Erie Hot Air Balloon Festival Makes For A Magical Morning + Night Glow Saturday Night

It’s worth getting up early on the mornings of Friday, Saturday & Sunday, July 10 to 12, 2026, 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.

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.

Special Shape Balloons

This year’s Erie Balloon Festival is going BIG, and also tall, wide, wiggly, and wonderfully weird!

A 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.

Night Glow

The Night Glow is on Saturday at 8 p.m. and will be held in the same field as the morning launch. Get there early to watch the balloons being 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.

Paramotor Show

Before every single session of the 2026 festival, enjoy a high-octane Aerial Paramotor Show.

Watch in awe as these “powered paragliders” dance through the air, performing precision maneuvers and acrobatic flyovers right above the crowd.

Parking & Map

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.

Looking For More Fun Things To Do?

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