Hot air balloon festivals are held annually in many places throughout the year, allowing hot air balloons operators to gather- as well as for the general public- to participate in various activities. They can include races; evening "night glows", or "glowdeos" (in the US), in which balloons are fired while remaining tethered to the ground; and rides.
| Festival | City | Country | Year started | Year ended | When held | Official website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1973 | Mid to late September | http://www.adirondackballoonfest.org/ | ||||
| United States | 1977 | http://www.alabamajubilee.net | |||||
| United States | 1972 | First full week in October including both adjacent weekends | http://www.balloonfiesta.com/ | ||||
| All Ohio Balloon Festival | Marysville, Ohio | United States | 1975 | Second or third weekend of August | https://allohioballoonfest.com/ | ||
| Araku Balloon Festival | Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh | India | 2017 | http://www.arakuballoonfestival.com/ | |||
| Arizona's SalsaFest Balloon Festival | Safford, Arizona | United States | 2008 | https://web.archive.org/web/20080925101851/http://www.salsatrail.com/BalloonFestival.html | |||
| Ashland Ballonfest | Ashland, Ohio | United States | 1990 | http://www.ashlandohioballoonfest.com/ | |||
| Atlantic Balloon Fiesta | Sussex, New Brunswick | Canada | 1985 | http://atlanticballoonfiesta.ca/ | |||
| Balaton Crossing International Hot Air Balloon Competition and Fiesta | Siófok | Hungary | 2004 | May | https://web.archive.org/web/20100819040453/http://www.ballonfieszta.hu/en/ | ||
| Ballonfiësta Barneveld | Barneveld | Netherlands | 1983 | http://ballonfiestabarneveld.nl (Dutch) | |||
| Ballonhappening Waregem | Waregem | Belgium | 1999 | http://www.ballonhappening.be/index_english.html | |||
| Balloons, Bikes, Blues and Barbeque | United States | 2009 | 2016 | Third Weekend in October | [1] | ||
| Balloons over Waikato | New Zealand | 1999 | http://www.balloonsoverwaikato.co.nz/ | ||||
| Balloons over Wairarapa | New Zealand | 1999 | http://www.nzballoons.co.nz/ | ||||
| Blossom Time Balloon Festival | United States | 1988 | https://web.archive.org/web/20110927075209/http://www.chagrinballoonfest.com/ | ||||
| United States | 1999 | http://www.bluegrassballoons.com/ | |||||
| Bluff Balloon Festival | United States | 1998 | https://web.archive.org/web/20080617082520/http://www.bluffutah.org/balloon.htm | ||||
| Breda Balloon Fiësta | Netherlands | 1986 | http://www.bredaballonfiesta.nl/ | ||||
| United Kingdom | 1979 | https://web.archive.org/web/19980111101526/http://bristolfiesta.co.uk/ | |||||
| Canberra Balloon Spectacular | Australia | 1987 | http://balloonspectacular.com.au/ | ||||
| Cedar City Sky Festival | United States | 2005 | 3rd weekend in September | https://web.archive.org/web/20110813080222/http://cedarcityskyfest.com/index.php | |||
| BalloonFest | United States | 1990 | 3rd weekend in August | http://www.balloon-fest.com | |||
| United States | 1977 | Labor Day weekend in September | https://web.archive.org/web/20130507112629/http://www.balloonclassic.com/ | ||||
| Colorado River Crossing Balloon Festival | United States | 1990 | http://www.caballeros.org/balloon_main.htm | ||||
| Creston Hot Air Balloon Days | United States | 1978 | 3rd weekend in September | ||||
| Delta Air Balloon Festival | United States | — | https://web.archive.org/web/20110202173611/http://deltaballoonfestival.com/ | ||||
| Dolomiti Balloonfestival | Italy | 2003 | https://web.archive.org/web/20110722024418/http://www.balloonfestival.it/en/index.htm | ||||
| Spain | 1997 | First fortnight of July | https://web.archive.org/web/20100326161244/http://www.ebf.cat/en/ | ||||
| European Hot Air Balloon Championships | Varies | Europe | 1992 | https://web.archive.org/web/20100204140322/http://events.fai.org/calendar?id=20 | |||
| Exclusive Cup | United Kingdom | 2008 | http://www.exclusivecup.com | ||||
| Eyes to the Skies Festival | United States | 1981 | 2008 | https://web.archive.org/web/20050901071252/http://www.eyestotheskiesfestival.com/ | |||
