One, then five, then dozens or more — it doesn’t take long for the creative, colorful patterns of hot air balloons to fill the sky during a hot air balloon festival.
If you want to see the beautiful spectacle for yourself, here are five upcoming hot air balloon festivals around Colorado to check out from late summer to early fall. (All information comes from travel site and from the festivals’ various websites.)
Moffat County Balloon Festival
Dates: Aug. 2-4
Location: Loudy-Simpson Park (1006 S. Ranney St., Craig)
Launch: 6:30 a.m. on all festival days
Admission: Free
This event includes a on Aug. 3, followed by the Colorado Cruiser Classic Car Show. Wyoming artist and Colorado musicians will play that afternoon. Info at .
Creede Balloon Festival
Dates: Aug. 30-Sept. 1
Location: Mineral County Memorial Airport (Airport Road, Creede)
Launch: 7 a.m. on all festival days
The includes activities like a children’s carnival, marathon runs, a salsa cook-off and an ATV rodeo. Be sure to check out “the glow,” which starts at 6 a.m. every morning before the balloons launch, where onlookers can see the balloons up close as they’re being inflated. Info at .
Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off
Dates: Aug. 31-Sep. 2
Location: Memorial Park (1705 E. Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs)
Launch: 7 a.m. on all festival days
Admission: Free
Over 70 balloons are expected to rise each day during this festival, which includes a doughnut-eating contest, skydiving demonstrations and a photography contest. A “balloon glow” is also held each evening at sunset, in which festival-goers gather to watch the balloons’ burners ignite and inflate the balloons on land. Info at
Snowmass Balloon Festival
Dates: Sept. 6-8
Location: 2909 Brush Creek Road, Snowmass Village
Launch: 6:30 a.m. on all festival days
Admission: Free
About 30 hot air balloon pilots are set to compete in races and other challenges throughout the festival. Sept. 7 will also feature , a hard cider tasting event, and a street party. Info at .
Colorfest
Dates: Sept. 20-22
Location: Town Park Athletic Field (Hermosa Street, Pagosa Springs)
Launch: No balloons on Sept. 20; 8 a.m. on Sept. 21 and 22
Admission: $50-$60
The price of entry includes full access to the Pagosa Wine & Food Festival on Sept. 20, the Bands & Brews Festival on Sept. 21, and both balloon ascensions on Sept. 21 and 22. Info at .
