One of the more unusual gifts I gave my dad for Father’s Day was a hot air balloon ride when I was in high school. We went up together, and I still remember how different everything looked from the basket. Roads became thin lines, familiar landmarks were suddenly tiny, and the landscape seemed to stretch forever.
It’s an experience I’ve never forgotten, and one I’d recommend trying at least once if you have the opportunity.
So I’m happy to see hot air ballooning getting some renewed attention in Stowe, Vermont. In 2026, the Stowe Balloon Festival celebrated its second year as a revived community event, bringing colorful balloons back to the mountains along with live music and activities for families.
You don’t have to book a flight to enjoy it, either. Watching a field full of balloons inflate and lift off is entertaining in its own right.
The Return of the Stowe Balloon Festival
Stowe has a long history of hosting hot air balloon events, but the current Stowe Balloon Festival is a newer community-focused celebration. The 2026 event marked its second year under the revived format, organized by Mountain View Vacations and community partners.
The festival took place June 26-28, 2026, moving to Mayo Field in the center of Stowe. The larger, more central setting allowed organizers to expand the event with additional balloons, vendors and entertainment.
Approximately ten balloons were expected, with five scheduled launches throughout the weekend. The program also included a Saturday evening balloon glow, when illuminated balloons create a colorful display against the darkening sky.
The organizers committed to donating festival profits to local charities, including support for Stowe Youth Hockey.
Watching the Balloons Take Flight
The balloons are the main attraction, and I think the inflation process is almost as interesting as watching them fly.
Seeing an enormous envelope spread across the ground before slowly filling with hot air gives you an appreciation for the scale of these aircraft. Then the basket lifts off, sometimes so gradually that you barely notice the moment it leaves the ground.
For 2026, launches were scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday morning and evening, and Sunday morning and evening. Morning flights were targeted for approximately 5:30 a.m., with evening flights around 6 p.m.
Those early hours aren’t arbitrary. Balloon pilots depend on calm winds and suitable weather, which are generally more favorable around sunrise and sunset.
And unlike most festivals, where a scheduled performance happens at a specific time, balloon launches are never guaranteed. Wind conditions can cancel or delay flights, even when the weather looks beautiful from the ground.
I’d keep that in mind before purchasing tickets solely to see the balloons fly.
Want to Ride in a Hot Air Balloon?
The Stowe Balloon Festival offered two different ways to get off the ground in 2026: traditional hot air balloon flights and shorter tethered rides.
Full Hot Air Balloon Rides
A traditional balloon ride takes you up and away from the festival grounds, floating over the surrounding landscape with the wind determining your direction.
In 2026, these rides cost $395 per person, plus tax, with flights typically lasting 45 minutes to an hour. A 50% deposit was required to reserve a spot.
That’s a substantial investment, but having experienced a hot air balloon ride myself, I understand the appeal. There’s no engine propelling you forward, and the sensation of floating above the countryside is completely different from flying in an airplane.
It’s also a pretty wonderful Father’s Day gift, speaking from experience!
Balloon baskets generally accommodate two to five passengers, depending on the aircraft and passenger weights. Reservations were required in advance, with limited availability.
Tethered Balloon Rides
If you’re not ready to commit to a full flight, tethered rides offer a shorter and less expensive introduction.
The balloon remains secured to the ground with ropes, ascending for several minutes before descending to the same location.
At the 2026 Stowe Balloon Festival, tethered rides cost $35 per person, with tickets sold on-site as availability and weather permitted.
It’s a good option for families who want to try ballooning without spending hundreds of dollars per person.
I’d check age, height and accessibility requirements with the organizers before purchasing, particularly if you’re bringing younger children.
More Than Balloons: A Family-Friendly Vermont Festival
The 2026 festival offered three days of activities beyond the balloon launches.
Live music was scheduled throughout the weekend, with regional performers including Cooie’s Trio, Soulshine Revival and the Shane Murley Band.
There were also food vendors, local artisans and a vendor village where visitors could browse Vermont-made products.
For families, the schedule included magic shows, animal encounters with Curious Creatures, walkabout balloon demonstrations and other children’s entertainment.
I appreciate that the organizers planned activities beyond the balloon launches. With weather playing such a significant role in whether balloons can fly, having other things to do makes the admission price easier to justify.
The festival also offered a Saturday evening balloon glow, which is worth considering if you want to photograph illuminated balloons without booking a flight.
The festival was held rain or shine, but balloon activities depended on safe weather conditions. General admission was nonrefundable if balloons couldn’t launch. Full-flight tickets were refundable when weather prevented the flight, while tethered ride tickets were nonrefundable.
Parking: The 2026 event moved to Mayo Field in central Stowe. I’d check the official festival website for designated parking and arrival instructions rather than assuming you can park directly beside the field.
For future dates and ticket announcements, visit the Stowe Balloon Festival website Local favorite: Stowe Balloon Festival website.
Another Vermont Balloon Festival: Quechee
Stowe isn’t Vermont’s only hot air balloon festival.
The Quechee Balloon Festival in Quechee, near Woodstock, has been a Father’s Day weekend tradition for more than 45 years.
The 2026 festival took place June 19–21 on the Quechee Village Green, featuring morning and evening balloon launches, tethered rides, live music and family entertainment.
Quechee also offers full balloon flights, although tickets tend to sell out well in advance. In 2026, full rides were priced at $425 per person plus tax, while tethered rides cost $30.
Unlike Stowe’s single-day ticket options, Quechee sold weekend admission passes, giving visitors multiple opportunities to catch a weather-dependent launch.
I’d consider Quechee if you’re exploring the Woodstock or Upper Valley area, while Stowe is convenient for visitors spending time in northern Vermont.
Is the Stowe Balloon Festival Worth Attending?
I’d love to see the Stowe Balloon Festival continue growing as a community tradition. The mountain setting makes for a beautiful backdrop, and the combination of balloon flights and family activities offers more than simply watching balloons take off.
My hot air balloon ride with my dad was decades ago, but I still remember looking down at the landscape from that basket. It’s an unusual way to appreciate the world around you, and I hope more people have the opportunity to experience it.
Even if you stay firmly on the ground, watching those enormous balloons rise over Stowe is a pretty good way to spend a summer afternoon.
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