At this level, our household has visited loads of locations and attended loads of occasions. One in every of our favourite issues we’ve ever visited as full-time RVers? The Albuquerque Worldwide Balloon Fiesta! This occasion is totally magical and we’ll always remember the sensation of waking as much as hot-air balloons flying straight overhead throughout this most wonderful of hot-air balloon festivals.
We cherished this expertise a lot that I’ve began making an inventory of balloon festivals to attend across the nation. Listed here are my prime picks as of proper now. They’re listed in chronological order by means of the subsequent calendar yr, so plan your final balloon pageant journey with RV Journey Wizard as we speak!
Labor Day Carry Off
Colorado Springs, Colorado
August 31–September 2, 2024
One other occasion that provides a surprising backdrop for the balloon efficiency, Labor Day Carry Off takes place in beautiful Colorado Springs. Right here you’ll see round 70 balloons take to the skies with the Rockies within the background. Reside leisure (together with skydive jumpers and aerial acrobats) add to the enjoyable, and the donut consuming competitors is all the time a hoot.
There isn’t any onsite tenting for this occasion. As an alternative, think about staying on the close by Foot of the Rockies RV Resort.
The Nice Reno Balloon Race
Reno, Nevada
September 6–8, 2024
For individuals who are on a good price range, the Nice Reno Balloon Race may very well be a sensible choice. This wonderful occasion is the world’s largest free hot-air ballooning occasion, attracting as many as 140,000 guests. It’s 4 days lengthy and consists of paid hot-air balloon rides, illuminated balloon occasions, foolish competitions, and an entire lot extra.
There isn’t any onsite tenting for this occasion. As an alternative, think about staying on the close by River West Resort.
Carolina BalloonFest
Statesville, North Carolina
October 18–20, 2024
North Carolina is a completely beautiful place to be in the course of the fall, and the Carolina BalloonFest makes it much more unbelievable by including a splash of coloration to the sky.
Right here you’ll see mass ascensions and nighttime balloon glows. You’ll even have the chance to journey in a hot-air balloon, take pleasure in some dwell leisure, attempt native wine and beer, and have a enjoyable time with the little ones within the child zone. Be sure you camp onsite to get probably the most out of your go to!
Study extra about tenting onsite.
Albuquerque Worldwide Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque, New Mexico
October 5–13, 2024
That is the massive one! The biggest and longest-running balloon pageant within the US, the Albuquerque Worldwide Balloon Fiesta is totally epic. Greater than 500 distinctive hot-air balloons elevate off every day of this occasion, filling the sky with a rainbow of colours and an infinite number of shapes. The “evening glow” offers guests with a chance to see the balloons all lit up, and by utilizing one of many official tenting areas, you’ll probably be handled to balloons flying proper over your rig.
This occasion is extremely in style. Make certain to safe your campsite as quickly as they grow to be accessible! In case you miss out, attempt certainly one of these RV parks as a substitute.
Arizona Balloon Traditional
Phoenix, Arizona
January 24–26, 2025
One of many solely wintertime balloon festivals I’ve been capable of finding, the Arizona Balloon Traditional takes place in January. It options all types of superior enjoyable, together with a laser gentle present, fireworks, and a household enjoyable zone that’s open all day lengthy.
The Desert Winds Kite Competition runs alongside the balloon pageant, that means you may also take pleasure in beautiful present kites, parachute floor racing, and extra.
There isn’t any onsite tenting for this occasion. As an alternative, think about staying on the close by Lined Wagon RV Park.
Jubilee Scorching Air Balloon Traditional
Decatur, Alabama
Might 2025
As a result of Decatur is inside a day’s drive for practically half of the inhabitants of the US, this would possibly simply be probably the most simply accessible occasion on our checklist. The Jubilee Scorching Air Balloon Traditional is on the smaller facet, however that is really good in some methods as a result of it means fewer crowds to deal with. Round 60 balloons typically elevate off at this occasion. You’ll additionally get an opportunity to take a look at vintage autos, balloon races, and extra.
There isn’t any onsite tenting for this occasion. As an alternative, think about staying on the close by Level Mallard Park.
Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Competition
Lake Skinner, California
Might 2025
If meals and wine are your factor, you would possibly wish to think about the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Competition. This three-day-long California pageant options plenty of beautiful balloons. On prime of that, guests have a chance to style greater than 20 completely different California wines, attempt some native beers, and dine on scrumptious delicacies.
The wine-barrel races add a singular aptitude to the occasion, the dwell performances are top-notch, and the onsite tenting is tremendous handy.
Study extra about tenting onsite.
Chester County Scorching Air Balloon Competition
Kenneth Sq., Pennsylvania
June 2025
Held in superbly inexperienced Brandywine Valley in Pennsylvania, the Chester County Scorching Air Balloon Competition is one other smaller occasion that’s effectively price trying out. The pageant has been working since 1998 and runs for 3 days every year. It options loads of balloons taking a few flights every day, in addition to balloon rides, dwell music, distributors, a children zone, and plenty of foods and drinks.
There isn’t any onsite tenting for this occasion. As an alternative, think about staying on the close by Philadelphia/West Chester KOA Vacation.
Lottery Competition of Ballooning
Readington, New Jersey
June 2025
One other pageant that’s effectively price attending, the Lottery Competition of Ballooning is the largest North American hot-air balloon pageant that occurs in the course of the summer time months. Along with greater than 100 beautiful balloons, this occasion additionally options plenty of unbelievable musicians. Some artists which have carried out on the pageant prior to now embody The Barenaked Women, The Jonas Brothers, and KC and the Sunshine Band.
There isn’t any onsite tenting for this occasion. As an alternative, think about staying on the close by Mountain View Campground.
Teton Valley Balloon Rally
Driggs, Idaho
July 2025
Hoping for a summertime occasion? The Teton Valley Balloon Rally presents a wonderful technique to have a good time the Fourth of July. The Teton Mountains within the background add one thing further particular to the view of the balloons, and the truth that you possibly can camp on the close by area makes it simple to catch the early morning occasions. Different happenings in the course of the pageant embody a pancake breakfast, a fiddling contest, and fireworks.
Study extra about tenting onsite.
Float On!
As you possibly can see, there are tons of fantastic scorching air balloon festivals everywhere in the nation. Why not select one from the checklist above and plan your personal magical scorching air balloon RV getaway?