It’s worth getting up early on the mornings of Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 11 to 13, 2025, for the colorful hot air balloon launch that highlights the annual Erie Hot Air Balloon Festival. The balloons take off at at 6 a.m. each morning (weather permitting) in the open field across from Erie High School, on the northwest corner of County Road 5 and Colliers Parkway.
Source: Depositphotos
Drop by each morning from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and watch the balloon inflate and take flight, weather permitting.
Arrival for morning mass ascensions are recommended at 5:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.
The Night Glow is on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the same field as the morning launch. Be there by 6:30 p.m. to watch the balloons lit up after sunset.
There will be several breakfast and coffee food trucks available for the mass ascensions, and numerous dinner and dessert trucks on site for the Balloon Glow.
FREE parking is available at the Erie High School or Soaring Heights Elementary School, which is directly across from the launch field for Mass Ascension and Night Glow.
Remember: No pets allowed.
Soaring Heights Middle School in Erie