Adirondack Balloon Festival

View on map
UniqueQueensbury
Dates17–20 September 2026Confirmed listing
Duration4 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesThe festival traces back to a 1972 static
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Adirondack Balloon Festival in Queensbury

The Adirondack Balloon Festival fills the sky above Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury with 70 or more hot-air balloons each mid-to-late September, running since 1973 as the oldest and largest such festival on the East Coast. Free four-day programming includes mass launches, an evening Moonglow display and a hangar breakfast served on weekend mornings.

Its balloon visuals and Adirondack foothills setting make it a strong travel event.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival traces back to a 1972 static balloon display organized by Vermont balloonist John Marsden, which led to the first Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival the following year with 18 balloonists at Adirondack Community College

02

The mystery stays covered

Now held every September except for a single 2020 cancellation, the four-day event has grown into the oldest and largest hot-air balloon festival on the East Coast, drawing upward of 150,000 visitors

03

The city starts moving

Its signature evening event, Moonglow, gathers 30 to 40 tethered balloons that inflate and light up in choreographed sequence to music without ever leaving the ground

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

the festival's evening centerpiece

Water and renewal

Living ritual

gathers dozens of tethered hot-air balloons that inflate after dark and glow in sequence choreographed to music

The sacred route

Living ritual

a tradition that has become the visual signature of the festival and draws crowds separate from the daytime launch events

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

17–20 September 2026

Getting around

Driving and early arrival are essential.

What to wear

Layered clothing works best given the temperature swing between chilly dawn launches and warmer afternoons; casual outdoor festival wear suits both the daytime craft fair and the evening...

Safety

At Adirondack Balloon Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Glens Falls/Queensbury

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map43.35 N, 73.67 WOpen in Google Maps

Queensbury, NY

TransportDriving and early arrival are essential.
Stay areaGlens Falls/Queensbury

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 Queensbury via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Queensbury, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearLayered clothing works best given the temperature swing between chilly dawn launches and warmer afternoons; casual outdoor festival wear suits both the daytime craft fair and the evening Moonglow display.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 Adirondack Balloon Festival?

Adirondack Balloon Festival is listed for 17–20 September 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Adirondack Balloon Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Queensbury, 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?

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

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Queensbury, NY

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 URLadirondackballoonfest.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates17–20 September 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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