Hot Air Balloon Festivals in The Northeast
Northeast Hot Air Balloon Festivals: A Thrilling Skyborne Adventure
Hot air balloon festivals have a magical way of turning an ordinary day into something extraordinary. Their vibrant colors, serene ascensions, and gravity-defying beauty captivate visitors. In the Northeast United States, these festivals are especially popular due to the picturesque landscapes that make every flight breathtaking. From wide-open fields to idyllic mountain ranges, the Northeast offers a perfect backdrop for these airborne celebrations.
The Origins of Hot Air Balloon Festivals
Hot air ballooning is not just a whimsical activity—it’s deeply rooted in history and tradition, with festivals celebrating the art of balloon flight for decades.
Photo by Brett Sayles
The Rise of Festivals in the Northeast
The Northeast embraced ballooning festivals in the mid-20th century as a way to bring communities together and celebrate the region’s exquisite landscapes. Pioneers like Warren County’s festival organizers played an integral role by creating annual traditions that continue to attract thousands today.
Top Northeast Hot Air Balloon Festivals
With so many festivals to choose from, each brings its own charm and unique offerings. Below is a list of the currently scheduled Balloon Festivals in The Northeast United States.
Connecticut
Dates: August 28 – 29, 2026 *Check website for details
Location: Norton Park, Plainville, Connecticut
Every August, Norton Park gears up for The Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Festival; Connecticut’s premiere hot air balloon festival.
Between the breathtaking sunset hot air balloon displays against the gorgeous backdrop of Norton Park in Plainville, Connecticut, attendees are in for a weekend of captivating sights and family-friendly fun completely free of charge.
Maine
Dates: August 28-30, 2026
Location: Northern Maine Fair Association, Presque Isle, Maine
The Balloon Festival place at the Northern Maine Fair Association grounds. This festival offers quite a beautiful backdrop as colorful hot air balloons dazzle the skies against Maine’s stunning landscapes.
Sunrise launches and dazzling evening glows, and attendees can marvel at the magic of hot air ballooning.
Dates: Aug. 21–23rd, 2026
Location: 46 Beech St, Lewiston, Maine
This festival promises a weekend filled with wonder as hot air balloons of all shapes, colors and sizes soar over the picturesque Great Falls region.
Organizers have not yet announced the dates and ticket information, this long-awaited event is sure to be a highlight of the summer. Check back for updates on ticket availability.
Massachusetts
Air Balloon Glow & Laser Show
Dates: TBA
Location: Vietnam Veterans Park. Billerica, Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Dates: July 31 – August 2, 2026
Location: Drake Field, Pittsfield, New Hampshire
The Suncook Valley Rotary Hot Air Balloon Rally, Taking place at Drake Field in Pittsfield, promises a weekend jam-packed with excitement and wonder.
This beloved event allows attendees the unique opportunity to witness the breathtaking sight of colorful balloons ascending at sunrise and sunset.
Vermont
Dates: June 19 – June 21, 2026 (46th year)
Location: Village Green, Quechee, Vermont
Join us the weekend of June 19th-21nd, 2026 when the skies over the Upper Valley of Vermont and New Hampshire fill with hot air balloons during the longest running hot air balloon festival in New England.
This festival captivates visitors each year with its gorgeous display of bright, colorful balloons against the backdrop of Vermont’s lush greenery. Look forward to three days filled with wonder and excitement as balloons gracefully ascend into the sky.
With live music, delicious food, and a variety of family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone.
New York
Dates: Thursday, Sep 17, – Sunday, Sep 20, 2026
Location: Crandall Park. Glen Falls New York
Hot air balloonists from across the United States and around the world have gathered in the Lake George Area during fall for 52 years. Floating high above the majestic Adirondack Mountains is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that professional balloonists and amateur adventurers get to experience every single year. This stunning festival features a wide variety of hot air balloons. You’ll see the typical round and colorful balloons, as well as some balloons shaped in ways you would never expect. Come out and watch these vibrant balloons take to the sky in an array of colors and decorations.
Dates: June 5-7, 2026
Location: Cambridge New York
On Friday Night at Railroad Park we will hold our Block Party. Also on Friday evening at dusk will be a fantastic fireworks display at The Mansion Park on South Union Street. Saturday evening, our annual Moon Glow, a spectacular night time display of tethered hot air balloons that are lit from inside in time to music, will take place at the Cambridge Central School at dusk. Bring a chair or blanket, come for the launch, enjoy some food, shop at our craft booths and stay for the glow! Sunday brings an end to the official festival activities with a Pilots Breakfast at the American Legion on RT 22, Cambridge, NY. This is a great opportunity to meet the pilots.
Dates: September 4th – September 6st, 2026
Location: 249 Duncan Road Lagrangeville, New York
Five mass hot-air balloon ascensions totaling over 120 balloon flights scheduled during the weekend. Take a ride in a hot-air balloon: full-flight or tethered. Evening hot-air balloon illumination moon glows each night. Fireworks each night. The Silver Starlets. Live music. Drone Zone Obstacle Course. Bubble Zone. Live entertainment. Family and Children’s Zone of activities & games. Food trucks. Vendors. Morning Yoga. Hudson Valley Handmade Artisans. Designated picnic area (bring blankets & chairs). Beer & Wine Tent
Dates: TBA. See website for information
Location: Castel Grisch Winery Watkins Glen, New York
Pennsylvania
Dates: September 25 – September 26, 2026
Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Details on the Balloon Festival and Country Fair will be availible soon.
Dates: June 19th, 20th and 21th, 2026
Location: Ludwig’s Corner Horse Show Grounds. Chester Springs, Pennsylvania
Celebrate Father’s Day weekend with us at our 17th Annual Hot Air Balloon Festival! Join families and friends for three unforgettable days filled with colorful hot air balloons, delicious food from local food trucks, and exciting family-friendly games. Enjoy live music from a fantastic band while taking in the breathtaking views of the sky filled with vibrant balloons. Experience the thrill of tethered and untethered hot air balloon rides—an adventure you won’t want to miss!
The Lehigh Valley Balloon Fest
Dates: August 28-29, 2026
Location: 1000 Airport. Slatington, Pennsylvania
The Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Festival of Ballooning is the largest fall laser lit hot air balloon, music, and glow festival in North America and is a premiere family entertainment attraction in Pennsylvania. Eastern PA’s only live DJ laser light balloon glow fest! FRI/SAT night after sunset, Balloons are weather permitting. (Those with light, fog, or sound sensitivities should plan a visit during the daytime launches, or all-day SUNDAY for our Family Fun Day.
The York Balloon Glow & Laser Show
Dates: May 15-May 16, 2026
Location: York, Pennsylvania
Live Music for your entertainment from a variety of Artists. Craft & Retail Vendor Booths with tons of cool and interesting stuff for sale. Food Vendors with bunches of fantastic Festival Style food to choose from. Monster Show Kites performing in advance of the Hot Air Balloons! For the Grand Finale each night after dusk… about 9pm we will have the fantastic Hot Air Balloon Glow & Laser show where we will light up all the balloons in unison with crowd participatory “Count Downs”! This show incorporates Music and visually stunning coordinated burns by the Hot Air Balloons & Lasers.. creating a Glow!
New Jersey
