St. Louis to return with hot-air balloon festival

  • 2026-08-22
The Great Forest Park Balloon Race will return to St. Louis in September, continuing a community celebration that dates to 1973.

Friday’s program will center on the Balloon Glow, when over 50 hot air balloons will be inflated and secured across a field rather than launched. If weather conditions allow it, organizers will open portions of the field so visitors can get closer to the balloons and meet participating crews.

The Great Forest Balloon Race competition will follow on Saturday with a format involving a lead balloon and dozens of challengers. The first hot air balloon will depart ahead of the others and establish a landing point. Once it touches down, its crew will place a ground target. The pilots that follow will attempt to drop small, weighted markers as close to that target as possible. The most accurate placement will determine the winner.

Weather and wind will ultimately determine the balloons’ routes, meaning that landing sites may appear throughout the greater St. Louis and neighboring communities.

Community event organizers often use poster printing to publicize schedules, activities, and visitor information ahead of large festivals such as this one. Food, music, and additional entertainment will be available throughout the weekend. Admission is free.

The dates of the festival will be Friday, September 18, from 5 pm to 9:15 pm and Saturday, September 19, starting at 1 pm. The location will be Forest Park, Emerson Central Fields, 5265 Wells Dr in St. Louis, Missouri.