Statesville, North Carolina
2026 CAROLINA BALLOONFEST TICKET & PARKING UPDATE
We're incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support of this year's Carolina BalloonFest!
Online ticket sales for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are officially closed, and all parking is SOLD OUT.
With the parking at capacity, admission at the gate is not guaranteed. We strongly encourage anyone without a previously purchased ticket to plan ahead and join us in 2027 rather than travel to the festival without a ticket.
Thank you for your understanding and for making this year's event such a success!
About
Carolina BalloonFest, hosted by National Balloon Rally Charities, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is the second oldest hot air balloon festival in the country. Held annually on the third weekend in October, the festival features breathtaking balloon competitions, mass ascensions, and evening glows.
All the Color. All the Fun.
“The Carolina BalloonFest is pure joy from start to finish — the kind of event that feels magical no matter your age. From watching colorful hot air balloons fill the sky at sunrise and glow at night, to live music, local food, family-friendly activities, and the buzz of thousands of people coming together, there’s an energy you can’t quite describe until you experience it.”
