Hot Air Balloons Will Fill the Skies Over High River This September
The Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival returns to High River from September 23 to 27, 2026, bringing five days of colourful hot air balloon launches to southern Alberta.
The annual festival features pilots from Canada, the United States and Europe, along with its popular Friday-night Balloon Glow.
Watching the launches and attending the Balloon Glow are both free, and no tickets are required.
Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival 2026 Dates
The festival runs from Wednesday, September 23 to Sunday, September 27, 2026.
Scheduled events include:
Wednesday, September 23
- Opening ceremonies at 4 p.m.
- Media and sponsor flight at 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 24
- Morning balloon launch at 7:30 a.m.
- Evening balloon launch at 5:15 p.m.
Friday, September 25
- Morning balloon launch at 7:30 a.m.
- Balloon Glow festivities from 5 to 9 p.m.
- No Friday-evening flight is scheduled
Saturday, September 26
- Morning balloon launch at 7:30 a.m.
- Evening balloon launch at 5:15 p.m.
Sunday, September 27
- Final balloon launch at 7:30 a.m.
Every balloon flight is weather-dependent. Launches may be delayed or cancelled if conditions are unsuitable.
The Festival Has a New Location for 2026
Both the daily balloon launches and Friday-night Balloon Glow are moving to Wallaceville in High River for 2026.
The launch field is located on Centre Street near Macleod Trail SW. The closest intersection is Centre Street and Macleod Trail SW in High River.
Spectators cannot enter the active launch field during regular flights, but they can watch the balloons inflate and take off from outside its perimeter.
Friday-Night Balloon Glow
The Balloon Glow takes place on Friday, September 25, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Wallaceville site.
Festivities begin at 5 p.m., followed by balloon inflation at approximately 7 p.m. The main Balloon Glow is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. and finish around 8:30 p.m.
Visitors can walk among the inflated balloons while pilots fire their burners, illuminating the balloons after dark.
The evening will also include food vendors, music, dancers and a walk-in balloon.
Admission is free, and tickets are not required.
Balloon Glow Schedule
- 5 p.m.: Festivities begin
- 7 p.m.: Balloon inflation
- 7:30 p.m.: Balloon Glow begins
- 8:30 p.m.: Balloon Glow ends
- 9 p.m.: Event concludes
Times may change depending on the weather.
Parking for the Balloon Launches
Free event parking is available east of Centre Street, across from the Wallaceville launch field, during scheduled launch times.
Accessible parking is also available for visitors displaying a provincial accessible-parking placard.
Spectators should arrive approximately 15 to 30 minutes before the scheduled launch and follow directions from the festival traffic team.
This parking area will not be available to the general public during the Friday-night Balloon Glow.
Balloon Glow Parking
Parking for the Balloon Glow is different from parking for the daily launches.
Park-and-ride and park-and-walk options are available for $20 per vehicle, payable in cash. Public street and downtown parking may also be available.
Accessible parking is located at the Balloon Glow site. Visitors using it must display a valid provincial placard and arrive before 5 p.m., when vehicle access closes.
Expect heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic around Wallaceville on Friday evening.
Can You Ride in a Balloon?
Passenger rides for the 2026 festival are sold out.
Visitors can still attend the scheduled launches and Balloon Glow for free.
Tips for Attending
- Check the festival website before travelling because flights depend on weather.
- Arrive at least 15 to 30 minutes before a scheduled launch.
- Bring cash if using the paid Balloon Glow parking options.
- Wear warm layers and suitable footwear.
- Bring a camera or phone with plenty of available storage.
- Leave pets at home. Companion animals are not permitted at the launch field or Balloon Glow.
- Stay on public roads if following balloons after launch.
- Never enter private driveways, fields or other private property.
- Give official balloon chase vehicles the right of way.
A Colourful Fall Day Trip from Calgary
Located approximately an hour south of Calgary, the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival is one of the region’s most distinctive fall events.
Visitors can watch dozens of balloons lift into the foothills sky during the daily launches or experience them illuminated from the ground during Friday’s Balloon Glow.
Admission to both experiences is free, making the festival an affordable day trip for families, photographers and anyone looking for something different to do near Calgary this September.
Check the official Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival website before leaving for flight-status updates, schedule changes and parking information.
