Hot air balloon festivals take place at several towns in Colorado. Ranging from big to small, these colorful shows of creative balloon design provide an opportunity to enjoy a modern-day version of an olden-day mode of transportation.
Held at Colorado Springs’ Memorial Park each Labor Day weekend and billed as Colorado’s biggest air show, the Colorado Balloon Classic is complete with concessions, concerts and other forms of entertainment, such as parachute and paraglide demonstrations. Admission is free, but your pets are not allowed on the launch field. Colorado Balloon Classic was first organized in 1977 and is the oldest continuously operated balloon festival in the Rocky Mountain region.
Colorado Balloon Classic
Memorial Park
1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
719-471-4833
balloonclassic.com
The Telluride Balloon Rally is held each year the first weekend of June. Located at Town Park, events include a morning launch at the park and an evening glow inflate on Main Street on Saturday and a morning launch on Sunday. Balloon rides are not sold to the public, but if you volunteer to be local crew, you might get a ride.
Telluride Balloon Rally
Town Park
500 E. Colorado Ave.
Telluride, CO 81435
970-708-2202
tellurideballoonfestival.com
Held in conjunction with the Art in the Park festival, the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo happens the second weekend of July. The launch field is at Bald Eagle Lake. Dogs are not allowed at the balloon launch field. Art in the Park is at West Lincoln Park. There is no public parking at the Hot Air Balloon Rodeo, but complimentary shuttle service is provided by hotels and also from Meadows Parking Lot on Pine Grove Road. Vendors sell souvenirs and breakfast at the launch field. The annual Mountain Madness Half Marathon and 10K takes place on Sunday.
Steamboat Springs Hot Air Balloon Rodeo
Bald Eagle Lake
35565 S. Highway 40
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487
970-875-7006
steamboat-chamber.com
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Buena Vista, Balloona Vista takes place in late July. A three-day event, the balloons launch at sunrise on each day and a Saturday evening glow event features food and vendors. The Collegiate Peaks Music Festival in Buena Vista, held the same weekend, provides entertainment.
Balloona Vista
Buena Vista Rodeo Grounds
Gregg Drive and County Road 321
Buena Vista, CO 81211
719-395-6612
hotairballoon.com/Balloona-Vista
The Snowmass Balloon Festival is held each year in mid-September at the village of Snowmass. It is a three-day event, and admission is free. The Snowmass Wine Festival, located downtown, is held in conjunction with the Snowmass Balloon Festival at the Snowmass Village softball field. Entertainment at the Balloon Festival includes barbecue, glow events and a distance race.
Snowmass Balloon Festival
Snowmass Softball Field
Brush Creek Road
Snowmass, CO 81654
970-922-2285
snowmassballoon.com
