Michigan Fills the Skies with 13 Hot Air Balloon Festivals
in 2024
As the vibrant colors of dawn break through the horizon, there’s a magical sight that fills the skies of Michigan – hot air balloons gracefully ascending into the heavens. The year 2024 promises to be an exciting time for hot air balloon enthusiasts as Michigan hosts a series of exhilarating festivals that celebrate the beauty and wonder of these majestic airborne marvels. Let’s embark on a journey to discover the captivating hot air balloon festivals that await in the Great Lakes State.
Balloons Over Bavarian Inn & Frankenmuth Dog Bowl
May24th - May 27th, 2024
Frankenmuth River Place Shops, 925 South Main St D-2, Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Combining two beloved traditions, the Frankenmuth Dog Bowl & Balloons Over Bavaria festival offers a unique blend of canine agility competitions and hot air balloon adventures. Set against the charming backdrop of Frankenmuth’s Bavarian-style architecture, visitors can watch skilled dogs showcase their talents while colorful balloons take flight above. The festival also features balloon glows, a pet parade, live entertainment, and delicious German cuisine, making it a delightful weekend getaway for families and pet lovers.
May 31st- June 2nd, 2024
Carson City, MI 48811
The 2024 event will mark our 52nd year of the festival celebrating together. We are very proud to continue providing Frontier Days in Carson City. It is a great way to kick off the summer and showcase all the special things our small town has to offer.
Since its beginning, Carson City Frontier Days has celebrated with Country Western shows, rodeos, magic shows, canoe races, tractor pulls, carnival rides, parades, picnics, dances, hot air balloons, and pageants. Although the Frontier Days schedule has changed over the years, one thing remains—the festival is a time for friends, family, and neighbors to come together to celebrate the joys of living in a small town.
Hudsonville Balloon Days
June 14th - June 16th 2024
Unity Christian High School, 5900 48th Ave, Hudsonville, MI 49426
Get ready for an exciting day filled with hot-air balloon adventures! It’s the perfect way to spend the day and enjoy some family fun.
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest
June 28th - June 30th , 2024
Howell High School, 1200 W. Grand River Ave. Howell, MI, 48843
The Michigan Challenge Balloonfest in Howell is a premier event that draws balloonists and spectators across the region. Against the backdrop of Livingston County’s picturesque landscapes, colorful hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes fill the sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle. Visitors can enjoy balloon launches, evening glows, live music, delicious food vendors, and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend.
Field of Flight in Battle Creek Air Show & Balloon Festival
September 19th - September 22rd, 2024
W.K. Kellogg Airport, 2700 Territorial Rd, W Battle Creek, MI 49037
The Field of Flight Hot-Air Balloon Festival, held in Battle Creek, is a spectacular event that showcases a diverse range of balloons and talented pilots. Set against Michigan’s scenic beauty, this festival attracts aviation enthusiasts and families. The festival extends over several days, allowing ample time to witness the colorful balloons take to the skies. For 2024, attendees can look forward to nighttime activities such as illuminated balloon displays and special exhibits that promise to create unforgettable memories.
US Women's National Hot Air Balloon Championship
"She could so she DID"
July 15th - July 20th, 2024
Ella Sharp Park , 4th Street, Jackson, MI 49204
More than fifteen female pilots across the country will converge on Jackson to vie for the title of the 2024 National Champion and potentially secure a spot to represent Team USA in the 2025 Women’s World Hot Air Balloon Championships. Competitive ballooning tests pilots in distance, speed, and navigational precision. Each flight entails various competitive tasks, requiring pilots to skillfully utilize winds at different altitudes to guide their balloons to specific targets around Jackson. Pilots earn qualification for the National Championship by participating in yearly competitions. The top performers at the National Championship will then be able to compete in the upcoming 2025 Women’s World Championship.
The Women’s National Championships will feature competition flights spanning Jackson County, extending beyond the traditional footprint of the Hot Air Jubilee.
Hot Air Jubilee
July 19th - Jul 21st, 2024
Ella Sharp Park, 2800 4th Street. Jackson, MI 49204
In 1983, a group of Hot Air Balloon enthusiasts who lived in and around Jackson dreamed of a family-friendly event for the Jackson Community. The Hot Air Jubilee was born. Since then, the Jubilee has grown to be an event thousands attend every summer. Twenty-five to thirty Balloons come in from around the country to participate in the friendly rivalry of the contests.
