Hot Air Balloon Festivals Near Metro Detroit (and all over Michigan too)!
For the full list of Michigan Festivals & Fairs: CLICK HERE
Balloons Over Bavarian Inn (Frankenmuth)
May 26-29, 2023
From their site: Witness beautiful morning and evening flights by more than 25 hot air balloons over Frankenmuth during Balloons Over Bavarian Inn! Nightly balloon glows take place during Frankenmuth Dog Bowl (Check Out My Dog Centered Events Post) in the grassy field near River Place Shops.
Location:
River Place Shops
925 South Main Street
Frankenmuth, MI 48734
Carson City Frontier Days (Carson City)
June 2-4, 2023
From their site:
We are very excited to continue the tradition of Frontier Days in Carson City. It is a great way to kick off the summer as well as show off all the special things our small town has to offer.
Since the beginning, Carson City Frontier Days has celebrated with Country Western shows, rodeos, magic shows, canoe races, tractor pulls, carnival rides, parades, picnics, dances, hot air balloons and pageants.
Although Frontier Days has changed over the years, one thing remains. It is a time for friends, family, and neighbors to come together to celebrate the joys of living in a small town.
Hudsonville Balloon Festival (Hudsonville)
June 16-17, 2023
Unity Christian High School
Michigan Challenge Balloonfest (Howell)
June 23-25, 2023
Lots of different events with the balloons at this one including Balloon Fly-ins in the mornings, Balloon Glow on Saturday Night, Balloons & Brews Charity Fundraiser, etc.!
Balloon Fly-In Times:
Friday, June 23rd
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, June 24th
6:30 AM – 8:00 AM
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Sunday, June 25th
6:30 AM – 8:00 AM
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location:
Howell High School
1200 W. Grand River Rd.,
Howell, MI 48843
Fees:
Daily: $5/person
Weekend Wristband: $10/person (Only sold on Friday
Battle Creek Balloon Festival & Air Show (Battle Creek)
June 29 – July 4, 2023
This one is an Air Show & Hot Air Balloon Festival!
“Morning and Evening Flights Plus Two Balloon Illumes”
Location:
Battle Creek Executive Airport
Fees:
$13/person (Free on Thursday)
There are parking fees as well.
(Please see their site for all of the details.)
Jackson Hot Air Jubilee (Jackson)
July 21-23, 2023
Location: Ella Sharp Park
From their site: In 1983 a group of Hot Air Balloon enthusiasts who lived in and around Jackson came up with the dream of a family friendly event for the Jackson Community. The Hot Air Jubilee was born. Since then the Jubilee has grown to an event that thousands of people attend every summer. 25-30 Balloons come in from around the country to participate in the friendly rivalry of the contests.
Harbor Days Festival (Elk Rapids)
August 2-5, 2023
From their site:
Harbor Days is a four day community festival taking place in beautiful Elk Rapids. The celebration highlights the best of our picturesque harbor and wonderful community. This small town festival is a can’t miss event for your summer calendar! Harbor Days kicks off on Wednesday night with the popular Evening on River Street. With the street closed, the downtown merchants and vendors are ready to satisfy your appetite for food, music and entertainment!
The next three days offers events for every age and every interest. The schedule includes Kids Day games, athletic events, carnival rides, festival parade, musical entertainment and so much more. Others may choose to relax on our beautiful beaches, visit our historic museum or stroll through the Art Park. The celebration main event lights up the sky on Saturday night as Zambelli International fireworks sparkling colors display over the Harbor, Carnival area and long stretch of park shoreline.
While Elk Rapids Harbor Days is managed by the Harbor Days Association Board of Directors, the festival champions numerous fundraising opportunities for local service organizations helping them to provide good works for the community all year long. We are also honored by the support of our generous sponsors, which allows us to offer most events free of charge, our volunteers. We are proud of our town and our festival and invite you to join us for Harbor Days!
Midland Area River Days & Balloon Festival (Midland)
August 3-6, 2023
Hot Air Balloons, Live Music, Fireworks, & More! Looks and sounds like a really good time!
Kalamazoo Balloon Fest (Kalamazoo)
August 11-13, 2023
This is two weekends earlier than past years!
From their site:
Join us on August 26th, 27th, and 28th for the 9th Annual Kalamazoo Balloon Fest. You don’t want to miss the breathtaking display of balloons taking to the skies. The best part? This is a FREE event! Gull Meadow Farms will be offering a discounted admission of $11/person if you choose to enjoy activities while at the farm (purchased in person)
$5 parking per vehicle * NO ANIMALS *NO Smoking/Vaping
Metamora Country Days (Metamora)
*8/25-8/26 * (Based on the dates from last year…still waiting on confirmation.)
Wayland BalloonFest (Wayland)
September 8-9, 2023
Wayland Balloonfest will be held at Calkins Field in Wayland.
3755 S Division, Wayland, MI
Save the dates! 2022 Wayland Balloonfest brought in more balloons, 14 in total, and over 7,000 attendees. You don’t want to miss out this year.
The two-day event will consist of a Kids Carnival, Car Show, Vendor Event, Live Music and of course Balloon Flights and a Balloon Glow! We will have Food Trucks and a Meet and Greet with the pilots as well!
Balloons Over Bay Harbor (Bay Harbor)
September 23, 2023
7:30am-10pm
Village at Bay Harbor
SAVE THE DATE for the 4th annual Balloons Over Bay Harbor which will take place in the Village at Bay Harbor, September 22nd and 23rd.
We will be hosting some of the best pilots in the nation who compete in national festivals across the country.
There will be a schedule of flight activity throughout the weekend, so keep your “eyes to the skies” to see the beautiful balloons. There will also be “night glows” where the balloons will light up while grounded on both Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 8pm.
There is truly no other event like this in northern Michigan! Get up close as the pilots inflate their balloons right before your eyes on our Marina Lawns, it is truly an exhilarating experience.
A full schedule of family activities are being planned for 2023, so be sure to continue to check back for updates as they happen!
We are looking for some amazing businesses to sponsor our 2023 Balloons Over Bay Harbor event. To learn more how you can be part of this amazing event, see our sponsorship packet HERE.
For the full list of Michigan Festivals & Fairs: CLICK HERE
