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2024 Michigan Hot Air Balloon Festivals - 13 Must-See Awesome Shows This Summer!
Article: 2024 Michigan Hot Air Balloon Festivals - 13 Must-See Awesome Shows This Summer!
This summer, keep your eyes glued to the skies as exciting Michigan balloon festivals take flight all across the state! Get ready for breathtaking displays of vibrant colors, as majestic balloons paint a picturesque canvas against the backdrop of Michigan's stunning landscapes. Whether it's your first time or you've seen hot air balloon shows a million time, it's always a jaw dropping experience!
Expert Tip: All balloon launches are weather permitting and the times are subject to change based on the weather. Be sure to check your intended Michigan Balloon Festival webpage prior to attending for any updates, cancelations or information.
Michigan Hot Air Balloon Festivals and Shows Map!
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Where are the hot air balloon festivals in Michigan? Hot air balloon festivals are located in Northern Michigan, Mid Michigan, Southeast Michigan and Southwest Michigan in towns such as Howell, Midland, Battle Creek, Grand Rapids region, Petoskey and Frankenmuth. Keep reading for more balloon festivals near you!
Check Out Our Fun Michigan Hot Air Balloon Festivals Video!
1. Michigan Challenge Balloonfest (Howell Balloon Fest 2024) Southeast Michigan
When: The 39th Annual Michigan Challenge Balloonfest is on June 28-30, 2024
Where: Howell High School, 1200 W Grand River Rd.
Howell Balloon Fest 2024 is an outstanding summertime activity in Michigan, offering entertainment and fun things to do for the entire family! This community event has activities such as carnival rides, kid attractions, fireworks, and super popular balloon launches, fly-ins, and evening glow. Lots of events, entertainment and attractions are planned this year! One of the best hot air balloon shows in Michigan.
The Saturday night balloon glow is a must-see attraction at the Michigan Challenge.
The Howell Area Chamber of Commerce thanks the event sponsors, committee members, and community partners for their support.
2. 2024 Field of Flight in Battle Creek, MI - Air Show & Balloon Festival (Balloon Festival Battle Creek) Southwest Michigan
When: Field of Flight in Battle Creek, MI - Air Show & Balloon Festival is July 3 - July 7, 2024
Where: Battle Creek Executive Airport, 15551 S Airport Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49037
Expert Tip #1: Bring a sun umbrella, it can be VERY hot. Ours can be placed into the ground and truly saved the day as we can't tolerate standing in intense heat for hours.
Expert Tip #2: Bring chairs, water, sunscreen. Get there early if you want to be close to the fence line to see all the action.
One of our favorite Michigan Hot Air Balloon Festivals as we have attended it several times! Enjoy air shows, hot air balloons, wall of fire, night air show with pyro, fireworks, carnival, field of rock, kids day, vendors, food and drink.
Check out our Battle Creek Field of Flight page with details! This is an incredible hot air balloon festival in Michigan 2024. Tickets go on sale in May
3. Wayland Balloon Fest - Grand Rapids | West Michigan
When: September 6-7, 2024
Where: Wayland Balloonfest is held at Calkins Field in Wayland. 3755 S Division, Wayland, MI
This exciting two-day event will consist of a Kids Carnival, Car Show, Donut Eating Contest, Vendor Event, Live Music, Balloon Flights and a Balloon Glow when it starts to get dark. Enjoy food trucks and a special meet and greet with the balloon pilots!
NEW! There will also be a Memorial Walk which is new to the Wayland Hot Air Balloonfest. The purpose of this walk is to remember those we have lost.
4. Hudsonville Balloon Days (Hudsonville Balloon Festival 2024) | Grand Rapids | West Michigan
When: Mid-June 2024
Where: Unity Christian High School
So many fun things to do at Hudsonville Balloon Days! Kites, Pilot Meet & Greet, entertainment, food trucks, vendors, balloon glow, remote control balloons and more!
Hudsonville Balloon Days is FREE to the public! Parking is $10 at Unity Christian High School
- Make plans to attend this Grand Rapids Balloon Festival 2024!
5. Kalamazoo Balloon Fest 2024 | Southwest Michigan - See Breathtaking Hot Air Balloons This August!
When: 11th Annual Kalamazoo Balloon Fest is August 16-18, 2024
Where: Gull Meadow Farms
Keep your eyes to the sky to see breathtaking balloons float across the skies. Gull Meadow Farms will be offering a discounted admission of $7/person if you choose to enjoy activities while at the farm (purchased in person).
No pets, $5 parking. Check the Kalamazoo Balloon Festival's Facebook page for all updates and list of events.
Food trucks will be there at 5:00 pm on both Friday and Saturday evening.
- Be sure to mark your calendars for the Kalamazoo Hot Air Balloon Festival 2024 this summer!
6. Balloons Over Bay Harbor - Petoskey Hot Air Balloon Festival - Northern Michigan - Hosts Incredible Pilots From Across the Nation
When: September 2024 tbd
Where: Bay Harbor Village, 4000 Main St, Bay Harbor, MI 49770, USA
The 5th Annual Balloons Over Bay Harbor: Each year, Bay Harbor Village hosts incredible pilots from across the nation who actively compete in national festivals across the country. Check their website for the schedule of flight activities throughout the weekend. One of the finest Michigan Hot Air Balloon Festivals!
There will be “night glows” where the balloons will light up while grounded on both Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 8 pm. This is a lovely hot air balloon festival in Petoskey.
