Schedule
Balloon flights and displays are weather dependent, taking place only at dusk and dawn when conditions permit.
The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival is approaching its 19th year of flying! We are excited you are interested in coming to this year’s event that will feature more than 50 balloons from across the country! Join us at OWA for this fun filled weekend!
2023 Schedule of Events
Morning flights are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning and take place between 6:00-8:00 am. Flights take place before the festival is open. Tune into WHEP Radio Baldwin 92.5 FM for live broadcasting of flight plans. Listen to find out their launch site and flight path so you can catch them in the skies!
Thursday, May 4, 2023
Balloon Glow Kick Off Event
5 – 9 p.m.
*Amphitheater on the Island
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm – Festival Open with food vendors, arts and craft vendors and retail vendors.
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Funky Lampshades*
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm – Free Lawn Games, Balloon Artist & Face Painter on OWA Island
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Doctor Zarr’s Amazing Funk Monster*
7:30 pm – Balloon Glow (weather and wind permitting)
Friday, May 5, 2023
Festival opens to public
11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
* Amphitheater on the Island
**Meet and Greet Tent in Festival Field
11:00 am – 10:00 pm – Festival Open with food vendors, arts and craft vendors and retail vendors.
11:00 am – 2:00 pm – Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Meet and Greet**
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Free Balloon Artist on OWA Island
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, ever 30 mins – Balloon Pop Kids Games on OWA Island
1:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Free Face Painter on OWA Island (30 min break every 3 hours)
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (weather and wind permitting)
2:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Free Lawn Games on OWA Island
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Hot Air Balloon Pilots Meet and Greet**
2:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Scavenger Hunt in Downtown OWA
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Grits and Greens*
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Meet and Greet Activity TBD**
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Ryan Dyer Band*
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Tethered Rides & Balloon Glow (weather and wind permitting)
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm – D Play*
Saturday, May 6, 2023
Festival open to public
11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
* Amphitheater on the Island
**Meet and Greet Tent in Festival Field
11:00 am – 10:00 pm – Festival Open with food vendors, arts and craft vendors and retail vendors.
11:00 am – 2:00 pm – Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Meet and Greet**
11:30 am – 12:00 pm – National Anthem by Coastal Voices Praise*
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm – Pow Wow Club Performance*
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Free Balloon Artist on OWA Island
12:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Free Lawn Games on OWA Island
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm – Jacob Brock*
1:00 pm – 6:00 pm, every hour – Kids Balloon Building Contest and Balloon Races on OWA Island
2:00 – 4:00 pm – Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (wind and weather permitting)
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Hot Air Balloon Pilots Meet and Greet **
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm – Bangarang Peter*
4:30 pm – 6:30 pm – Ben Loftin & The Family*
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Meet and Greet Activity TBD**
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Tethered Rides & Balloon Glow (weather and wind permitting)
7:00 pm – 10:00 pm – The Red Clay Strays*