If you're searching for the best hot air balloon festivals in Utah County in 2026, look no further. From Springville's beloved Art City Days Balloon Fest and evening Aglow Balloon Glow to Provo's massive Freedom Festival Balloon Fest, Utah County delivers some of the most spectacular and completely free ballooning events in the entire state. Here's everything you need to plan your visit.
Springville Art City Days Balloon Fest 2026
When: Friday & Saturday, June 12 and 13, 2026 | 6:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Art City Elementary, 121 North 900 East, Springville, UT Admission: Free
The Springville Art City Days Balloon Fest is one of the longest-running hot air balloon festivals in Utah, having launched its first balloons back in 1994. Part of the larger Art City Days celebration, Springville's beloved annual summer festival, the balloon launch is the crown jewel of the week.
Each morning, spectators can watch colorful hot air balloons launch from Art City Elementary beginning at 6:30 a.m. Arrive early, spread out a blanket, and enjoy breakfast while the crews inflate the envelopes and the sky slowly fills with color. A sign-up is available each morning for a free tethered hot air balloon ride, and balloons toss candy and prizes as they lift off. Free face painting adds to the fun for the whole family.
Competitive balloon pilots also take part in the Orville Anderson Cup Competition, where skill and precision are on full display as pilots vie for top honors. Spectators are encouraged to bring blankets and breakfast to sit and eat while watching the balloons fill up and lift off.
This is one of the best free family events in Springville, Utah, and a genuine bucket-list experience for locals and visitors alike.
Springville Aglow Balloon Festival 2026 (Balloon Glow & Family Dance)
When: Friday, June 12, 2026 | Dusk (approximately 8:30 p.m.) to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Clyde Recreation Center, 717 South 1200 West, Springville, UT Admission: Free
If you've never witnessed a hot air balloon glow at night, the Springville Aglow Balloon Festival is the perfect introduction. This magical nighttime event is the evening companion to the morning balloon launches and one of the most visually stunning events in Utah County all summer.
At the Clyde Recreation Center field, the balloons are tethered to the ground and inflated while crowds gather to watch, hear, and feel the burners blast hot air into the colorful envelopes. After dark, the balloons synchronize their glowing in time with music, creating an atmosphere that's equal parts concert and light show.
The Balloon Glow kicks off with a family-friendly dance party, and spectators can walk up close to the balloons for an up-close look at the cockpits while they pulse and glow. The All Aglow Family Street Dance follows from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. in the Recreation Center parking lot.
Whether you're a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor searching for things to do in Springville Utah, this is an evening you won't forget.
Freedom Festival Balloon Fest Provo 2026
When: July 2 to 4, 2026 | 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. daily Balloon Glow: Friday, July 3 | 8:30 to 10:00 p.m.
Where: Fox Field, 1100 North Freedom Blvd, Provo, UT Admission: Free
For sheer scale and patriotic energy, nothing in Utah County rivals the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo. Held each year as part of America's Freedom Festival at Provo, one of the nation's premier Independence Day celebrations, this event draws massive crowds to Fox Field every 4th of July weekend.
More than 25,000 spectators gather each year to experience approximately 25 hot air balloons up close. Families and children can walk among the balloons as they inflate, and pilots compete in the Hare and the Hound competition, where "hound" balloons drop bean bags onto a target laid out by the "hare." It's a unique competitive format that makes this Provo balloon festival stand out from others in the state.
There's also an interactive activity kids love: collect balloon cards from each pilot, answer the trivia questions on the back, and enter for a chance to win prizes. Make sure to arrive right at 6:00 a.m. when the inflation begins, as it's worth seeing from the very start.
Don't miss the nighttime spectacular either. On the evening of July 3, Fox Field transforms for the Balloon Glow, an enchanting nighttime celebration running from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m.
The Freedom Festival Balloon Fest has run for over 40 years, with much of the volunteer committee having worked together since the event's very beginning, a remarkable testament to community dedication and the enduring love for this tradition.
Tips for Attending Utah County Hot Air Balloon Festivals
- Arrive early. Balloons inflate quickly and launch within the first hour. Be there at opening time to see the full experience.
- Bring layers. Early summer mornings in the Utah Valley can be surprisingly chilly. A light jacket is a must at 6:30 a.m.
- Pack a blanket and snacks. Both the Springville and Provo festivals encourage spectators to settle in and watch at a relaxed pace.
- Bring your camera or charge your phone. The sunrise light combined with colorful balloons against the Wasatch Mountains is extraordinary.
- Check the weather the night before. All balloon launches are weather-dependent. Follow each event's official social media pages for morning updates before you head out.
It's all free. Every event listed here, including morning launches, balloon glows, and family dances, is completely free to attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Springville Art City Days Balloon Fest? It's an annual hot air balloon launch and glow event held during Springville's Art City Days celebration each June. The morning launches take place at Art City Elementary and the evening glow is held at the Clyde Recreation Center. Both are free.
When is the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo 2026? Balloon launches are scheduled for July 2 to 4, 2026 at Fox Field, 1100 N Freedom Blvd, Provo, UT, from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. The Balloon Glow is July 3 from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m.
Are the Utah County balloon festivals free? Yes. The Springville Art City Days Balloon Fest, the Aglow Balloon Glow, and the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest are all free to attend.
Can you ride a hot air balloon at these festivals? The Springville festival offers free tethered balloon rides on a sign-up basis each morning. Full free-flight rides are not typically available at these events.