There’s a Hot Air Balloon Festival Floating Into Florida This June

Picture dozens of colorful hot air balloons drifting across the Florida sky like giant floating works of art. That’s exactly what’s happening this June at the Up Up and Away Florida Hot Air Balloon Festival in Lakeland. Whether you’re watching from the ground or brave enough to take a ride yourself, this festival promises unforgettable views, family fun, and memories that’ll last way longer than your Instagram story.

Get ready for one of the coolest events Central Florida has to offer.

1. Mass Balloon Ascension at Dawn

Nothing beats watching the sky fill with hot air balloons as the sun comes up. The mass ascension happens early in the morning when the air is calm and perfect for flying. You’ll see balloons in every color and pattern imaginable, from traditional stripes to wild custom designs that look like cartoon characters or animals.

Pilots from across the country bring their balloons to Lakeland for this event. They coordinate their launches so all the balloons lift off within a short window, creating an incredible sight. The ground crew works quickly to inflate each balloon, and you can watch the whole process from start to finish.

Bring your camera because the lighting during dawn creates amazing photo opportunities. The balloons glow from the inside when pilots fire up their burners, making them look like giant floating lanterns. Kids absolutely love counting how many different balloons they can spot.

Dress in layers since mornings can be cool even in June. The ascension typically starts around 7 AM, so plan to arrive early if you want a good viewing spot. This is the signature event of the festival and the one you absolutely don’t want to miss.

2. Evening Balloon Glow Spectacular

When the sun goes down, the real magic happens. The balloon glow turns the festival grounds into something that looks straight out of a fantasy movie. Pilots keep their balloons tethered to the ground and fire their burners in sync with music, making the balloons light up like enormous colorful lightbulbs against the night sky.

The choreographed glow show runs for about 30 minutes and features different lighting patterns. Sometimes all the balloons glow together, other times they pulse in waves across the field. The effect is absolutely mesmerizing, especially for younger kids who might not have the patience for a full balloon ride.

Food vendors stay open during the glow, so you can grab dinner and find a spot on the grass to watch. Many families bring blankets and make an evening picnic out of it. The atmosphere feels like a combination of a concert and a fireworks show, but way more unique.

Photographers go crazy for the balloon glow because it creates stunning images. The contrast between the glowing balloons and the dark sky makes for incredible shots. Arrive before sunset to secure a good viewing location since this event draws the biggest crowds of the festival.

3. Tethered Balloon Rides for Beginners

Not ready to float away into the wild blue yonder? Tethered rides give you the balloon experience without actually going anywhere. The balloon stays connected to the ground with strong ropes and rises about 50 to 75 feet up, just high enough to get a bird’s eye view of the festival grounds and surrounding area.

These rides are perfect for people who want to try ballooning but feel nervous about a full flight. You’ll still experience the sensation of being in a basket and feel the heat from the burner, but you’re never more than a minute from being back on solid ground. Kids as young as five can usually participate with a parent.

Each tethered ride lasts about 10 minutes and holds several people at once. The pilot explains how the balloon works and answers questions while you’re up there. You’ll see the festival from a completely different perspective and might spot things you’d miss from ground level.

Lines for tethered rides can get long during peak hours, especially on Saturday afternoon. Try going first thing in the morning or later in the evening for shorter waits. Tickets are usually sold separately from general festival admission, so budget accordingly.

4. Vendor Village and Craft Fair

Between balloon launches, the vendor village keeps everyone entertained with dozens of local artisans and crafters. You’ll find everything from handmade jewelry to custom balloon-themed artwork that makes perfect festival souvenirs. Local artists set up booths showcasing Florida-inspired pieces that you won’t find anywhere else.

Food trucks line one entire section of the vendor area, offering way more variety than your typical festival fare. Expect gourmet grilled cheese, fresh lemonade, BBQ, Cuban sandwiches, and specialty desserts. One vendor usually sells balloon-shaped cookies decorated to look like the real balloons flying overhead, which are huge hits with kids.

Live music plays throughout the vendor village all day long. Local bands perform everything from country to classic rock, creating a fun background soundtrack while you browse. There’s plenty of shaded seating where you can rest your feet and people-watch between shopping.

