Plano Balloon Festival 2026: Dates, Tickets, Balloon Glow & What to Know

UPDATED SEPTEMBER 15, 2026

The Plano Balloon Festival returns this week, bringing four days of hot air balloons, glows, live entertainment and family activities to Oak Point Park.

The 2026 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival runs Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20, with evening Balloon Glows Thursday, Friday and Saturday, plus morning balloon launches Saturday and Sunday.

Organizers say more than 40 hot air balloons are expected this year, including 12 special shapes ranging from a unicorn and llama to a frog, bear, fish, birds, raccoon and even Sasquatch. 

More Than Just Hot Air Balloons

If you've never seen a Balloon Glow, it's one of the festival's signature events.

As the sun goes down, pilots fire the burners and illuminate the balloons across the launch field. It's one of those North Texas events that's just as impressive in person as it looks in photos and videos.

📍 2026 Plano Balloon Festival

Dates: September 17–20, 2026
Location: Oak Point Park & Red Tail Pavilion, Plano
Highlights: Hot air balloons, Balloon Glow, live music, fireworks, food vendors, family activities and more.

Weather permitting, Balloon Glow is scheduled for:

• - Thursday evening
• - Friday evening
• - Saturday evening

Morning balloon launches are scheduled for 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

Live Music, Fireworks And Family Fun

The festival isn't just about balloons.

Throughout the four-day event, visitors can catch live performances on the FOX4 Main Stage, RE/MAX of Texas Parachute Team exhibitions, Kids Fun Zone attractions, food vendors, shopping and other festival activities.

This year's evening schedule also includes a Spectacular Laser Show at 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Thursday night's entertainment includes the Plano Symphony Orchestra Big Band, while Midtown 10 takes the stage Friday. Saturday includes performances throughout the day and Ice House Band in the evening.

Saturday is the festival's longest day, beginning at 6 a.m. with the morning balloon launch scheduled for 7 a.m. Activities continue throughout the day before the Balloon Glow and laser show Saturday night.

Saturday is expected to be the busiest day of the festival. It starts with a morning balloon launch, followed by live entertainment throughout the day. After sunset, Balloon Glow takes over before fireworks close out the night.

Perfect For Your Camera Roll

If you're looking for your next Instagram or TikTok post, the Plano Balloon Festival gives you plenty to work with.

You'll see colorful balloons filling the launch field, special-shaped balloons towering over the crowd and glowing balloons against the evening sky.

And with more than 40 balloons expected this year, you'll probably leave with a lot more than one photo.

Plan Ahead Before You Go

Festival hours are:

• Thursday: 5 p.m.–10 p.m.
• Friday: 4 p.m.–10 p.m.
• Saturday: 6 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Sunday: 6 a.m.–11 a.m.

Onsite admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3–12 and seniors 65 and older. Children 36 inches and under are free, and military members, including retirees, receive free admission with valid ID. Online advance tickets include processing fees. 

GRAB YOUR TICKETS HERE.

Tickets are available in advance through the official Plano Balloon Festival website and can also be purchased onsite.

Parking and Transportation

Prime parking is $15 per vehicle at several locations near the festival, including Collin College Spring Creek Campus, Oak Point Recreation Center and First United Methodist Church.

Off-site parking is $10 per vehicle at the Plano Event Center.

If you'd rather skip some of the traffic, you can park at the DART Parker Road Station and take the free festival bus to Admission Gate 4. Buses run continuously during festival hours.

The Parker Road Station is also the designated pickup and drop-off location for ride-share services.

Festival organizers recommend avoiding Spring Creek Parkway because of heavy congestion and using alternate routes toward Jupiter Road instead. 

A North Texas Tradition

For decades, the Plano Balloon Festival has been one of North Texas' signature fall events, bringing families and visitors from across Dallas-Fort Worth to Plano for a weekend that's a little different from the usual concert, game or night out.

And this year, with more than 40 balloons, a dozen special shapes, three Balloon Glows and four days of activities, there will be plenty happening both in the sky and on the ground.

Balloon launches and glows are weather dependent, so it's a good idea to check the official festival schedule before heading out.