A Unique Taste of Hot Air Balloon Festivals in Wisconsin (2024)
Seeing so many hot air balloons fly through the air all at once is what balloon festivals in Wisconsin are all about.
The Beauty. The Peace.
It is even better if these festivals are located in a charming small town that offers lots of events and fun throughout the day!
What is a Hot Air Balloon Festival?
It is a vibrant celebration where the sky transforms into something beautiful as hot air balloon ascension takes place. This means several hot air balloons take off and fly through the air together.
These festivals offer more than just the start-up of a hot air balloon flight; the day(s) are filled with activities, live entertainment, local vendors, events in a kids area, and more that make balloon festivals the place to be.
Balloon festivals serve as platforms for balloonists and enthusiasts to come together, sharing their passion for aviation and ballooning while inviting guests to experience the magic of flight firsthand.
Above all, these events give the essence of community, bringing people of all ages and backgrounds together to see these colorful, floating giants soaring in the sky.
Balloon Festivals in Wisconsin
Waterford Balloonfest – Waterford Hot Air Balloon Festival
Town: Waterford, Wisconsin | Population 5,612 | Located: Southeast Wisconsin
Located at the Waterford town park you’ll see several balloons participating in their annual hot air balloon festival.
Not only do balloons fly high through the balloon festival, but Waterford also offers fun activities such as food vendors, craft fairs, drone races, a beer garden, balloon night glows, and live music for both kids and adults!
Other kids activities:
- Helicopter rides
- Knockerball
- Bounce house
- Outdoor movie
- and more! It is fun for the whole family to enjoy all the balloon events!
Burger fest
Town: Seymour, Wisconsin | Population: 3,000 | Located: Eastern Wisconsin (Located 15 miles from Green Bay)
The year was 1885 when a 15-year-old boy would create something awesome out of his mother’s meatballs that the town of Seymour would be celebrating still today. That something awesome is known as the hamburger. 🍔 Today, they celebrate this invention with the annual event, the Burgerfest.
This three day event is an annual event that draws people from around the world to join in on the fun!
The Burgerfest activities:
- Hot air balloons
- Evening balloon glows
- Car show
- Live music
- burger eating contest
- Themed parade (2023 was farm fresh burgers)
- Giant ketchup slide
Burgerfest is an awesome event that focuses on family fun throughout the festival! Find the latest information on the Burgerfest here.
Monroe Balloon & Blues Festival
Town: Monroe, Wisconsin | Population: 10,537 | Located: Southern Wisconsin
Monroe offers an unforgettable event of two festivals in one! Balloons and a Blues Festival! It is located at the Green County Fairgrounds in Monroe.
Activities during this three-day Monroe Balloon Rally :
- Car show
- Hot air balloon launch in the mornings
- Balloon night glow
- Blues bands on stage
Find the latest information on the Monroe Balloon and Blues Festival here.
Hudson Hot Air Affair
Town: Hudson, Wisconsin | Population: 15,000 | Located: Eastern Wisconsin
Hudson is a little bigger but it’s unique as this balloon festival is in the middle of winter! The next balloon festival is in February 2024. This year’s theme is “Rockin’ with the Coldies.”
For this balloonfest, you will need to bundle up because you’ll be outdoors often!
There are so many activities going on throughout the three days, but some of the activities include:
- Hot-air balloons
- Craft vendors
- Delicious food throughout Hudson
- family-friendly events
Find the latest information on the Hudson Hot Air Affair here.
As the balloons gracefully ascend, painting the sky with an array of colors.
The charm of these festivals serves as an invitation to celebrate life’s simple joys, and to cherish the beauty that surrounds us in open spaces in Wisconsin.
So, whether you’re a seasoned balloon enthusiast or a first-time visitor, Wisconsin’s balloon festivals promise an unforgettable journey through the skies and a vibrant tapestry of experiences that will leave you inspired, awestruck, and longing for the next opportunity to witness the magic of hot air balloons taking flight.