Plano Balloon Festival

Start: Thursday, September 19, 2024 6:00AM
End: Sunday, September 22, 2024 11:00PM

2024 marks 45 years of Ballooning in Plano and Collin County! Join in the Celebration at the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival, a spectacular four-day event beginning at 5:00pm Thursday, September 19th at Oak Point Park / Red Tail Pavilion, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074. This weekend event offers something for everyone; entertainment on the Main Stage, special kids activities, sky divers, an enormous variety of food to tempt your taste buds, merchandise and handmade products showcased, and of course the incredible hot air balloons. The balloons will be in the park Thursday at 7:00pm, Friday at 7:00pm, Saturday at 7:00am and 7:00pm, and Sunday at 7:00am (weather permitting). REMAX OF TEXAS SKY DIVERS… For the adventurous, the RE/MAX of Texas parachute team will perform Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons at 6:00pm by jumping from their plane over the park and landing right in the middle of the launch field. FOX4 MAIN STAGE... Live Music all Weekend! Thursday Night - Plano Symphony Orchestra Friday Night - Party Machine Band Saturday Night - Ice House Band Continuous entertainment throughout the weekend. KIDS FUN ZONE… Ticket Booths open Thursday 5:00PM - 9:30PM | Friday 4:00PM - 9:00PM | Saturday 7:00AM - 9:00PM | Sunday 7:00AM - 11:00AM Rides open Thursday 5:00PM - 9:30PM | Friday 4:00PM - 10:00PM | Saturday 7:00AM - 10:00PM | Sunday 7:00AM - 11:00AM Rides vary in price from $2.50 - $5 All Day Play Wristbands available for $20 Individual Ride Tickets available for $2.50 each (sold in increments of 2) Enjoy the fun and interactive inflatable rides this year in the Kids Fun Zone. Race through the obstacle courses, zip down the huge slides, ride the pirate ship or the berry-go-round. Children can enjoy the creative make and take art activities in our FREE Kids Korner as they make their way through the different craft stations and explore the Plano Symphony Orchestra Instrument Area. BALLOON GLOW... Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the balloons will provide a breathtaking sight as they inflate and glow after it gets dark. This is a must see! LIGHT UP THE SKY AERIAL SHOWS... You'll want to hang around after the Balloon Glow! This year we will be showcasing Drone Shows Thursday and Friday Evenings and Fireworks Saturday Evening. *Hot Air Balloon Displays, including launches, static displays, glows, and tether rides may be restricted due to adverse weather conditions or wind speeds that exceed safety levels. Hot-air balloons are ONLY in the Park during the scheduled balloon activity dates and times. Onsite Tethered Balloon Rides... Floating high above the crowd....tethered rides will be available this year. A tethered ride is when the balloon lifts off the ground, hovers 20-30 feet above the ground for several minutes, but does not launch and fly away. Sales will be offered Thursday PM, Friday PM, Saturday AM, Saturday PM, and Sunday AM, weather permitting on a first come first serve basis and at the individual pilot's discretion. One balloon will be doing tethered rides, and can accommodate 10-12 people (depending on height and weight). Tickets only available for purchase onsite - Cash Only Adults - $30 Children 6-12 years old - $20 Every passenger will have to sign a waiver Passengers must be at least 6 years old and see over the Balloon Basket. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent / legal guardian and they must sign a release for the child. There is no minimum height requirement. Adults are NOT permitted to hold a child in their arms during the tethered ride. All passengers must be in good health. If you are pregnant, recently released from the hospital, have current broken bones or casts, you will not be able to qualify to purchase a ride. These balloons are not certified by the FAA to carry wheelchairs. Listen for announcements from the Main Stage on when tethered rides will open and close. Rides that fly away from the park are NOT offered. Only Tethered Rides are offered, weather permitting, when balloons are in the park. GENERAL ADMISSION ENTRANCE FEE Tickets are available onsite. No need to worry about selling out. $10 - Adult Ticket $ 5 - Kids 3-12 years old $ 5 - Seniors 65 and older *Free for Kids 36 inches and under *Free for all Military (including retired) with valid ID *Free for First Responders (including Police Officers, Fire Fighters, Nurses, and Doctors) with valid ID Valid for ID Holder Only. Limit 1 Ticket per ID. *Not available for sale online. Must get at Onsite Ticket Booth VIP Experience - Thursday Evening: $75