5 Largest Hot Air Balloon Festivals in the U.S.
Aug 21, 2025
Key Takeaways
- The United States is home to some of the largest hot air balloon festivals in the world, offering visitors a fun and communal experience while enjoying the country’s natural beauty from above.
- The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the largest hot air balloon festival in the U.S., featuring over 500 balloons and hundreds of thousands of visitors.
- Other notable hot air balloon festivals in the U.S. with high attendance rates include the Red Rock Balloon Rally, the Great Reno Balloon Race, Labor Day Lift Off, and the Arizona Balloon Classic.
- Some festivals add a fun, themed twist to hot air ballooning. For instance, Scottsdale’s Spooktacular Balloon Festival offers family-friendly Halloween festivities and unforgettable hot air balloon flights.
Celebrating America’s Balloon Festivals
The United States hosts some of the world’s most spectacular and largest hot air balloon festivals. These widespread events boast special offerings, including breathtaking mass ascensions, evening glows, and a myriad of cultural festivities. Visiting one of the largest hot air balloon festivals in the United States is sure to offer once-in-a-lifetime thrills and photo-worthy moments.
There are so many festivals to choose from, from the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®, which typically boasts over 500+ daily launches, to Gallup’s culturally rich Red Rock Balloon Rally, which takes place over stunning canyon landscapes. Each event uniquely showcases the diversity and spirit of hot air ballooning in the American Southwest and other quintessential parts of the United States.
This comprehensive guide highlights the five biggest hot air balloon celebrations throughout the country. Read through the descriptions of each event to make it easier to plan your next unforgettable adventure.
The 5 Largest Balloon Festivals in the United States
The following U.S. festivals feature the most hot air balloons, making them must-see events for many travelers. Consider attending one of the large hot air balloon festivals mentioned below to experience mass ascensions, tethered rides, or live entertainment.
1. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® is not only the largest hot air balloon festival in the U.S., but in the world as a whole. This annual festival typically takes place in early October and is widely regarded as the crown jewel of hot air ballooning events, due to its 500+ daily launches and extensive offerings. Additionally, the dependable fall weather and stunning Sandia Mountains in Albuquerque, New Mexico, create ideal conditions and a picturesque backdrop for hot air balloon rides and viewing.
One of the most noteworthy aspects of this festival is the mass ascension, where hundreds of balloons lift off in waves at dawn. This unique spectacle draws global crowds, but it isn’t the only attention-grabbing attraction at the Balloon Fiesta.
Some examples of on-site activities at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta are:
- Dawn Patrol for early-morning liftoffs
- Nighttime Balloon Glows that involve grounded balloons lighting up in unison
- Competitive hot air balloon races and challenges
- Skydiving shows
- Live music
- An expansive vendor village
- Live chainsaw carvings
Rainbow Ryders has been the official balloon ride operator of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta® since 1999, meaning our experienced pilots are the only ones allowed to conduct commercial hot air balloon rides from inside the festival grounds. Each day, we fly around 350 passengers at this festival, providing each rider with a safe, thoughtful, and thrilling experience that fuels lifelong memories.
2. Red Rock Balloon Rally
The Red Rock Balloon Rally is another sizable hot air balloon festival located in the American Southwest, in the city of Gallup, New Mexico, which is approximately two hours from the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta®’s location. The Red Rock Balloon Rally takes place annually in early December and offers visitors the opportunity to experience breathtaking views over dramatic red rock formations in one of the festival’s 150+ balloons.
The Red Rock Balloon Rally is the second-largest ballooning event in the U.S. and the world’s largest hot air balloon event held on Native American land. It offers visually dramatic settings, cultural elements, unique topography, and winter timing that make it a standout occasion.
Some examples of on-site activities at the Red Rock Balloon Rally are:
- Traditional Native American dances
- Native American cultural exhibitions
- Evening balloon glows that are complemented by handcrafted lanterns
- An artisan market with local crafts and jewelry
- Holiday-themed performances and parades
Rainbow Ryders is the official ride operator for this event, ensuring safe flights from some of the best pilots in the industry in an experience you won’t soon forget.
3. Great Reno Balloon Race
The Great Reno Balloon Race is one of the longest-running ballooning festivals in the U.S., and it is located at Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno, Nevada. Each year, around early September, this free, family-friendly event features dramatic dawn launches. Its sunrise mass ascension showcases more than 100 balloons lifting off in unison after a spectacular Dawn Patrol.
Not only is this event free to attend, but it is also an easily accessible and low-hassle way to see beautiful hot air balloons up close, thanks to its proximity to downtown Reno and its wide-open park setting. The family atmosphere and impressive turnout year after year earn it its ranking as a must-see balloon event.
