Colorado is the best state for a hot air balloon festival.

Picture sweeping mountain views and a skyline dotted with a rainbow of floating colors.

There’s no excuse to miss a hot air balloon festival in Colorado each year, with more than 12 hot air balloon lift-offs taking place in the Centennial State. There’s an abundance of opportunities to capture the perfect photo or see the skies light up in colors.

🎈 Telluride Balloon Festival
📍 Location: Telluride Town Park, 500 E Colorado Ave, Telluride, Colo. 81435
📅 Date: June 6, 2026 – June 7, 2026
💵 Cost: Free to attend/watch
✨ What to Expect: Picture this — colorful balloons floating against the stunning backdrop of this cozy mountain town, nestled in a box canyon. Get lost in this mountain town and step off the beaten path in Telluride. You can enjoy the hot air balloon festival from a unique vantage point, at the top of San Sophia or from Telluride’s gondola.
🌅 Best time to go: Flights take off at 6:00 a.m., Balloon Glow on Main Street 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. June 6, 2026
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: Even with a long drive, you really can’t beat the mountain views in Telluride. One night is more than enough to experience the magic of this little, untouched town, or if you are feeling adventurous, book a camping spot and sleep under the stars nestled in the box canyon. You’ll really feel like you’ve stepped back in time when you visit Telluride.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 family-friendly, 🌄 scenic views, 🌙 night glow, 🚶 walkable, 🚫🐶 not dog-friendly, 📸 content-core

🎈 Frederick in Flight
📍 Location: Centennial Park, 630 Eighth St, Frederick, Colo., 80530
📅 Dates: June 26, 27, & 28 2026
💵 Cost: Free to watch and attend, with food and market vendors onsite with items to purchase.
✨ What to Expect: A perfect outing for the whole family and plenty of opportunities to attend, so you don’t miss the liftoff. Three full mornings of flying at this large, grassy park with breakfast vendors so you can eat before the event and enjoy the liftoff to its fullest. There is also a balloon bash on Saturday evening with live music, skydiving, vendors, a beer garden, and even a candelabrum and balloon glow to light up the night sky.
🌅 Best time to go: Saturday, June 27, 2026, make it a full day starting at 5:00 a.m. with breakfast, take a mid-day nap in the park or check out downtown Frederick, head back for the balloon bash from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: Just a short drive from downtown Denver and with three mornings of liftoffs, there is no excuse to miss a balloon lift off this summer. With breakfast vendors on-site, a large park to spread out, and ample parking, this balloon festival is by far one of the easiest to attend logistically.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 Family-friendly, 🌙 night glow, 🎶 live music, 🍺 beer garden, 🚫🐶 not dog-friendly, 🍔 food vendors

🎈 4th of July Western Sky Balloon Festival
📍 Location: Confluence Park, Gunnison River Drive, Delta, Colo., 81416
📅 Dates: Thursday, July 2, 2026, 5 p.m. – Sunday, July 5, 2026, 10 a.m.
💵 Cost: Free to attend and watch, with some activities like the pickleball tournament and hot air balloon tethering having a cost.
✨ What to Expect: The perfect way to spend 4th of July weekend, soaking in the mountain air of the beautiful Western Slope. This festival packs a load of activities into one weekend, like duck races, a talent show, a pickleball tournament, a foam party, 5k races, balloon liftoff, face painting, mechanical bull riding and anything else you could probably think up. A one-stop shop for the whole family to check off everything on that summer bucket list in one weekend.
🌅 Best time to go: Friday, July 3rd, or Saturday, July 4th are the two days with the most stacked activities.
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: Pack everything on your summer bucket list into one weekend? This festival allows you to try out all those silly summer bucket list items you’ve been wanting to try, without wasting your whole summer on small fry activities. Book yourself a camping spot and get off the beaten path to enjoy all those kitschy events that aren’t worth going out of your way for individually.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 family-friendly, 🌄 scenic views, 🌙 night glow, 🎶 talent show, 🍔 food vendors, 🍺 beer garden, 🚫🐶 not dog-friendly, 🎆 drone show

🎈 Erie Balloon Festival
📍 Location: Weld County Road 5 & Colliers Parkway, 3180 Co Rd 5, Erie, Colo., 80516
📅 Dates: July 10 – July 12, 2026
💵 Cost: Free to attend, free parking at Erie High School & Soaring Heights K-8
✨ What to Expect: Colorful balloons and cute characters take flight in this family-friendly festival that is only 25 miles from downtown Denver, making it an easy day-trip for anyone who’s been really wanting to see a balloon festival, without the long drive. Bring a camera for the perfect shots of the mass ascention of balloons, animals and characters floating through the sky.
🌅 Best time to go: Balloons inflate at 6 a.m. Launch begins shortly after. Arrive early to watch them take flight. Saturday night glow starts at 8 p.m.
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: Get all the magic of a balloon festival without the hassle of getting a hotel room or camping. Just wake up early, pack a picnic of breakfast burritos and a thermos of coffee, and whichever camera you like to shoot with for the perfect family outing.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 family-friendly, 🌄 scenic views,🌙 night glow, 🎈tethered flights, 🚫🐶 not dog-friendly, 🎶 live music, 🍔 food vendors