Midland Area River Days Balloon Festival
August 1st - August 4th , 2024
Midland, MI 48640
Join us in Midland for a fantastic celebration of music, food, games, and the mesmerizing sight of hot air balloons soaring above! Having personally experienced the magic of this festival countless times, Chris and I can attest to its charm. Held alongside the Midland Area River Days Festival, the Midland Balloon Festival promises unforgettable moments, particularly during the breathtaking balloon launches—an absolute delight for photographers. Embracing community spirit, Midland River Days is a cherished event for us, ranking high among Michigan’s must-attend hot-air balloon festivals.
The Midland Area Community Foundation proudly organizes the Midland Area River Days Festival.
Kalamazoo Balloon Fest
August 16th - August 18th, 20241
Gull Meadow Farms, 8544 Gull Road, Richland MI 49083
The Kalamazoo Balloon Fest will take to the skies over Gull Meadow Farms and feature fall family fun for EVERYONE! We have much to offer you, being Michigan’s LARGEST Fall Balloon Fest. Balloons will take to the skies daily; as the sun goes down, we’ll heat things up with our BALLOON GLOWS (Friday & Saturday). The Best Part? Admission to the Balloon Fest is entirely FREE.
Metamora Country Days & Hot Air Balloon Festival
August 23rd - August 24th, 2024
Metamora Rd, Metamora MI
This premier event continues to be Metamora Country Days and Hot Air Balloon Festival.® This popular family-friendly celebration draws thousands of visitors to our community every August. Revelers enjoy local food, music, art, a parade, crafts, and activities, and the launching of over 20 hot air balloons on Friday and Saturday nights, capped off with an extraordinary fireworks display on Saturday night.
Balloons Over Bellaire-Shanty Creek Resort
August 23rd - August 25th, 2024
Shanty Creek Resort, 5780 Shanty Creek Rd. Bellaire, MI 49615
Don’t forget your camera for this special two-day event as we welcome back 15+ hot air balloonists to Shanty Creek and Bellaire atop the slopes of Summit Mountain. Located behind the Lakeview Hotel from 6-8 pm on Friday and Saturday evenings, teams of balloonists take flight while the sky above Lake Bellaire comes alive with color.
Wayland Hot Air Balloon Fest
September 6th - September 7th, 2023
Calkins Field,3755 S. Division, Wayland, MI
This exciting two-day event will include a Kids’ Carnival, Car Show, Vendor Event, Live Music, Balloon Flights, and a Balloon Glow! We will also have Food Trucks and a meet-and-greet with the pilots!
Balloons Over Bay Harbor
September 20th -September 22nd, 2024
Bay Harbor Village, 4000 Main St. Bay Harbor, MI 49770
The Balloons Over Bay Harbor event is in the Village at Bay Harbor, attracting thousands of onlookers as 14 balloons took to Little Traverse Bay’s skies. This unique event started in 2019 and remains the only shoreline balloon festival in the state. Contending with multiple weather issues, including dense fog, challenging wind direction, and pop-up thunderstorms, the pilots could still launch multiple media, sponsor, and passenger flights, soaring over Petoskey, Little Traverse Bay, and Harbor Springs. Flights took off Friday and Saturday morning from the Click Road soccer fields south of Petoskey, climbing high and low above the Little Traverse Bay area.
Hot air balloon festivals in Michigan are a delightful blend of thrill, beauty, and community spirit. If you haven’t experienced the joy of attending one of these festivals, add it to your list for 2024. The sense of wonder as colorful balloons dot the sky is unmatched, making it a must-see event. So, mark your calendars, gather your loved ones, and get ready to make unforgettable memories at the upcoming festivals in 2024. The anticipation is rising, the excitement is palpable – don’t miss out on the magic of hot air balloon festivals in Michigan.
Looking for hot air balloon festivals happening in your state in 2024? Check out our guide to find exciting events near you. Get ready to soar high and experience the thrill of these colorful celebrations in the sky. visit https://hotairballoonfestivals.net
