Take in Fall Color from the Air at These Hot Air Balloon Festivals

By Southern Living Editors October 13, 2021
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For the best vantages, take to the skies. That's the philosophy of the South's favorite hot air balloon festivals, which invite altitude aficionados to marvel at balloon launches and breezy flights while enjoying locally made snacks and live music. Some of the festivals also include marathons and fun runs. Some are competitive races in the sky, and others offer tethered rides for those who'd rather not drift. The rides are where you'll get the best view of the South's changing foliage and varied landscapes. Be sure to read the websites carefully: Some of the festivals may experience COVID-19 closures and schedule changes. Most of these hot air balloon festivals happen in the fall, but keep an eye out because we've included a few summertime festivals too (just in case your favorite foliage is the lush green kind).

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Balloons Over Morgantown

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Morgantown, West Virginia

Morgantown is home to the annual Balloons Over Morgantown festival, which takes place in October and consists of several balloon launches and flights from the Morgantown Municipal Airport.

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Carolina Balloon Fest

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Statesville, North Carolina

Check back next fall for the annual Carolina Balloon Fest, which lights up the skies over Statesville, North Carolina, with brightly colored balloons--and their riders, who enjoy the festivities over a fun-filled three-day weekend.

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Great Forest Park Balloon Race

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St. Louis, Missouri

Held each year in Forest Park, this September balloon race has more than 70 entrants and 130,000 spectators, making it the most well-attended single-day hot air balloon race in the country.

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Great Texas Balloon Race

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Longview, Texas

Held during the summer in Longview, Texas (known as "The Balloon Capital of Texas" since 1985), this festival has both competitive and non-competitive balloon flights launching into the Texas skies.  

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Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race

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Helen, Georgia

This summertime festival is located in North Georgia and includes a long-distance hot air balloon race that starts at Helen's Alpine Village. It sends the competitors hundreds of miles to I-95, which serves as the finish line. The length of the race typically takes place between one and four days. 

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Kyle Pie in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival

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Kyle, Texas

Check back next year for the Kyle Pie in the Sky Hot Air Balloon Festival, which takes place over an action-packed Labor Day weekend filled with fun festival foods, fireworks, tethered rides, and live music.

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Natchez Balloon Festival

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Natchez, Mississippi

The Natchez Balloon Festival got started in 1986, and in the decades since, it has brought live music, arts and crafts, and plenty of airborne fun to the skies of southwest Mississippi. The festival happens over several days each October.

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Plano Balloon Festival

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Plano, Texas

In September, set your sights on the Plano Balloon Festival and Run, which invites spectators to watch the balloon launches and cheer for the runners embarking on the weekend's races. The brave at heart can lace up their running shoes and set out on the 1K, 5K, 10K, and half marathon runs.

Learn more.

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By Southern Living Editors