| Eyes to the Sky Balloon Festival | United States | 2007 | Third weekend in June | http://www.eyestotheskyballoon.com | |||
| Ferrara Balloons Festival | Italy | 2005 | http://www.ferrarafestival.it/ (Italian) | ||||
| Brazil | 1989 | Late April | http://www.torres.rs.gov.br/balonismo/ (Portuguese) | ||||
| Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival | United States | 1980 | http://bcballoons.com/ | ||||
| Freedom Weekend Aloft | United States | 1982 | https://web.archive.org/web/20070821140734/http://www.freedomweekend.org/ | ||||
| Canada | 1988 | Labor Day Weekend | http://www.montgolfieresgatineau.com/ | ||||
| Gordon Bennett Cup gas balloon race | Varies | Varies | 1906 | Hosted by country of the race winner two years prior. | https://web.archive.org/web/20101009101601/http://www.coupegordonbennett.org/ | ||
| United States | 1992 | http://www.greatfallsballoonfestival.org | |||||
| United States | 1973 | http://www.greatforestparkballoonrace.com/ | |||||
| Great Midwest Balloon Fest | United States | 2010 | 2015 | Held in Kansas City, Missouri in 2016 as Rhythm 'n Balloons before shutting down. No flights occurred. | |||
| Great Northern Balloon Festival & Air Show | United States | 1998 | 2003 | [2] | |||
| United States | 1977 | https://web.archive.org/web/20100301023800/http://www.brookfieldmochamber.com/balloons.htm | |||||
| United States | 1981 | http://www.renoballoon.com/ | |||||
| United States | 1977 | http://www.greattexasballoonrace.com/ | |||||
| Great Wellsville Balloon Rally | United States | 1975 | http://wellsvilleballoonrally.com/ | ||||
| Guanajuato International Air Balloon Festival | Mexico | 2002 | In November, the weekend of the Mexican revolution holiday. It is also the Buen Fin. | https://web.archive.org/web/20100306051352/http://www.festivaldelglobo.com.mx/english/ | |||
| Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair | United States | 2011 | The third weekend in January | http://www.havasuballoonfest.com/ | |||
| - | Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race | United States | 1974 | http://www.helenballoon.com/ | |||
| High Hopes Hot Air Balloon Festival | United States | 1986 | 2006 | https://www.highhopesballoon.com/ | |||
| Hokkaido Balloon Festival | Japan | 1973 | https://www.kamishihoro.jp/sp/balloonfestival/ | ||||
| Hot Air Jubilee | United States | 1984 | http://www.hotairjubilee.com/ | ||||
| United States | 1976 | Second weekend of September | http://www.huff-n-puff.org | ||||
| Switzerland | 1979 | http://www.festivaldeballons.ch | |||||
| International Hot-Air Balloon Festival in Gilboa | Israel | 2009 | August | http://www.gobalon.co.il/%D7%9B%D7%93%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%97%D7%99%D7%9D_%D7%91%D7%92%D7%9C%D7%91%D7%95%D7%A2 (Hebrew) | |||
| Canada | 1984 | http://www.ballooncanada.com/ | |||||
| International Balloon Grand Prix Todi | Italy | 1988 | |||||
| Irish National Hot Air Ballooning Championship | Varies | Ireland | 1971 | Referred to as 'The Irish Meet' the Irish Championship is the longest running ballooning event in the world. | http://www.irishballoonchampionships.com/ | ||
| Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival | Fishers, Indiana | United States | 2021 | Early September. | https://www.connerprairie.org/conner-prairie-balloon-festival/ | ||
| Kinsmen Cornwall Lift Off | Cornwall, Ontario | Canada | 1994 | 2014 | http://www.lift-off.ca | ||
| Kiwanis Balloonfest | Valparaiso, Indiana | United States | 1991 | http://www.valpokiwanis.org/ | |||
| Lakeside of the Smokies Balloonfest | White Pine, Tennessee | United States | 2019 | https://lotsballoonfest.com/ | |||
| London International Hot Air Balloon Festival | London, Ontario | Canada | 1983 | 2007 | https://web.archive.org/web/20070818080130/http://www.londonballoonfestival.com/ | ||
| Grand Est Mondial Air Balloon | Chambley-Bussières Air Base, Lorraine | France | 1989 | 2023 | End of July. Once every 2 years. | http://www.pilatre-de-rozier.com | |
