Looking for a fun and unique experience that the whole family can enjoy this year?
Look no further than the hot air balloon festivals happening in Wisconsin!
With their vibrant colors and graceful movements, hot air balloons make for a truly mesmerizing sight, and there’s no shortage of opportunities to see them in action throughout the state.
In this post, we’ll be highlighting five of the best hot air balloon festivals happening in Wisconsin this year.
These family-friendly events promise to be an unforgettable experience for both kids and adults alike.
So get ready to be awed and inspired by these breathtaking displays of aerial artistry!
1. Monroe Balloon & Blues Festival
June 14-15, 2024
Monroe, WI
The Monroe Balloon and Blues Festival is an annual event held in Monroe, Wisconsin that combines two of the most unique and exciting experiences: hot-air balloons and blues music.
The festival typically takes place over three days and offers a variety of activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages.
The Monroe Balloon Rally and hot air balloon launch is one of the main attractions of the festival. Attendees can witness the breathtaking sight of dozens of colorful hot air balloons taking off and soaring into the sky, and balloon glows at night.
Another highlight of the festival is the blues music. The festival features a lineup of talented blues musicians from around the country, performing on a main stage throughout the weekend.
Visitors can relax on the lawn or bring their own chairs and blankets to enjoy the music and atmosphere.
The Monroe Balloon and Blues Festival also offers a variety of food and beverage vendors, craft vendors, and a classic car show.
Where to Stay
2. Taste and Glow Balloon Fest in Wausau
July 12-13, 2024
Taste & Glow Balloonfest is an annual hot air balloon festival that takes place in Wausau, Wisconsin.
The festival is a celebration of the beauty and wonder of hot air balloons and includes a variety of activities and attractions for people of all ages.
As the name suggests, the festival features both hot air balloons and delicious food, making it a perfect destination for families looking for a fun day out.
During the festival, visitors can watch as hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes are inflated and take flight, creating a colorful and mesmerizing display in the sky.
Additionally, the festival features live entertainment and music, kids activities including a bounce house and slides, crafts, night glows, and a variety of food and beverage options, making it a complete experience for everyone.
You can even take a tethered hot air balloon ride yourself! In the past, they’ve offered tethered rides, a walk through balloon, and even a lumberjack competition.
The Taste & Glow Balloonfest in Wausau is truly a one-of-a-kind event that is not to be missed by anyone who loves hot air balloons, great food, and family fun!
Where To Stay
3. Waterford Balloonfest
June 29, 2024
The Waterford Hot Air Balloon Festival is an annual event that will take place in Waterford Town Park this year. (It used to be held at Waterford Union High School.)
This festival is a celebration of hot air balloons and the community, and it features a range of activities for people of all ages.
During the festival, visitors can watch colorful balloons take to the skies, creating a beautiful and colorful spectacle against the backdrop of the surrounding landscape.
The festival also includes live music, a Kids Fun Zone, a craft fair, drone races, and a variety of food and beverage options.
In the past, they’ve also offered tethered balloon rides, helicopter rides, and a Balloon Night Glow.
Where To Stay
4. Burger Fest 2023
August 9-10, 2024
Seymour, WI
Burger Fest is an annual event held in Seymour, Wisconsin, that celebrates the small town’s claim to fame as the “Home of the Hamburger.”
According to local legend, the first hamburger was served in Seymour in 1885 by Charles Nagreen, who was just 15 years old at the time. The festival, which began in 1989, draws crowds of people from all over the state and beyond to celebrate this culinary invention.
Burger Fest features a variety of activities, including a burger eating contest, a ketchup slide for kids, a car show, live music, and a parade.
The centerpiece of the festival is the World’s Largest Hamburger Parade, which features dozens of giant hamburger floats rolling through the streets of Seymour.
Besides celebrating all things burger related, there will also be a hot air balloon rally August 11-12 at Rock Ledge School and Park. There will be balloon ascensions and a balloon glow, plus kids events and food and drinks.
Where To Stay
5. Lakeshore Balloon Glow
August 16, 2024
720 Quay Street, Manitowoc, WI, United States, Wisconsin
The Lakeshore Balloon Glow is a family-friendly annual hot air balloon festival held in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
This festival typically takes place in August and features a stunning display of hot air balloons illuminated against the night sky.
During the festival, visitors can watch as the balloons are inflated and lit up, creating a magical and mesmerizing spectacle.
In addition to the balloon glow, the festival also includes live music, food trucks, a kids area, food vendors, fireworks, and other family-friendly activities.
Where To Stay
6. Hudson Hot Air Affair
February 2-4, 2024
Hudson, WI
For a cold weather hot air balloon experience, check out the Hudson Hot Air Affair held annually in Hudson, Wisconsin.
Your family can watch dozens of hot air balloon launches as dozens of balloonists from all over the country show off their skills, weather permitting.
Where To Stay:
Up for a weekend trip?
The National Balloon Classic will be held this year in Indianola, Iowa July 26th – August 3rd, 2024. More than 100 hot air balloons will participate!
If you’re looking for a unique and exciting family-friendly event to attend in Wisconsin, hot air balloon events are a fantastic option.
From the Taste & Glow Balloonfest in Wausau to the Lakeshore Balloon Glow in Manitowoc, these festivals are a great way to witness the majesty of hot air balloons up close, enjoy delicious food, live music, and participate in a range of fun family activities.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned hot air balloon enthusiast, there’s no doubt that these festivals will leave you with unforgettable memories.
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Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
