I have loved seeing hot air balloons for as long as I can remember. I don’t know if it was the colors, or getting up and out of the house really early in the morning to go on an adventure, or just getting to enjoy the time with my dad and brothers. For many years, the Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival took place at the Dutchess County Regional Airport right up the road from my parent’s house. It made it easier for my dad to drag three kids under ten out of bed at 6am since we were only going five minutes away. It also used to be free to attend, which help a lot, too. In the years that followed, the Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon festival moved to the Hudson Riverfront, Barton Orchards, the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, and its current home at Tymor Park. It may not be free anymore, but it does seem more crowded. Even still, I love to see the balloons unfurl, blow up, and lift off. Now when I try to go see them, I also try to schedule some mini photo sessions with the balloon backdrop, because I love sharing and capturing their magic.
In another effort to share the wonder of hot air balloons, here is a list of all the hot air balloon festivals in the Northeast United States along with their location, date, fees, and description of what’s going on!
CONNECTICUT
Guilford Balloon Glow & Laser Show
Location: The Guilford Fairgrounds
When: August 16-17, 2024
Cost: $10-$20 depending on age of person
What else is happening there: These Balloon Glow & Laser Shows are all by the same company and so all have the same features and fees. There will be tethered and untethered balloon rides, a kid zone, a DJ and live music and balloon glows.Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Festival
Location: Norton Park, Plainville, CT
When: August 23-24, 2024
Cost: Free
What else is happening there: On Friday, there will be a fireworks show and a balloon glow. Balloon launches will only take place on Saturday morning and evening. There will also be a car show on Saturday and a craft fair. The Fire Company will be selling concessions and all money raised goes back in to the community to assist many organizations and fund local scholarships.
MAINE
Great Falls Balloon Festival
Location: Simard-Payne Memorial Park, Lewiston, Maine
When: TBD August 2024
Cost: Free
What else is happening there: Balloon launches are 6am and 6pm daily. Following the morning launches, there’s a pancake breakfast. You can also enjoy carnival rides, a parade, live music, a kid zone, and balloon glows.Crown of Maine Balloon Fest
Location: Northern Maine Fairgrounds
When: August 22-25, 2024
Cost: Free
What else is happening there: There will be seven balloon launches over the 4 days. In-between the launches, there will be live music, a craft fair, tethered rides, balloon glows, family activities, a paint n’ sip, and a 5k.
MARYLAND
Annual Chesapeake Bay Balloon Festival
Location: Cedar Lane Park, Bel Air, MD
When: TBD
Cost: Free for kids under 15, $25 for adult day pass. Morning flights are free.
What else is happening there:You can enjoy tethered balloon rides, balloon glows, games, live music, and kid zones.Anne Arundel County Balloon Glow & Laser Show
Location: The Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds
When: August 2-3, 2024
Cost: $10-$20 depending on age of person
What else is happening there: These Balloon Glow & Laser Shows are all by the same company and so all have the same features and fees. There will be tethered and untethered balloon rides, a kid zone, a DJ and live music and balloon glows.
MASSACHUSETTS
Topsfield Balloon Glow & Laser Show
TBD if this is still going on.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Suncook Valley Rotary’s Hot Air Balloon Rally Weekend
Location: Drake Field, Pittsfield, NH
When: August 2-4, 2024
Cost: Free
What else is happening there: The site hasn’t been updated yet, but in year’s past there has been a 5k, helicopter rides, tethered balloon rides, a craft fair, and an “Anything That Floats” river raft regatta!
NEW JERSEY
Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival
Location: Warren County Community College
When: June 1-2, 2024
Cost: $5-$10 per person + $5 for parking
What else is happening there: There’s tethered rides, robot battles, drone demonstrations, live music, entertainers, balloon glows, and a car and truck show.New Jersey Festival of Ballooning
CANCELLED FOR 2024Hot Air Balloon Festival at the Warren County Farmers' Fair
Location: Warren County Farmer’s Fair
When: July 27-August 3, 2024
Cost: $5-$10 per person
What else is happening there: Lots to do over the week! There’s a demolition derby, a fair ambassador contest, tethered rides, live music, tractor pulls, rodeo shows, a car and truck show, art, flower, and food competitions, a baking contest, carnival rides, balloon glows, and everything else you’d expect at a county fair.Hot Air Balloons, Fun & Games Festival
Location: Warren County Community College
When: September 21-22, 2024
Cost: $5-$10 per person + $5 for parking
What else is happening there: Enjoy balloons, drones, entertainment, and food trucks.
