Schedule of Events
🎈 Stay Up to Date on Balloon Activities!
Hot air balloons fly only at sunrise or within an hour of sunset when winds are calm and predictable. Factors like heat thermals and atmospheric pressure also play a role in flight decisions.
So, what does this mean for the festival? If the weather permits, look to the skies between 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM on FRIDAY and SATURDAY for breathtaking balloon flights. In the early evening, enjoy the mesmerizing Balloon Glow on the festival grounds (all 3 nights weather permitting). Plus, wind and weather permitting, interactive balloon activities are available throughout the day!
REMINDER: All Balloon activities are weather dependent. Flights & Glows take place only at dusk and dawn when conditions permit.
THURSDAY
Apr 30, 2026
* Amphitheater on the Island
** Meet & Greet Tent in Festival Field
4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Festival Opens with vendors: Food, Retail, Arts & Crafts
4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
🍴 VIP Tent Only: Dinner available to VIP ticket holders
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Arts & Crafts Vendors Open in Downtown OWA
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Free Kids Activities throughout Downtown OWA
4:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Free Lawn Games on the Island
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
🎵 Live Music by Yeah Probably at OWA Amphitheater*
7:00 pm – 7:35 pm
Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show 🐾
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
🎵 Live Music by Justin Jeansonne at OWA Amphitheater*
7:30 pm
🎈 Balloon Glow (weather & wind permitting)
FRIDAY
May 1, 2026
* Amphitheater on the Island
** Meet & Greet Tent in Festival Field
4:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Festival Opens with Vendors: Food, Retail, Arts & Crafts
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
🎵 Live Music by Shrimp Shack Shooters at OWA Amphitheater*
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Meet & Greet**
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Free Lawn Games on the Island
4:00 pm – 7:30 pm
🍴 VIP Tent Only: Dinner available to VIP ticket holders
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Free Kids Activities throughout Downtown OWA
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
🎈 Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (weather & wind permitting)
5:00 pm – 5:35 pm
Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show 🐾
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
🎵 Live Music by 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 & wind permitting)
7:30 pm – 9:15 pm
🎵 Live Music by The M-80's at OWA Amphitheater*
9:15 pm
✨ Drone Show (weather permitting)