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.

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.”

RISE & SHINE WITH HOT AIR BALLOONS & PILOTS SEPT 18-21

Rise & Shine and have a good time with more than 30 hot air balloons at the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival on September 18-21. Among the special shapes includes Ms. Autumn that is a giant pumpkin with a massive green stem, and Barnstormer that features a cow, horse, pig, farmer and silo; representing the American farmers that feed our great nation. Voluntold is a historical nod to the first balloon flight in 1783 and pilot Gary Moore has incorporated a sheep, duck and rooster into the design to honor the passengers who originally flew and safely landed. Ziggy the Raccoon is ready for adventure, Bud E Beaver weighs 700 pounds, and fans will adore seeing Lovebirds, Fire Dog, and Police Dog on the field.

H-E-B Hot Air Balloon pilot Amie Cato at the Plano Balloon Festival — **H-E-B**
Pilot: Amie Cato
Paris, Texas

Central Market Whisked Away hot air balloon with pilot Matt Robison of Fort Worth Texas — **H-E-B**
Pilot: Amie Cato
Paris, Texas

**POLICE DOG**
Pilot: Brian Chase
Moscow, Pennsylvania

**BARNSTORMER**
Pilot: David Adler
Belgrade, Montana

Ziggy the Raccoon Hot Air Balloon at the Plano Balloon Festival — **BARNSTORMER**
Pilot: David Adler
Belgrade, Montana

TICKETS ON SALE

Tickets are officially on sale for the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival that is themed to “Rise & Shine” on September 18-21. The four-day weekend has exciting new attractions featuring Portillo’s 32-foot long Beef Bus® and a Classic Car Show including Oldsmobile, Chevy, Buick, Pontiac and Cadillac. Thomas J. Henry Law, the largest personal injury law firm in Texas, is sponsoring the Spectacular Pyrotex Fireworks Show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Families can explore the Whataburger Kids Korner Free Art Tent located in the Central Market Kids Fun Zone full of inflatables, slides and rides. Watch the RE/MAX sky divers land on the field, take a tethered ride in a hot air balloon, or climb in the front seat of the ultimate driving machine courtesy of BMW of Plano.

Admission and parking fees are as follows:

$10 General Admission
$5 Kids Ages 3-12
$5 Seniors 65 and Over
FREE for Kids 36” and Under
FREE for Military and First Responders (with valid ID)
$10 Off-site Parking and $15 Prime Parking
$20 All Day Kids Fun Zone Ride Wristband
$50 VIP Plano Symphony Orchestra Concert

Festival Dates & Hours
September 18 – 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
September 19 – 4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
September 20 – 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
September 21 – 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival Soars “High In The Texas Sky”

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival is going to soar “High In The Texas Sky” on September 21-24. Opening day, Thursday, September 21 will showcase the Plano Symphony Orchestra’s family friendly concert on the FOX4 Main Stage. Hot air balloons will inflate and glow* after the sun sets at Oak Point Park where the flickering of flames will dance in the dark.

On Friday, September 22 the gates open at 4:00 p.m. and includes the RE/MAX Sky Diving Parachute Exhibition. Live entertainment by dance band Party Machine covers decades of hit music, the hot air balloon glow* is presented by RE/MAX, along with a spectacular fireworks show. Saturday, September 23 the gates open at 6:00 a.m. for a balloon launch* presented by Dos Equis, the official beer and hard seltzer sponsor of the festival. The Fox4 Main Stage features Ice House, an energetic party band of musicians, professional dancers, and dynamic singers. H-E-B and Central Market present the evening hot air balloon glow* at 7:00 p.m. followed by an amazing music choreographed fireworks show.

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