NEW YORK
Cambridge Valley Balloon Festival
Location: Cambridge Central School on Rt. 22
When: June 7-9, 2024
Cost: Free
What else is happening there: On Friday, there will be a block party and BBQ, followed by fireworks. On Saturday, carnival rides are available and there will be a balloon glow after dusk. On Sunday after the morning launch, you can have breakfast with the pilots at the American Legion on Rt. 22. In total, there will be four launches of 10 balloons. All money raised from the events, goes towards next year’s festival to keep it free.The Great Wellsville Balloon Rally
Location: Island Park in Wellsville, NY
When: July19-21, 2024
Cost: Free
What is happening there: Pending good weather, there will be four launches with 30 balloons on Friday evening, Saturday morning and evening, and Sunday morning. There will also be fireworks on Saturday night and a balloon glow.Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally
Location: 1 Otsiningo Park in Binghamton, NY
When: August 2-4, 2024
Cost: Free for morning launches. For the rest of the rally, $10+ pp and $10 for parking
What is happening there: There’s going to be live music, a 5k, a car show, a volleyball tournament, a cook-off, wrestling, free tethered balloon rides, meet and greets, food vendors, and five balloon launches from Friday evening to Sunday evening and a balloon glow on Friday night.Susquehanna Balloon Festival
Location: Neahwa Park, Oneonta, NY
When: TBD
Cost: Free
What else is happening there: In addition to the balloon launches, there will be bounce houses, balloon glows, and more as they are still actively planning the weekend!Hudson Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival
Location: Tymor Park in Union Vale, NY
When: August 30- Sept 1, 2024
Cost: $13.95-$37.95 per person.
What is happening there: There will be tethered hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides, food vendors, kids activities, fireworks on Saturday evening, and five launches between Friday evening and Sunday evening with around 25 balloons.New York State Festival of Balloons
Location: Dansville Municipal Airport in Dansville, NY
When: August 31, 2024
Cost: $12-$57 depending on age of person and 1-day or 3-day pass
What is happening there: On August 31, there will be a free balloon glow at Brae Burn Golf Course. At the same time as the balloon festival, Rally ‘Round The Valley will be taking place in town with numerous free events such as a car show, craft show, volleyball tournament. At the Hot Air Balloon Show, there will be balloon rides (tethered and untethered), balloon glows, a DJ and live music, and a kid zone that includes games, rock walls, bounce houses, and trains.Adirondack Balloon Festival
Location: Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury, NY
When: TBD September 2024
Cost: Free
What is happening there: Along with the six launches from Thursday evening to Sunday morning and up to 75 balloons. They will have a craft fair, food vendors, a block party, as well as a balloon glow Saturday night. No pets allowed at this festival.Altamont Balloon Glow & Laser Show
TBD if this is still going on.Saratoga Balloon and BBQ Festival
Location: Columbia County Fairgrounds
When: TBD
Cost: TBD
What else is happening there: There will also be an outdoor concert series, wine tasting, balloon glows, a kid zone, and entertainers like magicians and dog shows.
PENNSYLVANIA
Thurston Classic
Location: Allegheny College Robertson Athletic Complex, Meadville, PA
When: June 13-16, 2024
Cost: Free
What else is happening there: This event is all about the balloons. There’s a balloon glow and hot air balloon games that the pilots play while in flight!Chester County Balloon Festival
Location: Landhope Farms
When: June 14-16, 2024
Cost: $0-$25 depending on person’s age
What else is happening there: There will be balloon launches, balloon glows, a balloon rodeo, a beer garden, a walk-through balloon, live music, kid crafts, and food available.Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival and Country Fair
Location: 2727 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird in Hand, PA
When: TBD
Cost: $7-$55
What else is happening there: Your ticket includes access to the bounce houses, corn maze, tractor ride, lawn games, and balloon walkthrough. For an additional fee, you can book tethered or untethered balloon rides, or climb a rock wall.Philly Balloon & Music Festival
TBD if this is still going on.
VERMONT
Quechee Hot Air Balloon Craft and Music Festival
Location: 70 Village Green Circle, Quechee VT 05059
When: June 14-16, 2024
Cost: TBD/$5-$20
What else is happening there: Balloon launches, tethered and untethered balloon rides, balloon glows, live music, a craft fair entertainers, and demonstrations are some of what you can take part in at the festival.
Stowe Balloon Festival
TBD if this is still going on.
WANT TO DO A PHOTO SESSION AT A HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL?
Reach out!
Kristen Tomkowid
