The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, presented by Columbia Southern University, is in its 22nd year of flying! Join us at OWA Parks & Resort for this exciting fun-filled event!
EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC!
Thursday & Friday: 4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Saturday: 10:00 – 9:30 pm
Foley is your destination for family fun and adventure at the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival! Explore daily entertainment, vibrant arts and crafts displays, and much more at the festival site.
Admission is FREE—don’t miss this magical experience!
🎈 Morning Balloon Flights – Where to Watch! 🎈
Looking to catch the balloons in flight? Here’s your chance! 👀
On Friday & Saturday mornings (May 1 & 2, 2026), competition flights will take off from various locations, but you can expect to see balloons flying over the soccer fields off Hwy 98 between approximately 7–9 AM (weather permitting).
🎟 TICKETS for tethered balloon rides will be SOLD ON SITE only. What is a tethered balloon ride? Find out more here: https://www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com/tethered-rides
👑 Elevate Your Festival Experience! Tickets for the VIP experience can be purchased online: https://bit.ly/balloon2026vip
4:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Festival Open to the Public
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Yeah Probably at OWA Amphitheater
7:00 PM – 7:35 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Justin Jeansonne at OWA Amphitheater
7:30 PM: Balloon Glow (weather permitting)
4:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Festival Open to the Public
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Shrimp Shack Shooters at OWA Amphitheater
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at the Meet & Greet Tent
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (weather permitting)
5:00 PM – 5:35 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Renee Amelia at OWA Amphitheater
7:00 PM – 7:35 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
7:30 PM: Tethered Rides & Balloon Glow (weather permitting)
7:30 PM – 9:15 PM: The M-80’s at OWA Amphitheater
9:15 PM: Drone Show (weather permitting)
10:00 AM – 10:00 PM: Festival Open to the Public
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at Meet & Greet Tent
11:30 AM – 12:05 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Symone French at OWA Amphitheater
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Hot Air Balloon Pilots at Meet & Greet Tent
3:00 PM – 3:35 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (weather permitting)
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM: JB Dyess Trio at OWA Amphitheater
6:30 PM – 7:05 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
7:30 PM: Tethered Rides & Balloon Glow (weather permitting)
7:00 PM – 9:15 PM: The Molly Ringwalds at OWA Amphitheater
9:15 PM: Drone Show (weather permitting)