🎈 Moffat County Balloon Festival
📍 Location: Loudy-Simpson Park, Craig, Colo., 81625
📅 Dates: July 31, 2026 – August 2, 2026
💵 Cost: Free
✨ What to Expect: A perfect way to wind down at the end of summer with a balloon festival in the mountain town of Craig. With sweeping views of the Yampa Valley, abundant mountain biking and hiking trails, and family-friendly activities along the way, like Dinosaur National Monument, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The weekend is stacked with festival activities like a 5k color run, kite making and flying, a car show, a cardboard regatta, and BINGO.
🌅 Best time to go: Attend launches on Friday evening and stay for a full day of entertainment, balloon flights, live music and a balloon glow at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday.
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: With an abundance of activities both centered around the balloon festival and the town of Craig itself, you won’t run out of things to do in this town. For a unique experience you can only find in Craig, head over to the Wild Horse Refuge to learn about the wild mustangs or check out the dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur National Monument.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 family-friendly, 🌄 scenic views,🌙 night glow, 🎈tethered flights, 🚫🐶 not dog-friendly, 🎶 live music, 🍔 food vendors, 🚣‍♂️ cardboard regatta

🎈 Windsor Harvest Festival
📍 Location: Boardwalk Community Park, 100 N. 5th St., Windsor, Colo., 80550
📅 Dates: Starts at 6:30 a.m. Saturday Sept. 5 – 7, 2026
💵 Cost: Free to attend/watch
✨ What to Expect: End the summer on a high note with a harvest festival that packs all the events you may have missed throughout the summer into one weekend. The event kicks off with a hot air balloon launch and farmers market, where you can find those Palisade peaches and Rocky Ford melons without the trek into the mountains. There is also a chalk art festival and a fireworks show, church services, a BBQ, a parade, a pie eating contest, a petting zoo, and horse-drawn carriages.
🌅 Best time to go: Head to the park at 6 a.m. on Saturday Sept. 5, 2026 to watch the balloon launch as they float over the lake from Boardwalk Park and then head over to Main Street to see the chalk art and farmers market vendors.
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: It’s a final sendoff to summer with events for everyone in the family to participate in or just watch. With a farmers market, BINGO games, a beer garden and petting zoo, it’s your last chance to soak in the sun and get outside.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 family-friendly, 🌄 scenic views, 🎆 fireworks show, 🥧 pie eating contest, 🍺 beer garden, 🐶 dog-friendly, 🍑 farmer’s market

🎈Labor Day Lift Off
📍 Location: Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo., 80910
📅 Dates: Starts at 5:15 a.m. on Saturday Sept. 5 – 7, 2026
💵 Cost: Free to attend/watch with add-ons like balloon rides, or access to their VIP Liftoff Lounge with optimal spots for content shooting. Get tickets here.
✨ What to Expect: All the magic of the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta right in the heart of the Pikes Peak region. This festival is the fourth largest in the nation, according to Rainbow Riders. The event includes not only balloon launches and rides, but musical performances, vendor booths, kids activities, and skydivers. There are three full days of balloon launches set against the backdrop of America’s Mountain and a night glow with a stunning lake scene to set up the perfect photos.
🌅 Best time to go: Attend the morning launches on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026 at 7 a.m. and then head to downtown Colorado Springs for lunch at the Rabbit Hole. Then head back to Memorial Park for the night glow.
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: The perfect place to capture that perfect photo. Whether you are a professional photographer looking to get some nice shots on your DSLR or you are just looking for the perfect place for a day of content and shooting selfies, few backdrops beat the scene of balloons floating over Pikes Peak.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 family-friendly, 🌄 scenic views,🌙 night glow, 🎈balloon flights, 🚫🐶 not dog-friendly, 🎶 live music, 🍔 food vendors, 📸 content-core

🎈 Colorfest Hot Air Balloon Rally
📍 Location: More details coming soon, but typically held in downtown Pagosa Springs.
📅 Dates: September 18-20, 2026
💵 Cost: Free to attend/watch
✨ What to Expect: Escape to the relaxing mountain town of Pagosa and experience a balloon liftoff like no other. This small mountain town packs a punch with a food and wine festival, bands and brews, a color run, and a balloon glow at dusk to bring this tiny mountain town to life. With a balloon ascension on both days, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the hot springs while you’re there.
🌅 Best time to go: Head into town Friday Sept. 18, 2026 and grab a hotel room or camping spot for the night and get settled in so you can head to the 8 a.m. balloon launch on Saturday. Then spend time bopping around town and enjoying the food and wine festival before heading to the hot springs for the evening.
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: Make your little side quest relaxing, starting with a balloon launch that is photo-worthy and end the day with a long, hot soak in one of Colorado’s most famous hot springs.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 family-friendly, 🌄 scenic views,🌙 night glow, 🎈balloon flights, 🚫🐶 not dog-friendly, 🎶 live music, 🍔 food vendors, 🍷 wine tastings, ♨️ hot springs

