A field of hot air balloons will light up after dark at this free Alberta festival

Get ready to look up, because dozens of hot air balloons will soon be filling the skies over High River this September. The Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival is coming to the southern Alberta town for five days, bringing balloon pilots from across Canada, the United States and Europe. From colourful morning launches to the festival’s nighttime Balloon Glow, there will be plenty of opportunities to see these giant balloons floating overhead.

So, when can you actually see them take flight? Here’s everything you need to know about the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival.

What to expect at the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival

What is the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival?

According to Heritage Inn, the Heritage Inn Balloon Festival is a five-day hot air balloon celebration that was created in September of 2013, just three months after the devastating floods hit High River. It was created as a way to bring some joy back to the community after the disaster, and has since grown into an annual tradition that draws pilots and spectators from around the world.

What happens during the festival?

Throughout the five days, you can catch scheduled Fiesta Flights, where pilots take to the skies as part of the festival’s ballooning competition. Pilots will use different wind speeds and directions at various altitudes to navigate toward targets and complete assigned tasks.

Can I ride in a balloon?

And if you’d rather see the festival from above, you can actually climb into one of the balloons yourself. Passenger rides will be available from Thursday through Sunday for an additional cost, so you’ll have an opportunity to see High River and the surrounding southern Alberta landscape from up in the air.

What is the Balloon Glow?

The festival also features a Balloon Glow on Friday evening, where the balloons are inflated on the field and illuminated by their burners after dark. Alongside the glowing balloons, there will also be food vendors, a walk-in balloon, a DJ and dance performers. And since the Balloon Glow will be taking place, there will be no Friday evening Fiesta Flight, so the balloons will stay on the ground during the evening festivities.

Festivities will begin at 5 p.m., and the balloons will start to inflate around 7 p.m. The actual Glow runs from approximately 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., before the evening wraps up at 9 p.m. The Balloon Glow is also completely free to attend, so you don’t need a ticket to check it out.

When can you see the hot air balloons take flight?

• Wednesday, Sept. 23: 5:30 p.m. – Media/Sponsor Fiesta Flight
• Thursday, Sept. 24: 7:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. – Fiesta Flight
• Friday, Sept. 25: 7:30 a.m. – Fiesta Flight
• Friday, Sept. 25: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Balloon Glow
• Saturday, Sept. 26: 7:30 a.m. and 5:15 p.m. – Fiesta Flight
• Sunday, Sept. 27: 7:30 a.m. – Final Fiesta Flight

Will the hot air balloon flights happen if it rains?

Hot air balloon flights depend heavily on weather conditions, so even a flight on the schedule can end up being delayed or cancelled. Before every launch, pilots have a meeting to review the conditions and decide whether it is safe to fly. And if conditions aren’t suitable at the scheduled launch time but are expected to improve, a flight can be placed on stand-by rather than being cancelled.

The festival recommends checking its website for the latest status, which will indicate whether a flight is a “Go,” “Stand-by,” or “Cancelled.”

What are the rules for watching the balloon launches?

If you’re heading out to watch a launch, there are a few things to keep in mind. Spectators aren’t allowed onto the launch field, but you can watch from outside the perimeter and still get a close-up view of the balloons taking off.

According to the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival, it’s recommended that you arrive 15 to 30 minutes before the scheduled Fiesta Flight, especially since the number of spectators can vary from one launch to the next. Once the balloons are in the air, you can follow them by car, but you’ll need to stay on public roads and keep a safe distance behind the chase vehicles.

And while you might be tempted to bring your pets along, the festival asks spectators to leave pets at home, since crowds and unpredictable sounds from the balloons can be stressful for animals.

How do I get there?

The festival is taking place at the Wallaceville launch site on Centre Street in High River, near the intersection of Centre Street and Macleod Trail SW. If you’re driving to one of the Fiesta Flights, spectator parking is available on the east side of Centre Street across from the launch site, with accessible parking available as well.

If you’re heading out to the Balloon Glow on Friday, Sept. 25, there are a few more parking options, including downtown and residential parking, plus Park and Ride and Park and Walk options for $20 per vehicle.

Coming without a car? No designated transit services run in and out of High River, so you’ll need to arrange your own transportation there.

Is the festival free to attend?

You don’t need a ticket to attend the Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival. The regular Fiesta Flights are free to watch, and the Friday night Balloon Glow is also free, so you can head to the launch site without needing to purchase anything or register in advance.

If you want to take a ride in one of the balloons, it costs $445 per person, plus GST. The rides are operated by Kiss the Sky Balloons and will be available from Thursday through Sunday. Spots are limited, so you’ll need to book ahead if you want to get up in the air.

When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, to Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
Time: Starts on Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 9 p.m. and runs until Sunday, Sept. 27, at 7:30  a.m.
Where: Wallaceville Launch Site – Nearest Intersection is Centre St. and Macleod Tr. SW, High River, Alta.
Cost: Free to attend, Passenger Rides: $445 plus GST per person

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Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

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