July 10-12, 2026 Erie Balloon Festival: At a Glance
| The Scoop | The Details |
| Dates | July 10 – July 12, 2026 |
| Location | Weld County Road 5 & Colliers Pkwy (just west of Erie High School) |
| Main Event | Morning Mass Ascension: Watch balloons inflate at 6am, take off, and fly away! Catch 'em early 'cause they won't be coming back! Saturday Night Balloon Glow: Balloons inflate at 8pm and stay on the field, lighting up the dark sky with their spectacular light show. |
| Start Time | Morning Mass Ascension: Field opens at 5:00am, balloons flying by 7am. Saturday Night Balloon Glow: Field opens at 5:00pm, glow begins around 8pm. |
| Admission | 100% FREE! Bring the whole family! |
| Parking | FREE Parking at Erie High School & Soaring Heights K-8 lots. FREE Erie Bee Shuttle. |
| Pet Policy | No Pets Allowed on the launch field please! (Safety first for both the balloons and your pups!) |
| Mother Nature | All flights are weather permitting (Wind/Rain dependent) Keep a close eye on our Facebook and Instagram posts for real-time festival updates. |
Erie Bee Free Shuttle
July 10-12, Morning Launch Schedule: 5:30am-9:30am
Pick up: Highlands Elementary School
Drop off: Erie High School Loop
Saturday Glow Schedule: 5:00pm-10:30pm
Pick up: Erie Community Center and Highlands Elementary
Drop off: Erie High School Loop
Colorado's Most Colorful Weekend
Join us for a magical weekend in Erie, on July 10-12, 2026, as the skies fill with dozens of magnificent hot air balloons. Presented by the Erie Chamber of Commerce, the Erie Balloon Festival is a spectacular celebration of flight, family fun, and community. Experience the awe of the morning mass ascension, the beauty of the evening balloon glow, and a weekend packed with food, music, and memories.
Experience the Mass Ascension as pilots fire their burners and rise against the Colorado sunrise. A truly unforgettable sight. (Daily at 6:00 AM, weather permitting. Most balloons will be flying by 7:00am.)
Don't miss the spectacular Saturday Night Glow! Balloons inflate and light up the night like giant, colorful lanterns. (Saturday at 8:00 PM)
Enjoy our walk-through balloons, tether rides, and delicious food from regional food trucks, all weekend long.
New Special Shape Balloons for 2026
This year’s Erie Balloon Festival is going BIG, and also tall, wide, wiggly, and wonderfully weird! Our fleet of special-shape balloons is floating in with characters, creatures, and colossal creations that will have you pointing up with a grin you can’t control. From giant animals to whimsical wonders, these sky-high stars are more than balloons, they’re experiences.
Bring your camera, bring your kids, bring your inner child, because when these shapes rise, so will your excitement!
Mornings: Starting at 6am
Glow Night: Starting at 5pm
Take Flight: Tethered Balloon Rides
Ready for a truly unforgettable perspective? Step into the basket for our signature tethered balloon experience!
Gaze down upon the patchwork of surrounding farmland, watch the festival bustle beneath you, and turn your eyes toward the spectacular backdrop of the Rocky Mountains stretching across the horizon.
This is the perfect, gentle introduction to the magic of flight for all ages!
Important Details:
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Duration: Enjoy this serene journey for several magical minutes.
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Payment: $20 per person. Cash only, please!
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Availability: Rides are first-come, first-served. Arrive early to guarantee your spot and rise up!
- Tether rides are weather permitting.
Don't just watch the horizon—ascend into it! We'll see you in the sky!
Be Part of the Magic
This beloved community event is made possible by people like you. Find out how you can join the fun as a volunteer, vendor, or sponsor.
