.

 

February Balloon Festivals For 2024

• Chocolate, Wine & Hot Air Balloon Festival – Fredricksburg

February 

The location is Grapetown Vineyard & Farm, and pre-paid parking will be required.

Tickets: $22+ and are available online here.

 

Fun Fact: The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is a world-renowned hot air balloon festival that happens every fall and is the largest hot air balloon event.

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