Hot Air Balloon Festivals in Utah (2024)

FAQs

Where is the most famous hot air balloon festival? ›

1. International Balloon Fiesta | Albuquerque, NM. This is the largest and longest-running balloon festival in the country, drawing over 900,000 visitors and 600 pilots from seven countries over a nine-day period.

Flying high above the Appalachian Mountains had began as a hobby soon turned into a passion. 'Chattanooga Balloon Company' was born; the original pursuit that started it all. We have since changed our name to Bigfoot Balloons and relocated to Park City, UT to offer scenic hot air balloon rides in Utah.

Each morning on July 4th, 5th, and 6th, from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM, you can witness around 25 of these enchanting giants take to the skies.

Saturday, September 23 - Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport

7:00am (approximately) - Flight of up to 70+ balloons, including some special shapes. Food vendors, Zonta craft fair, exhibitors, kid's activities, and more.

However, there's one place that's known as the hot air ballooning capital of the world and it's right here in the United States: Albuquerque, New Mexico. So, why is Albuquerque known as the hot-air-ballooning capital of the world?

Being FAA certified, hot air balloons are very expensive to own and operate. With the cost of: crew, chase trucks, aircraft maintenance and commercial insurance, balloonists strive to keep the cost to the passenger as low as possible. Back in 1786 it cost the U.S equivalent of $45,000 per passenger!

Most modern hot air balloons don't carry parachutes due to their high safety standards. Qualified pilots must run a series of safety checks before every flight. Part of those checks is inspecting the condition of the balloon, burners, and basket.

Are hot air balloon rides worth it? The answer is that it depends on you! If you love adventure and aren't afraid of heights, then a hot air balloon ride is something you should try at least once in your lifetime. But if you're not a morning person or have trouble walking, you might want to consider another activity.

One thing people often overlook when going on hot air balloon rides – there are no toilets on board. Considering you'll be in the air for a couple of hours, always make sure you use the bathroom before take-off. Once again, the best hot air balloon rides are the ones when you're fully relaxed.

How long do hot air balloons last? ›

How long is the balloon life ? With an appropriate and regular care, the envelope can last between 5 and 20 years, or approximately 500 hours of effective flight. The burner and the basket can last longer when well cared.

The short answer is: yes, far more often than not. Accidents are increasingly rare, but they do happen. Data from 2022 provided by the National Transportation Safety Board shows 775 hot air balloon accidents on record in the United States since 1964, total. Only 70 involved fatalities.

From a small gathering of 13 balloons in 1972, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has grown to become the largest balloon event in the world. Held each year during the first week in October, the Balloon Fiesta now features about 600 balloons and 700 pilots.

Essential Information: Dates, Location, and Admission

Admission is free for all visitors to enjoy the Adirondack Balloon Festival. Remember that this popular event attracts thousands of people, so be prepared for traffic congestion during peak times, from 5:00am-9:00am and 3:00pm-8:00pm.

Even the most stunning Instagrams fail to capture the true beauty of Cappadocia. It is a landscape like no other in the world. Because of its surreal, otherworldly features, it is one of the most popular destinations in the world for hot air ballooning.

Hot air ballooning in Cappadocia is so popular that roughly 500,000 people took to the sky to float over the city's landscape last year. On any given day, you'll share the sky with over 100 balloons, and while that might seem like a lot, it's all part of the ethereal experience.

Grand Adventure Balloon Tours in Fraser is flying high after USA Today named the company the best hot air balloon ride in the country. On June 5, readers voted Grand Adventure Balloon as their favorite in USA Today's Reader's Choice 10 Best list.

Held annually in October, New Mexico's Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is the world's largest hot air balloon event. Since 1972, balloonists and enthusiasts have gathered in Balloon Fiesta Park to take in the world-renowned nine-day festival.