Plano Balloon Fest

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.

‘SHARED HORIZON’ LAUNCHES AS THE 2026 THEME FOR H-E-B | CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL, SEPT. 17-20

The H‑E‑B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival announced this year’s theme: Shared Horizon. The artwork celebrates the shared wonder of ballooning that has defined North Texas for more than four decades. It reflects the way pilots and spectators all look to the same sky as colorful hot-air balloons bring Oak Point Park to life, capturing the moment and creating a sense of connection that stretches across the entire horizon.

“Shared Horizon is about more than balloons,” said Jo Via, Festival Director. “It reflects the way this festival brings people together — pilots sharing the sky, families creating lasting memories, alongside an engaged community. This year’s artwork captures that spirit beautifully.”

The 2026 theme and design features sponsor balloons and special shapes, with a sunrise horizon that has become a festival signature.

RISE & SHINE SEPTEMBER 18-21

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival will “Rise & Shine” on September 18-21 in a four-day celebration of ballooning at Oak Point Park. The annual event is a family-friendly weekend of activities with magnificent hot air balloons, spectacular fireworks show, carnival rides, fair food, cultural performances, live bands, and local vendors. The Festival is sponsored by H-E-B, Central Market, FOX 4, RE/MAX, BMW, and Whataburger; and funded in part by the City of Plano.

Children of all ages can experience the Whataburger Kids Korner Free Art Tent located in the Central Market Kids Fun Zone full of inflatables, slides and rides. Stroll the park and shop hand-crafted artwork, toys, gifts, apparel and other merchandise from 35 merchandise vendors providing an assortment of décor, artwork and more. Climb in the front seat of an ultimate driving machine, experience exceptional customer service and exclusive offers with BMW of Plano.

MAYOR PROCLAIMS SEPTEMBER 22-25 AS H-E-B | CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL DAYS

WHEREAS, in 1979 Jim and Haverly Marshall moved to Plano and set up the Balloon Academy of Texas. A love for hot air balloons inspired him to offer balloon rides to those attending the city’s 4th of July celebration, and this simple act led to the launch of the annual Plano Balloon Festival; and

WHEREAS, over the past four decades, the love of hot air balloons has grown exponentially in Plano. Citizens of all ages and visitors alike continue to be mesmerized by the many beautiful hot air balloons dotting the Plano skies each fall during the balloon festival. This signature event has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors to Plano and an untold multitude of local residents enjoy the privilege of watching the balloons from their own backyards, nearby parks and neighborhood gathering places over the years; and

CONCERT & HOT AIR BALLOON GLOW KICK-OFF FESTIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 22

This year the Plano Symphony Orchestra is celebrating with a 40th Anniversary Season and will open this year’s festival with a special outdoor community concert on Thursday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m. The concert offers families the opportunity to enjoy the orchestra in an outdoor setting while the hot air balloons glow in the background.

Plano Symphony Orchestra to give live concert at Plano Balloon Festival

The concert will include music for the entire family beginning with the “The Star Spangled Banner” and followed with pieces by Tchaikovsky, Bizet, Bernstein, and Ellington. Concertgoers will also hear selections from films like Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Magnificent Seven, Silverado, and favorites from James Bond films. The PSO’s Maestro Héctor Guzmán will conduct the orchestra. The PSO’s appearance at the 2022 Balloon Festival is made possible, in part, by the support of H-E-B/Central Market, Tammy and Charles Miller, and Dianne and Marion Brockette.

TICKETS ARE REALLY ON SALE FOR THE H-E-B | CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL & RUN

Tickets are really on sale as of June 15 for the 2022 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival & Run that will be held September 22-25. General admission is $10 per person and tickets are $5 for children age 12 and under and seniors age 65 and up. Admission is free for children 36” and under and all Military and First Responders who present a valid ID. The Kids Fun Zone ride wristbands are $20 and include all day play on the inflatables and mechanical carnival rides. Individual ride tickets may be purchased for $2.50 each.

FESTIVAL WILL OPEN EARLY TO CELEBRATE THE PLANO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival & Run will open one day early to celebrate the Plano Symphony Orchestra’s 40^th Anniversary Season. The Festival will be opening to the public on Thursday, September 22 at 5:00 p.m. to kick-off the weekend with music, hot air balloons, festival food and vendors, along with the famous Central Market Kids Fun Zone. The special community concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and offers families the opportunity to enjoy the orchestra in an outdoor setting while the hot air balloons glow in the background. The music will include pieces from films like Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Magnificent Seven, Silverado, and favorites from James Bond films.

“We understand the importance of celebrating big anniversaries and welcoming the Plano Symphony Orchestra to the 2022 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival & Run will mark the first time the Symphony has performed an outdoor, family friendly, community concert. We’re very excited to showcase the Plano Symphony Orchestra at this year’s Festival and can’t wait to be part of this wonderful evening.”
Jo Via, Executive Director of Plano Balloon Festival, Inc.

2021 H-E-B | CENTRAL MARKET PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL & RUN IS REALLY HAPPENING

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival & Run is really happening September 17-19 at Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve. Epicureans with delicious appetites know that H-E-B | Central Market, as the title sponsor, is “Really Into Food.” Attendees will experience an enchanting opportunity as balloon enthusiasts who are “Really Into Balloons.”

“The Plano Balloon Festival is the signature event of Plano and beyond. We’re thrilled to be able to support this tradition that brings so much community spirit, beauty and notoriety to our area.”
Mabrie Jackson, Director of Public Affairs, H-E-B | Central Market

PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL RECOGNIZED IN TEXAS AWARDS CEREMONY

The Plano Balloon Festival Inc. was recognized for 13 awards during the virtual 2020 Kaliff Marketing Awards ceremony that aired live from the City of McAllen and was livestreamed throughout Texas. The entries submitted were for events held between June 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020 and the competition includes more than 40 categories.

“2020 brought about many challenges to all of us across the State and across the Country. While the pandemic kept us apart, it did not keep us from finding new ways to come together, reconnect, reimagine, and recreate. We were able to bring our communities together in celebration, as we do through our events through TFEA,” stated Joe Vera, Chairman of Texas Festivals & Events Association.

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