20th Hot Air Balloon Festival, Labor Day Weekend

August 31 – September 2, 2018

Make it a Getaway

Purchase Advance Tickets

Let your Labor Day take flight! See hot air balloons soar, or take a tethered ride yourself in our picture-perfect farewell to Summer.

The magic begins with the extraordinary Friday Night Balloon Glow, where balloons illuminate the night, and the festivities continue all weekend long. Spend your holiday engaging in a variety of family-friendly events, including live music, beach activities, a Classic Car Show and a Kids Zone*, or escape for a quiet hike or bike along miles of winding trails within the Gardens. And photography buffs can get a crash course in evening shoots with our “Mastering Night Photography.”

Delicious food and drink specials, beautiful accommodations, wonderful resort amenities, and simply spectacular scenery make this one sweet welcome to September.

Highlights include:

• Tethered balloon rides^ (Saturday and Sunday a.m. and p.m.)
• Evening balloon glows^ (Friday and Sunday p.m.)
• Live music and performances all weekend
• Food and drink specials
• Kids Zone
• Beach activities
• Classic car show
• Disc dog demonstrations
• “Mastering Night Photography” course

*Special Events Admission rates apply for Day Guests on Saturday and Sunday.  Admission included for overnight Resort Guests.   Additional fees on select activities for all guests, including Tethered Balloon rides ($10pp cash only).  

^IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please note that events and activities are subject to change without notice or in case of wind or inclement weather.  Balloons are very dependent on wind/weather.

Interested in becoming a volunteer?
Volunteer Information

2018 Festival Schedule

We have many exciting happenings for our Hot Air Balloon Festival for Labor Day Weekend.  Don’t forget to bring your Beach gear and stay tuned for more details!

Friday, August 31, 2018 – Regular Admission Pricing
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Beach Activities
11 a.m. & 4 p.m. Birds of Prey Show at the Callaway Discovery Center
4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Square 1 Recreation Center Open (Aqua Island*, Paddle Boats*, Roadster Pedal Karts*)
7 p.m. Live Music: Lucky Town
Dusk Balloon Glow^

Saturday, September 1, 2018 – Special Event Admission Pricing
6 a.m. Beach Gate Opens
7 a.m. & 5 p.m. Balloons Inflate^
7 a.m. to 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tethered Balloon Rides*^ $10/person Cash Only
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Annual Classic Car Show – Beach Dome
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Blue Morpho Month at the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Square 1 Recreation Center Open (Aqua Island*, Paddle Boats*, Roadster Pedal Karts*)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Beach Activities
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Kids Zone*: Face Painting*, Spider Jump*, Bounce House*
11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. Birds of Prey Show at the Callaway Discovery Center
4 p.m. Balloon Pilot “Meet & Greet”
7 p.m. Live Music: Groove Merchants
Dusk Fireworks^

Sunday, September 2, 2018 – Special Event Admission Pricing
6 a.m. Beach Gate Opens
7 a.m. & 5 p.m. Balloons Inflate^
7 a.m. to 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tethered Balloon Rides*^ $10/person Cash Only
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Blue Morpho Month at the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Square 1 Recreation Center Open (Aqua Island*, Paddle Boats*, Roadster Pedal Karts*)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Beach Activities
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Kids Zone*: Face Painting*, Spider Jump*, Bounce House*
11 a.m., 2 p.m. & 4 p.m. Birds of Prey Show at the Callaway Discovery Center
4 p.m. Balloon Pilot “Meet & Greet”
7 p.m. Live Music: Spencer Daniels & the Rogue Tones
Dusk Balloon Glow^

*Additional Fee
^Weather Dependent. Balloons are wind and weather dependent and will be determined by the event’s certified Balloon Meister if conditions are permitting.

No Rainchecks or Refunds. Events and Activities are subject to change without notice.

Purchase Advance Tickets

Come for the day, or make it a true getaway with a Labor Day Weekend Package today.