Some examples of on-site activities at the Great Reno Balloon Race are:
- Live music and entertainment
- Hot air balloon glows in the evening
- Beer gardens
- A dedicated kids’ zone
4. Labor Day Lift Off
Colorado Springs’ Labor Day Lift Off exhibits over 70 hot air balloons, which launch at sunrise. With Rainbow Ryders as the official ride operator of the event, this patriotic celebration colors the skies above Memorial Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with eye-catching balloons every Labor Day weekend.
The Rocky Mountain backdrop, evening glows, and variety of ground events make Labor Day Lift Off a fun, festive way to watch the summer season fly away. Since this event is popular among locals and out-of-town guests, it has become one of the most successful events of its kind in the Mountain States.
Some examples of on-site activities at Labor Day Lift Off are:
- A fun zone with interactive games
- Live entertainment, including musical performances
- A variety of vendors offering local fares and art
- Wings of Blue Skydiver presentation
- Orangetheory 5K race among the balloons
- Balloons with special shapes and designs
5. New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning
Although the most prominent hot air ballooning events in the U.S. are located in the southwestern portion of the country, the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning is still worth mentioning, as it is widely considered the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America. This event, held at Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey, takes place every July, featuring approximately 100 colorful balloons.
This festival’s combination of aviation, music, and family-friendly activities makes it a standout on the East Coast. The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning draws 150,000+ attendees annually by dazzling everyone with its mass ascensions, tethered rides, and delightful, special-shaped balloons.
In addition to the morning and evening balloon launches, some other on-site activities this festival delivers are:
- Live concerts by nationally known artists
- A huge carnival midway
- Vendor booths
- Interactive exhibits
- A 5K run
- A fireworks display
Whether you’re watching a sunrise lift-off or dancing to music with hot air balloons filling the sky around you, the atmosphere of the five events above can feel electric for people of all ages.
Honorable Mentions
While the five hot air balloon festivals above are the largest in the U.S. in terms of balloon count and attendance, the two regional events below deserve recognition for their creativity, community engagement, and growing popularity.
Arizona Balloon Classic
The Arizona Balloon Classic is a festival designed to kick off the new year season in a high-flying way. Every January, this festival brings together dozens of vibrant hot air balloons for a weekend of sky-high fun in Goodyear, Arizona. With Rainbow Ryders as the trusted, official ride operator of the festival, this event features many of the same attractions as the larger balloon festivals mentioned above, including morning launches, evening glows, and various activities tailored to people of all ages.
Some highlights of the Arizona Balloon Classic are:
- Morning races, where a lead pilot is chased
- Evening balloon glows with tethered balloons lighting up the night
- Food trucks
- A beer garden
- Live music performances
- A kids’ play area
With Arizona’s dependably clear January skies and mild winter weather, this festival offers a perfect opportunity to experience ballooning without having to attend one of the larger events that can get extremely crowded.
Spooktacular Balloon Festival
The Spooktacular Balloon Festival is typically held at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona, during Halloween weekend. This unique festival combines family-friendly Halloween fun with the excitement of hot air ballooning. During this festival, more than 20 glowing balloons serve as trick-or-treat stations, providing a safe and interactive experience for children.
In addition to balloon glows and trick-or-treating at different balloon baskets, some highlights of the Spooktacular Balloon Festival are:
- Tethered rides by Rainbow Ryders with photo ops
- Costume contests
- Haunted trails
- Pumpkin patches
- Carnival rides and bounce houses
By uniquely blending seasonal celebration with ballooning, this family-focused Halloween event has become one of the most creative hot air balloon events in the country.
Be Part of the Balloon Magic
Whether you’re chasing the morning light in New Mexico or relishing in the vibrant colors of Colorado Springs on Labor Day, the large-scale United States-based hot air balloon festivals mentioned above will let you experience the beauty and exhilaration of hot air ballooning like nowhere else in the world. Whichever U.S. hot air balloon festival you attend is bound to have a unique personality and charm.
You can get the most out of your experience by flying with Rainbow Ryders. Not only are we the official ride operator at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, but our highly experienced pilots are stationed throughout many of the largest hot balloon festivals in the United States, including the Red Rock Balloon Rally, Labor Day Lift Off, the Arizona Balloon Classic, and more.
We also offer year-round rides in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Park City, and Phoenix. Book your hot air balloon ride effortlessly on our website to ensure you fly with trustworthy, FAA-certified pilots who prioritize safety, professionalism, and unforgettable views. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our team!