Don’t forget to hit the ATM before arriving since some smaller vendors prefer cash. The village also includes information booths where you can learn about taking your own balloon ride or booking future flights. Many people end up scheduling rides with local operators they meet at the festival.

5. Kids Zone Activities and Games

Parents love this festival because the kids zone keeps children entertained for hours. Face painting stations transform kids into butterflies, tigers, or whatever design they dream up. Balloon artists create elaborate sculptures that go way beyond basic dogs and swords, making miniature hot air balloons and other creative shapes.

Interactive games scattered throughout the kids area include giant Jenga, cornhole tournaments, and balloon-themed relay races. A rock climbing wall challenges older kids while bounce houses tire out the younger ones. Everything is included with your festival admission, so kids can try activities multiple times without extra charges.

Educational stations teach children about the science of flight and how hot air balloons actually work. Hands-on demonstrations let kids experiment with concepts like hot air rising and wind direction. It’s sneaky learning disguised as fun, and most kids don’t even realize they’re picking up science lessons.

The kids zone stays open during the entire festival, giving parents flexibility to catch balloon events while children play. Volunteers and staff supervise all activities, though parents need to stay nearby. Bring sunscreen and water bottles since kids can spend hours running between different stations and games.

6. Pilot Meet and Greet Sessions

Ever wondered what it takes to fly a hot air balloon? Scheduled meet and greet sessions let you chat directly with experienced pilots who love sharing their passion for ballooning. These aren’t stuffy presentations but casual conversations where you can ask anything from how they got started to what the scariest moment of their career was.

Pilots bring photo albums and logbooks showing their adventures around the world. Some have flown in balloon festivals across multiple continents and have incredible stories about landing in unexpected places or dealing with surprise weather changes. You’ll hear about the balloon community and how pilots help each other out at events like this one.

Many pilots encourage kids to ask questions and will pose for photos in front of their balloons. They explain the different parts of the balloon and let visitors peek inside the wicker baskets. Some even demonstrate how the burner system works, though from a safe distance.

These sessions happen throughout the day at designated times posted around the festival grounds. They’re free to attend and don’t require advance registration. If you’re seriously considering booking a balloon ride, this is your chance to meet potential pilots and decide who you’d feel most comfortable flying with.

7. Photography Workshop and Contest

Serious photographers and casual phone snappers alike can join guided photography workshops led by professional photographers. These sessions teach techniques specific to capturing balloons, like how to handle the bright morning light or create silhouette shots during the evening glow. You’ll learn composition tricks that make your photos look magazine-worthy.

The festival runs a photo contest with categories for professional, amateur, and youth photographers. Subjects can include anything from the balloons themselves to candid shots of people enjoying the festival. Winners get prizes including free balloon rides and professional prints of their winning images.

Workshop leaders take small groups around the festival grounds, pointing out the best vantage points and timing for different shots. They explain camera settings for both DSLRs and smartphones, making the advice accessible regardless of your equipment. You’ll discover angles and perspectives you never would have thought of on your own.

Early morning and late evening workshops fill up fastest since those are prime shooting times. Registration usually opens a few weeks before the festival on their website. Even if you don’t enter the contest, the skills you learn will improve every vacation and family photo you take afterward.

8. Food Truck Rally and Dining Options

Forget sad carnival food because this festival takes eating seriously. The food truck rally brings together some of Central Florida’s best mobile kitchens serving everything from authentic street tacos to gourmet mac and cheese. You’ll find options for every dietary preference including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices clearly marked at each truck.

Local restaurants participate too, setting up temporary booths to showcase their signature dishes. One popular vendor serves fresh-squeezed orange juice in honor of Florida’s citrus heritage, while another offers Key lime pie on a stick for easy eating while walking around. The variety means your family won’t argue about where to eat since everyone can choose something different.

Seating areas with picnic tables and shade tents are scattered throughout the dining zone. Many people bring their own blankets and chairs to create comfortable spots for enjoying meals while watching balloons overhead. The festival allows outside food and drinks, but with this much variety available, you probably won’t need to pack much.

Prices are reasonable for festival food, with most meals running between eight and fifteen dollars. Cash and cards are accepted at nearly all vendors. Plan to eat early or late to avoid the lunch and dinner rushes when lines get longest.