7. 43rd Annual Metamora Country Days and Hot Air Balloon Festival - Southeast Michigan (North of Detroit) 2024
When: August 23 and 24, 2024
Where: Metamora MI Hot Air Balloon Festival is held at 3758-3980 N Oak St, Metamora, MI 48455 (East of Flint and Grand Blanc, north of Detroit)
This popular family-friendly celebration draws thousands of visitors to indulge in local food, music, art, parade, crafts and activities! Tons of entertainment for adults and kids! Over 20 hot air balloons will launch both Friday and Saturday nights. Oh, and be sure to see the extraordinary fireworks display on Saturday night.
8. 2024 Midland Balloon Festival During Midland Area River Days Festival - Mid Michigan
When: August 1-4, 2024
Where: Downtown Midland, near the Tridge - Mid Michigan
Come on out to Midland for music, food, games and hot air balloons! Chris and I have personally attended this festival many times and we love it. Midland Balloon Festival is held during the Midland Area River Days Festival. We love being there during the balloon launches, it's a photographers paradise! Midland River Days is a great community event. It's one of our favorite Michigan Hot Air Balloon Festivals!
Expert Tip: The Balloon launches are subject to weather. Sometimes they can be postponed for a couple hours so be prepared.
The Midland Area River Days Festival is a project of the Midland Area Community Foundation
What's fun: Wander downtown and watch the balloons float over Main Street!
9. Jackson Hot Air Jubilee - Jackson Michigan - South Michigan
When: Hot Air Jubilee – July 19, 20, 21, 2024
Where: Ella Sharp Park, Jackson, Michigan
US Women's National Hot Air Balloon Championship is happening during the Hot Air Jubilee.
Hot Air Jubilee is offering public helicopter rides for two days this year during their annual event! Enjoy Hot Rods and Hot Air Car Show, monster trucks, model T rides, steam engine demonstrations and more!
Daily entertainment, so come on out!
- Live Entertainment!
- Helicopter Rides
- Food Vendors
- Sponsor Tents
- Official Jubilee Merchandise
- Live Music
- Evening Launches at Ella Sharp Park
- Dusk – Balloon Night Glow
10. Frankenmuth Hot Air Balloon Festival - Mid Michigan
When: Balloons Over Bavarian Inn - May 24 – 27, 2024
Where are the balloons in Frankenmuth? Over Bavarian Inn and at River Place Shops, 925 S. Main St., Frankenmuth, Michigan
Parking is free and located around the German-styled shopping complex and along Weiss Street. Free event! It's one of our favorite Michigan Hot Air Balloon Festivals!
Balloons Over Bavarian Inn - Enjoy jaw dropping morning and evening flights of approximately 25 hot air balloons over Frankenmuth during Balloons Over Bavarian Inn! Nightly balloon glows take place during Frankenmuth Dog Bowl in the grassy field near River Place Shops. So much fun during Michigan's summer months!
11. 2024 Balloons Over Bellaire at Shanty Creek! Schedule - Northern Michigan
When: August 23 and August 24, 2024, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: Shanty Creek, 5780 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire, MI 49615
Bring your camera for this incredible two-day event! See 15+ hot air balloons at Shanty Creek and Bellaire atop the slopes of Summit Mountain. Located behind the Lakeview Hotel from 6-8pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, teams of balloonists take flight!
Friday Schedule (be sure to check their website to verify prior to travel)
- 6:30 pm -8:00 pm: Balloon launches from the alpine tubing hill behind The Lakeview Hotel.
Saturday Schedule (be sure to check their website to verify prior to travel)
- 7:30 am – Balloon flight over Torch Lake
- 6:30 pm – 8:00 – Balloon launches from the tubing hill behind The Lakeview Hotel.
Note: This event is weather dependent. FREE to attend. Parking is free. This is exclusively a spectator event, no balloon rides will be given.
12. 2024 Nashville Michigan Hot Air Balloon Festival
When: Nashville Michigan Hot Air Balloon Festival – 2024 is tbd. 2023 was postponed as organizers were looking for a new venue. Hopefully it will happen this year.
Where: Nashville, Michigan but location may change.
13. 2024 Marks the 52nd Annual Carson City Frontier Days: Hot Air Balloon Flights and Night Balloon Glow!
When: May 31 - June 2, 2024
Where: West Park (Fort Frontier)
Come on out for the 18th annual Hot Air Balloon Shootout during Carson City Frontier Days! It looks like so much fun!
Carson City Frontier Days are hosting several hot air balloon pilots. Each evening during this Michigan hot air balloon festival, balloon flights will launch from West Park (Fort Frontier). You can watch the spectacular balloons rise and float across the skies from either side of Fish Creek. There will also be a craft show, parade and community picnic!
The morning flights will be held in the early hours on Saturday and Sunday.
This June, bring your lawn chairs or blankets and head to the park in the evenings or mornings to enjoy the view of the beautiful balloons as they take flight.
You will also want to see the "Light Up The Night Balloon Glow" on Friday and Saturday nights during the festival at West Park (Fort Frontier) at dusk. This occurs after the balloons and pilots return from their evening flights to inflate their balloons using their burners to illuminate each balloon's spectacular colors. It's a must-see Michigan summer event!
Greater Lansing Balloon Festival
Cancelled - no new dates.
Michigan Hot Air Balloon Rides!
If you love Hot Air Balloon Festivals, you will LOVE these spots in Michigan to go on a hot air balloon ride!
Author: Sherry Trautman
Author | Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander...read more about Sherry Trautman
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