Colorado Springs will be looking to the sky as a beloved Labor Day weekend festival returns this weekend. 

The Labor Day Lift Off is back this Saturday, with dozens of hot air balloons set to float over Colorado Springs. The free annual festival will run from early Saturday morning through Monday morning at Memorial Park.

Here’s what to know before you go:

When and where

The Lift Off will take place at Memorial Park, located at 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., on early Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings. 

Morning Lift Off Schedule – Saturday, Sunday and Monday

5 a.m.: Park and concessions open

5:45 a.m.: Drone Show

6:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony

7 a.m.: Balloon Lift Off

Evening Balloon Glow Schedule – Saturday and Sunday only

3:30 p.m.: Park and concession open

6-7 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m.: Concert series – Hat Trick and Cody Cozz on Sat., Bobbi Kerr and Sofakillers on Sun.

7 p.m.: Balloon Glow

9:30 p.m.: Drone show

Click here to see the full morning and evening schedules.

Parking and Road Closures

Parking passes

The morning and evening events will have more than a dozen parking lots available for parking starting at $5 to $20 per spot and can be purchased online. The price of each lot will increase by $5 on the day of the event.

Handicap parking is free but limited to a first come first serve basis, according to the Labor Day Lift Off website. 

To see the parking map or to purchase parking passes, click here. 

Bus passes – NEW

The Labor Day Lift Off is offering a new bus pass for $300 per session that features a reserved drop-off and pick-up location with direct access to the Balloon Launch Field. According to the website, it’s closer than any of the parking lots.

All chartered buses will have reserved parking, approximately 100 yards from the drop-off location and must remain there for the duration of the event. No exit and re-entry will be permitted.

To learn more and purchase a buss pass, click here.   

Road closures

Temporary road closures will be in place during the morning lift off from 5-9:30 a.m.; and the balloon glow from 3-11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

Here’s a look at the road closures, according to the event’s website:

• E. Pikes Peak Avenue between S. Hancock Avenue and N. Union Avenue (closed to all traffic)
• N. Union Boulevard between E. Pikes Peak Avenue and Eastlake Road (closed to all traffic)
• S. Hancock Avenue between E. Pikes Peak Avenue and E. Vermijo Avenue (closed to all traffic)
• All streets and alleys running north to south between E. Kiowa Street and E. Pikes Peak Avenue from S. Hancock Avenue to N. Union Boulevard (closed to thru traffic)
• E. Cucharras Street and E. Vermijo Avenue between S. Cedar Street and S. Hancock Avenue (closed to thru traffic)
• Interior Park Road: Farragut Avenue between Hancock Avenue and Pikes Peak Avenue (closed to thru traffic)
• Interior Park Road: Sports Drive between Hancock Avenue and Farragut Avenue (closed to thru traffic)
• Interior Park Road: Sports Drive between Hancock Avenue and Farragut Avenue (closed to thru traffic)

Balloon Rides

Get a birds eye view of Colorado Springs with the Rainbow Ryders. Sunrise flights are available from Aug. 29 through Sept. 1 for shared baskets rides, private rides and wheelchair accessible rides. Rides can range from $375 to $600 per person. 

Hot air balloon flights are typically 45 minutes to an hour, according to the Rainbow Ryders’ website. Private and shared basket rides are available for purchase.

Several flights are fully booked at this time. Click here to see available times. 

Entertainment: Wings of Blue, remote-controlled balloons, drone shows and more

Attendees can expect several different entertainment options at this year’s Lift Off and Balloon Glow, including the USAFA Wings of Blue Skydive Jumpers, remote-controlled balloon displays and more. 

Here’s a look at this year’s offerings:

USAFA Wings of Blue Skydive Jumpers at 9 a.m. on. Sat. and Sun.

Remote-controlled balloon display at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. on Mon.

Orangetheory 5k at Labor Day Lift Off at 9 a.m. on Sun. ($39.31), register here.

Drone Shows at 6 a.m. daily and 9:30 p.m. on Sat. and Sun.

Aerial Acrobats – Aerial Aura at 4-8 p.m. on Sat. and Sun.

UpaDowna Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Prospect Lake form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat. and Sun. 

Live music between 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sat. and Sun., and 9 a.m. on Mon. Click here to see who’s set to play. 

The Beer and Mimosa Garden will open at 7 a.m. daily and 3:30 p.m. on Sat. and Sun.

2025 Labor Day Lift Off Photo Contest

Mike’s Camera is sponsoring this year’s Labor Day Lift Off photo contest, with prizes including a hot air balloon ride for two. The contest will open Aug. 30 through Sept. 7.

Enter for a chance to win:

• A hot air balloon ride for two

• A Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Instant Film Camera from Mike’s Camera

• A $50 Amazon gift card

Click here to enter the photo contest.

*Must be 18 years or older to enter. Entrants further grant to The Gazette and Denver Gazette and Mike’s Camera the right to use and publish their proper name and state online and in print, or any other media, in connection with the Contest.