Blog

Jan 28, 2024

A Fall Tradition Returns

Festivals signal the beginning of fall in Texas, and everyone in Dallas knows that when the annual Plano Balloon Festival comes around in September, it’s time for cooler temperatures and fun-filled

Festivals signal the beginning of fall in Texas, and everyone in Dallas knows that when the annual Plano Balloon Festival comes around in September, it’s time for cooler temperatures and fun-filled weekends. The 2023 Central Market Plano Balloon Festival will be held September 21-24 at Oak Point Park and offers everything from live music to the opportunity to float above the crowd in a hot air balloon (tethered, of course.)

It all starts on opening day, Thursday, September 21, with the RE/MAX of Texas Sky Diving Parachute Exhibition and the crowd-favorite balloon glow. Later, the Plano Symphony Orchestra will take on the FOX4 Main Stage with a family-friendly concert. Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday, September 22. Enjoy an evening packed with activities and entertainment, including the RE/MAX Sky Diving Parachute Exhibition, live music by dance band Party Machine covering decades of hit music, the hot air balloon glow at sunset, and fireworks show.

On Saturday, September 23, gates open early at 6 a.m. for the morning balloon launch presented by Dos Equis. Come back at 4:30 p.m. and head over to the Fox4Main Stage for Ice House, an energetic party band of musicians, dancers, and singers. Following the RE/MAX of Texas Sky Diving Parachute Team Exhibition at 6 p.m., H-E-B and Central Market will present the evening’s hot air balloon glow at 7:30 p.m., followed by a choreographed music and fireworks show. Gates are open from 6 to 11 a.m. on the last day of the festival, Sunday September 24 featuring the final balloon launch, presented by the City of Plano.

Each day of the festival, enjoy the H-E-B Central Market Kids Fun Zone, craft activity stations in the Kids Korner Art Tent, inflatable slides, 30 concession stands, carnival rides, and multiple vendor booths. You’ll also have the opportunity to experience a tethered hot air balloon ride.

Festival Dates & Hours:

September 21 – 5 p.m. – 10 p.m.

September 22 – 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.

September 23 – 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.

September 24 – 6 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Each year, the Plano Balloon Festival makes a direct impact on the Collin County community by dispersing funds to participating nonprofit agencies and, since its inception, has donated more than $3 million. The festival offers an efficient cashless payment process at the gates, and tickets are now on sale at https://www.planoballoonfest.org/p/tickets.

Admission, tickets, and parking pricing are as follows:

• $10 general admission

• $5 kids ages 3-12

• $5 seniors 65 and over

• FREE for kids 36” and under

• $10 off-site parking and $15 prime parking

• $20 all-day Kids Fun Zone ride wristband

• $2.50 per ride Kids Fun Zone

• $20 kids ages 6-12 tethered hot air balloon ride

• $30 tethered hot air balloon ride

When severe weather conditions exist in close proximity to the festival grounds, the event may be delayed for an hour or more, before deciding to cancel or proceed. If weather conditions dictate, specific activities may be cancelled. 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.

Additional information about the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival is available at https://www.planoballoonfest.org and updates posted to Facebook and Instagram. For more information about Plano, explore visitplano.com.