| Macomb Balloon Rally | United States | 1987 | Second Weekend of September | http://www.macombballoonrally.com/ | |||
| Mansfield Balloon Festival | Australia | 1995 | |||||
| Meetjeslandse Balloonmeeting | Belgium | 1986 | http://www.meetjeslandseballoonmeeting.be/ | ||||
| Metro NY Balloon & Music Festival | United States | 2007 | 2008 | http://www.metronyballoonfest.com/ | |||
| United States | 1985 | http://michiganchallenge.com/ | |||||
| Mid-Hudson Valley Balloon Festival | United States | 1992 | |||||
| Midwest SkyFest | United States | 2010 | July | http://www.midwestskyfest.com | |||
| Montpelier Bean Days Balloon Festival | United States | 2014 | July | https://www.facebook.com/pages/2014-Montpelier-Bean-Days-Balloon-Festival/765042216839756 | |||
| United States | 1969 | First week of August | http://www.nationalballoonclassic.com | ||||
| National Balloon Rally (Carolina BalloonFest) | United States | 1974 | Third weekend in October | http://www.carolinaballoonfest.com/ | |||
| New York State Festival of Balloons | United States | 1981 | http://www.nysfob.com/ | ||||
| United Kingdom | 1990 | http://www.thenorthamptonballoonfestival.co.uk/ | |||||
| United States | 2000 | http://nwartandair.org/ | |||||
| Northwest Connecticut Balloon Festival | United States | 1995 | 2004 | http://www.mainstreetnow.com/ | |||
| Northwest Georgia Hot-Air Balloon Festival | United States | 2008 | http://nwgeorgiaballoonfestival.homestead.com/GeorgiaBalloon.html http://www.freewebs.com/menlorecreationdept/nwgaballoonfestival.htm | ||||
| Piscataquis Heritage Hot Air Balloon Festival | United States | 2013 | https://web.archive.org/web/20140502015944/http://phhabf.com/ | ||||
| Ojiya Hot Air Balloon Festival | Japan | 1977 | February | https://www.city.ojiya.niigata.jp/site/kanko/ojiya-fusenikki.html(Japanese) | |||
| Pellissippi State Hot Air Balloon Festival | United States | 2004 | 2010 | http://www.pstcc.edu/balloons | |||
| Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta | George Town, Penang | Malaysia | 2015 | February | http://www.penanghotairballoonfiesta.com/index.php | ||
| Pennington Balloon Championship | United States | 1980s | http://www.laballooning.com/index.html | ||||
| Philippines | 1994 | 2nd week of February | http://www.philballoonfest.net/ | ||||
| United States | July 1–4, 2022 | https://phillyballoonfest.com/ | |||||
| United States | 1980 | http://www.planoballoonfest.org/ | |||||
| Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta | Malaysia | 2009 | http://www.myballoonfiesta.com/ | ||||
| Qatar Balloon Festival | Qatar | 2019 | http://www.qatarballoonfestival.com/ | ||||
| United States | 1983 | Third week of July | http://www.balloonfestival.com/ | ||||
| Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival | United States | 1979 | Father's Day Weekend | http://www.quecheeballoonfestival.com/ | |||
| Raduno Internazionale dell'Epifania | Italy | 1988 | First week of January | http://www.aeroclubmondovi.it/ (Italian) | |||
| Ravenna Balloon A-Fair | United States | 1979 | http://ravennaballoonafair.com/ | ||||
| RE/MAX Ballunar Liftoff Festival | United States | 1993 | http://www.ballunarfestival.com/ | ||||
| Japan | 1980 | https://www.sibf.jp/en/ | |||||
| Sandy City Balloon Festival | United States | 2006 | First weekend in August | https://web.archive.org/web/20150905115801/http://sandy.utah.gov/government/community-events/balloon-festival.html | |||
| Sandy Valley Balloon Festival | United States | 1999 | http://sandyvalley.us/ | ||||
| Germany | 1995 | 2015 | http://www.balloonfiesta.de/ | ||||
| Sierra Vista Festival of Color | United States | 1989 | http://www.festivalofcolor.org | ||||
| Singha Park Chiangrai Balloon Fiesta | Thailand | 2019 | November | http://www.balloonadventurethailand.com/event/ | |||
| Singha Park ChiangRai International Balloon Fiesta | Thailand | 2019 | Valentine in February | http://www.balloonadventurethailand.com/event/ | |||
| Sky Safari | United Kingdom | 2016 | https://www.longleat.co.uk/whats-on/the-sky-safari | ||||
