Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival

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Food & DrinkElkhorn
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forRegional food & drinkThe Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival in Elkhorn

The Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival is a two-day summer event at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Elkhorn, pairing hot air balloon launches and evening balloon glows with tastings from Nebraska wineries and craft beer. Live entertainment, a marketplace village, and food vendors round out the festival, which runs into the evening on Friday and Saturday in mid-August.

Just north of Omaha in Elkhorn, Nebraska, Ta-Ha-Zouka Park becomes a launch site each August for one of the state's most photographed summer traditions: dozens of hot air balloons rising into the evening sky, followed after dark by a balloon glow that lights the park in warm color.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival stands apart by combining two attractions that rarely share a bill: a full hot air balloon program, complete with sunrise-adjacent evening launches and an illuminated balloon glow, alongside a curated tasting lineup built specifically around Nebraska's own wineries rather than generic national brands

02

The mystery stays covered

That local-winery focus gives visitors a direct introduction to the state's wine industry, which is small enough that many producers are on hand pouring their own bottles

03

The city starts moving

The free park shuttle service from Elkhorn High School also reflects an event scaled to genuinely regional attendance rather than a fenced, ticket-only footprint, making the balloon glow accessible to a broad local audience

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's defining tradition pairs a mass hot air balloon ascension at sunset with an after-dark balloon glow

Water and renewal

Living ritual

where tethered balloons are lit from within without launching

The sacred route

Living ritual

alongside tastings exclusively from Nebraska wineries

The local code

Living ritual

a souvenir wine glass with paid tasting admission has also been a recurring feature

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

For Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival, plan transport around the exact Elkhorn venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual outdoor evening wear suits an August park festival: comfortable shoes for grass and gravel, layers for cooling evening temperatures once the sun sets, and sun protection for the...

Safety

Use normal food-market caution, hydrate, and leave time between crowded stalls.

Where to stay

For Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival, stay near the part of Elkhorn you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map42.67 N, 88.54 WOpen in Google Maps

Elkhorn, NE

Nearest airportMKE — General Mitchell
TransportFor Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival, plan transport around the exact Elkhorn venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival, stay near the part of Elkhorn you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Elkhorn via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Elkhorn, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearCasual outdoor evening wear suits an August park festival: comfortable shoes for grass and gravel, layers for cooling evening temperatures once the sun sets, and sun protection for the earlier hours before balloons launch.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival?

Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival is listed for August · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Elkhorn, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Summer is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Elkhorn, NE

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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