🎈 Balloon Fest Pueblo Chili and Frijoles Festival
📍Location: Langoni Sports Complex, 2101 W. 24th St., Pueblo, Colo., 81003
📅 Dates: Starting at 6:30 a.m. September 18-20, 2026
💵 Cost: $8 general admission. Free for children 12 and under and Active Military. Get tickets here.
✨ What to Expect: This festival celebrates the sweet and spicy agriculture community of Southern Colorado. The annual farmer’s market and chili roasting festival pays tribute to one of Colorado’s most beloved produce items, the Pueblo Chili, and has events like a balloon launch, a chihuahua parade, a 5k & 10k race, a salsa showdown and a jalapeño eating contest for those who are brave enough. Can you take the heat?
🌅 Best time to go: Head to the balloon festival on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026, to see the balloon launch in the morning. Then check out the chili festival in downtown Pueblo, hitting as many farmer’s market stands as you can, collecting Rocky Ford melons, Palisade Peaches and Pueblo chilis to take home with you. Then, brave the jalapeno eating contest at 4 p.m. on Sunday.
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: Smelling the aroma of Pueblo chilis roasting in the air in autumn is one of life’s simple joys, whether you grew up in Colorado or are just learning to appreciate the regional cuisine. It’s one of the ‘most Colorado’ festivals you can attend, and the balloons are just a bonus.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 family-friendly, 🌄 scenic views,🌙 night glow, 🎈balloon flights, 🐶 dog-friendly, 🎶 live music, 🍔 food vendors, 🌶️ chili roasting, 🏆 food contests

🎈 Snowmass Balloon Festival
📍 Location: Snowmass Town Park, 2000 Brush Creek Rd, Aspen, Colo., 81611, USA
📅 Dates: September 25 – 27, 2026
💵 Cost: Free to attend/watch
✨ What to Expect: A balloon festival set in one of Colorado’s bougiest towns with two days of balloon ascensions with over 30 balloons taking flight, and a Friday night balloon glow. This festival leans into the outdoors with options to hike ot the best vantage points for viewing. With the festival taking place in the peak of the foliage season, it’s the perfect way to get the perfect shot of colorful Colorado.
🌅 Best time to go: Get into town on Friday, September 25, 2026, in the afternoon and get settled into a room or camping spot, then head into town for the balloon glow. Eat at one of the many fine dining spots in town and get a good night’s rest before you wake up early to hike the Viewline Trail for fall foliage and the best views of the balloon ascention at 7 a.m.
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: Experiencing the fall foliage in the town of Aspen/Snowmass is always a treat, but adding in the colorful splashes of hot air balloon flights makes your leaf-peeping weekends truly unforgettable.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 family-friendly, 🌄 scenic views, 🌙 night glow, 🚫🐶 not dog-friendly, 🍂 fall foliage

🎈 Great Aardvark Embark Balloons Take Flight at Aims
📍 Location: Aims Community College, 5401 W. 20th St, Greeley, Colo., 80634
📅 Dates: 6 a.m. September 27, 2026
💵 Cost: Free to attend/watch
✨ What to Expect: This small festival is one of the final send-offs of the ballooning season, featuring roughly 10-12 balloons launching off from the Aims Community College campus in Greeley. The event features coffee and breakfast burritos on-site to purchase, making it a perfect fall event for the whole family to enjoy.
🌅 Best time to go: Be on site early, right when the parking lot opens at 6 a.m., and bring a chair, a blanket, and a spot on the field. Don’t forget a thermos for your coffee and some napkins for your burrito.
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: It’s an easy way to work in a hot air balloon event with the family this fall if you are tired of the same old pumpkin patches and corn mazes.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 family-friendly, 🚫🐶 not dog-friendly, 🍔 food vendors,

🎈 Arkansas Valley Balloon Festival
📍 Location: Main launch site (fields adjacent to), 29625 Industrial Park Road, Rocky Ford, Colo. Evening festivities at City Hall, 203 N. Main Street, Rocky Ford, Colo.
📅 Dates: Saturday, November 7 – 8, 2026
💵 Cost: Free to attend
✨ What to Expect: The final balloon festival of the year, this is your last chance to enjoy the magic of hot air balloons in flight. The festival features a craft fair, food vendors, campfire s’mores, a tissue paper balloon launch and a photo contest so you can show off your best DSLR skills.
🌅 Best time to go: Saturday, Nov. 7, start with the balloon launch and stay for the day in Rocky Ford, enjoying the small-town vibes before you head to Main Street for the parade and s’mores.
⭐ Why It’s Worth It: The small town vibes of this event make it the perfect way to end a season of hot air balloon watching and get one last camping trip in for the season.
🎡 Extras: 👨‍👩‍👧 family-friendly, 🌄 scenic views, 🌙 night glow, 🚫🐶 not dog-friendly, 🔥 campfire activities