| Strathaven Balloon Festival | United Kingdom | 1999 | http://www.strathavenballoonfestival.co.uk | ||||
| Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally | United States | 1985 | http://www.spiediefest.com/ | ||||
| United States | 1991 | http://www.spiritofboise.com/ | |||||
| St. Patty's Day Balloon Rallye | United States | 1984 | http://www.vfrsballooning.org/ | ||||
| Suncook Valley Balloon Rally | United States | 1981 | First weekend in August | http://www.nhballoonrally.org/ | |||
| Sunflower Balloon Fest | United States | 1998 | Mother's Day Weekend (2nd Weekend in May) | http://www.sunflowerballoonfest.com | |||
| Sweetheart Balloon Rally | United States | 2007 | Last weekend in August | https://web.archive.org/web/20110219000906/http://www.engagingloveland.org/events/sweetheart-balloon-rally | |||
| Taiwan Balloon Festival | Taiwan | 2011 | Summer | http://tsn.taitung.gov.tw/balloontaiwan/ (Chinese) | |||
| Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival | Pollachi, Tamil Nadu | India | 2015 | Jan 13-16 Pongal Holidays | https://tnibf.com | ||
| Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival | Temecula, California | United States | 1984 | http://www.tvbwf.com/ | |||
| Thailand International Balloon Festival | Ayutthaya | Thailand | 2007 | http://www.thailandballoonfestival.com/main | |||
| Tigard Festival of Balloons | Tigard, Oregon | United States | 1984 | June | http://www.tigardballoons.org | ||
| The Great Mississippi River Balloon Race | Natchez, Mississippi | United States | 1986 | http://www.natchezballoonrace.com | |||
| The Great Prosser Balloon Rally | Prosser, Washington | United States | 1990 | http://www.prosserballoonrally.org/ | |||
| Thunderbird Balloon Classic | Glendale, Arizona | United States | 1975 | 2006 | http://phoenix.about.com/od/events/a/balloonclassic.htm | ||
| Thurston Classic | Meadville, Pennsylvania | United States | 1988 | http://www.thurstonclassic.com | |||
| Tiverton Balloon Festival | Tiverton, Devon | United Kingdom | 1988 | http://www.tivertonballoonfestival.co.uk | |||
| University Motors Mountaineer Balloon Festival | Morgantown, West Virginia | United States | 1985 | http://www.ummbf.com/ | |||
| U.S. National Hot Air Balloon Championship | Varies | United States | 1963 | http://www.bfa.net/ | |||
| Velikie Luki International Balloon Meet | Velikiye Luki | Russia | 1996 | June | https://web.archive.org/web/20110812052517/http://balloon-cup.ru/2010/index_en.php | ||
| Vredefeesten | Sint-Niklaas | Belgium | 1948 | First Weekend of September | http://www.vredefeesten.be/ (Dutch) | ||
| Warren County Farmers' Fair Balloon Festival | New Jersey | United States | 2000 | http://www.balloonfestnj.com | |||
| Warsteiner Internationale Montgolfiade | Warstein | Germany | 1986 | https://web.archive.org/web/20130831224839/http://www.warsteiner-montgolfiade.com/ (German) | |||
| World Hot Air Balloon Championship | Varies | Varies | 1973 | https://web.archive.org/web/20100204140322/http://events.fai.org/calendar?id=20 | |||
| Festival Internacional de Balões de Ar Quente (FIBAQ) | Alto Alentejo | Portugal | 1997 | first week of November | http://publibalao.com/fibaq-2/o-que-e-o-fibaq/ | ||
| Oklahoma Festival of Ballooning | Muskogee, Oklahoma | United States | Last weekend in August | https://www.muskogeeparks.org/events___festivals/oklahoma_festival_of_ballooning.php/ | |||
| Poteau Balloon Fest | Poteau, Oklahoma | United States | 3rd weekend in October | https://www.poteauchamber.com/Events/Annual-Events/Poteau-Balloon-Fest/ | |||
| Firelake Fireflight Balloon Festival | Shawnee, Oklahoma | United States | Second weekend in August | https://www.firelakeballoonfest.com/event-schedule/ | |||
| Walla Walla Balloon Stampede | Walla Walla, Washington | United States | 1974 | Third weekend in September | https://seattleballooning.com/walla-walla-balloon-stampede/ | ||
| Wintrop Balloon Stampede | United States | 1980 | First weekend in March | https://seattleballooning.com/winthrop-balloon-festival/ |