Looking for ways to experience a massive amount of colorful hot air balloons filling the desert sky or maybe even a hot air balloon ride? Well, this blog post is your guide to both balloon rides and hot air balloon festivals in Arizona.So hop on board and let’s explore the options!
Hot Air Balloon Festivals in Arizona
In this blog post we’ll talk about all the ways to see hot air balloons in Arizona, from fun and festivals to sunset and Champagne breakfast rides. So, this can be your go to guide for hot air ballooning events in Arizona with dates, locations and pricing information.
1. Arizona Balloon Classic
January 26-28, 2024 | 1933 S. Ballpark Way | Goodyear Ballpark, Goodyear, AZ
Held in either late January or early February the Arizona Balloon Classic is the premier hot air balloon race and festival of Arizona. The skies will be filled with colorful balloons and special shapes on Saturday and Sunday mornings mass ascensions. Then on both Friday & Saturday evenings the field will illuminate with the desert glows, the most attended event of the festival.
The hot air balloon show takes place on the grassy fields of the Goodyear Ballpark including hot air balloon rides, a family fun zone, live entertainment, hot air ballon tethered rides, a retail zone along with the Street FoodFest and a beer garden. The balloon festival is fun for the whole family.
You can grab your tickets for $25 per day or $99 for a weekend VIP pass. Discounted tickets are available for seniors and free admission for retired and active military. RV Camping at the festival is also permitted for $150 which includes 2 weekend GA passes.
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2. Page Lake Powell Balloon Regatta Street Fair
November 1 & 2, 2024 | 48 South Lake Powell Blvd | Page, AZ
The Balloon Regatta Street Fair takes place in Page, Arizona. It’s a spectacular sight of mass ascensions against the backdrop of beautiful Lake Powell scenery and the clear Arizona sky.
The street fair adds an extra layer of excitement with local vendors for retail shopping, festival food favorites for culinary delights, and music for live entertainment. It’s a wonderful event for both locals and tourists alike. And a must-attend event for the whole family. So, check back for the 2024 schedule for days and times on the ballooning events.
3. Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair
January 9 -12, 2025 | Lake Havasu State Park |Lake Havasu City, AZ
With 4 full days of ballooning events the Havasu Balloon Festival is full of many unique experiences. You can see mass ascensions fill the sky, view unique special shapes on display or go on hot air ballon tether rides or a more adventurous untethered one.
The balloon festival is more than just hot-air balloons, its filled with many fun activities. You can watch live music and entertainment, partake in a 5K or 10K race, let the kids have fun at the kids zone, stroll through a classic car display and so much more.
Tickets are $20 per person for general admission and children under 10 are free. Or you can purchase a VIP ticket for the day which includes access to VIP tent, cash bar, breakfast and dinner. RV camping reservations are also available at the festival.
4. Eloy Glow Hot Air Balloon Glow & Festival
2024 Dates TBD | Main Street Park| Downtown Eloy, AZ
The Eloy Glow Hot Air Balloon Festival is a one day event held in early November. It is a relatively new hot air balloon show that takes place about 50 miles NW of Tuscon. The festival includes static hot air balloons, tethered balloon rides, live music, beer tent, food trucks, inflatables, fireworks and more.
Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate. Children under 10 are free with a paidticket. The event is rain or shine.
5. Colorado River Crossing Hot Air Balloon Festival
2024 Dates TBD | West Wetlands Park | Yuma AZ
The Colorado River Crossing Hot Air Balloon Festival presented by Caballeros de Yuma is one of Arizona’s premier fall events. With Saturday & Sunday morning mass ascensions set over the back drop of the Colorado River and Sonoran Desert, the Yuma, AZ balloon festival is one not to miss.
The festivals most popular event is the Desert Balloon Glow that takes place on Saturday night. The tethered balloons light up the night sky with their burners firing at full blast. It’s mesmerizing as the entire pageant is synchronized to music. And after the glow you can watch an array of fireworks light up the sky again.
Ticket prices are $3 person for the balloon glow and $25 hot air balloon tether rides.
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6. Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival
October 2024 | Salt River Fields | Scottsdale, AZ
The Spooktacular Balloon Festival is a safe and fun trick or treating family event. You can describe it as a Halloween meets hot air balloon event with costume contest, spooky trails, magic show, free kids zone, evening glows, and fireworks. You’ll find the Scottsdale balloon festival is an evening of non stop entertainment.
Admission tickets can be purchased in advance online and a tethered balloon ride is first come first served on site. Parking is free and shuttle service is available. Check the website for upcoming dates and current tickets prices.
7. White Mountain Balloon Festival
2024 Dates TBD | Mountain Meadows Recreation Complex |Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
The White Mountain Balloon Festival is a free event located in the White Mountains part of the state near New Mexico. This 2 day event includes a Saturday & Sunday morning ballon flight along with a Friday and Saturday night ballon glow.
The hot air balloon show activities include live music with a kickoff concert, retail vendors, food vendors, beer garden, and a $5 pancake breakfast each morning.
You can also volunteer to help launch the balloons on the mornings of the festival. So if you have any interest, don’t mss the opportunity to be a part of the show
8. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
October 5 – 13,2024 | Ballon Fiesta Park | Albuquerque, New Mexico
While it doesn’t exactly fit in the category of hot air balloon festivals in Arizona, it is just a state away. Located in the bordering state of New Mexico. So depending on where you live, it may not be that far. And, if you’ve never been to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, then it is worth a mention.
It is the largest hot air balloon festival in the United States and also the world. This 9 days celebration is a hot air balloonists dream. From mass ascensions, morning glows, evening glows, drone light show, fireworks and so much more! It will blow you away how many unique balloons of all shapes and sizes you’ll see.
Tickets start at $15 for general admission and go up from there. This is also the premier hot air balloon camping festival so tickets sell out as soon as they go on sale. So, this is a balloon festival, you should not miss!
Hot Air Balloon Rides in Arizona
But what if you can’t make it to one of the hot air balloon festivals in Arizona? Don’t worry, you still have many opportunities to see balloons and go on a hot air balloon ride. Here are a few options around the state:
9. Red Rocks Balloons Sedona
For a Sedona sunrise experience, join Red Rocks Balloons Sedona. They fly every morning weather permitting. This once a day flight lasts appoximately 1.5 hours, cost $350 per person and includes a champagne toast.Reservations are required, so check the website for more details.
10. Arizona Balloon Safaris
Located in Phoenix, Arizona. Balloon Safaris flies over the Sonoran desert. This sunrise Champagne Breakfast is $365 per person and includes a sit down breakfast after your flight. Available certain days of the with advanced reservations required.
11. Rainbow Ryders
Also located in Phoenix, Rainbow Ryders offers both sunrise, sunset and private rides. Sunset rides are only available November to March, weather permitting. Other rides are offered all year long.Prices start at $125 for children and $275 for adults. You can book online or call for last minute availability.
In Summary
There are many opportunities to experience hot air balloon festivals in Arizona. Or even just go on a hot air balloon ride. So, have fun soaring the skies and enjoying the views from the ground or up above!
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