Plano Balloon Fest

LIVE MUSIC, SKYDIVERS, LASER SHOW AND FAMILY ATTRACTIONS

Hot air balloons may fill the sky, but there’s plenty happening on the ground at the 2026 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival. The four-day celebration returns September 17-20 with a full lineup of live music and performances on the FOX4 Main Stage, high-flying exhibitions by the RE/MAX of Texas Parachute Team, family attractions, carnival rides, festival food, tethered balloon rides and a new Laser Show by Boom Special Effects.

The festival’s entertainment lineup offers guests something to experience throughout the weekend between scheduled balloon activities. FOX4 returns as Main Stage sponsor with musical acts and community performances, while attractions throughout Red Tail Pavilion / Oak Point Park create a full festival experience for guests of all ages.

New this year, a Laser Show by Boom Special Effects will replace the previously scheduled fireworks display. Continued dry conditions and the current burn ban make the traditional fireworks show unsuitable this year, giving festival organizers an opportunity to introduce a colorful nighttime production while prioritizing safety.

PILOT SPOTLIGHT: ROBERT SNYDER

For Robert Snyder, hot air ballooning began with two life-changing introductions: a future wife and a first flight.

Born in Southern California, Robert didn’t discover the world of ballooning until he moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, to attend New Mexico State University. While there, he met a young woman from Albuquerque who would later become his wife of 32 years. Around the same time, one of his fraternity brothers happened to be a balloon pilot.

A trip to Albuquerque for the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta sparked his curiosity, but it was a flight with his fraternity friend that truly changed everything.

“I was hooked,” Robert recalls.

HOT AIR BALLOONS AND PILOTS INCLUDE UNICORN, LLAMA, FISH, BIRDS AND MORE!

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival returns September 17-20, 2026, bringing more than 40 hot air balloons, special shapes and four days of family-friendly entertainment to Red Tail Pavilion / Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano.

“There is nothing quite like watching the launch field come alive as the pilots and crew begin inflating the balloons,” says Amy Leone, Balloon Operations Coordinator. “A year of planning leads to those incredible moments. We are thrilled to welcome 12 special shapes that includes a pig, duck, llama, frog, bear, fish, birds, cat, raccoon, and even a unicorn and sasquatch sighting. I can’t wait for everyone to experience the excitement of the inflations and glows.”

The 2026 theme, Shared Horizon, celebrates the vibrant sport of ballooning that has brought North Texas together for more than four decades. It reflects the moment pilots, crews, families and spectators look to the same sky as colorful balloons bring Red Tail Pavilion / Oak Point Park to life. This year’s artwork features sponsor balloons and special shapes set against a sunrise or sunset horizon that has become a Festival signature.

“Each balloon and pilot brings a different story to the launch field, but together they create an experience that belongs to the entire community,” said Jo Via, Festival Director. “From longtime Festival favorites to imaginative special shapes and newly introduced balloons, this year’s lineup will fill our Shared Horizon and give families even more reasons to share in the wonder.”

The Team Behind the Flame: How Pinnacle Propane Helps Fuel the Festival

When spectators look across the field at the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival, they see colorful balloons, glowing burners, and thousands of feet of fabric rising into the Texas sky.

What they don’t always see is the fuel that makes it all possible.

For many years, Pinnacle Propane has served as the festival’s propane provider, helping ensure balloon pilots have the fuel they need for launches, balloon glows, demonstrations, and other festival activities. While much of their work happens behind the scenes, it plays a critical role in bringing one of North Texas’ most beloved traditions to life.

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