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 20th 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!

2024 Schedule of Events

Morning hot air balloon flights are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning and take place between 6am – 8am. 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 2, 2024
Balloon Glow Kick Off Event
4 pm – 9 pm

 

* Amphitheater on the Island

 

4:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Festival Open with food & retail vendors, and arts & craft vendors

4:30 – 6:00 pm This Side of 49*

4:30 pm – 8:00 pm: Free Lawn Games on OWA Island

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Tri-City Saviors*

7:30 pm: Balloon Glow (weather & wind permitting) 

Friday, May 3, 2024
Festival opens to public
11 am – 10 pm

* Amphitheater on the Island

** Meet & Greet Tent in Festival Field 

11:00 am – 10:00 pm: Festival Open with food & retail vendors, and arts & craft vendors

11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Meet & Greet**

1:00 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 & Greet**

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Funky Lampshades*

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm – VIP Tent Only: dinner is available to VIP ticket holders

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Eric Michael Taylor*

7:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Tethered Rides & Balloon Glow (weather & wind permitting)

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Southbound 75*

Saturday, May 4, 2024
Festival open to public
11 am – 10 pm

 

* Amphitheater on the Island

** Meet & Greet Tent in Festival Field

11:00 am – 10:00 pm: Festival Open with food & retail vendors, and arts & craft vendors

11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Meet & Greet**

1:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Free Lawn Games on OWA Island

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Pow Wow Club Performance*

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm: Ryan Dyer*

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (wind & weather permitting)

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Hot Air Balloon Pilots Meet & Greet **

4:00 pm – 8:00 pm – VIP Tent Only: dinner is available to VIP ticket holders

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Hannah Anders*

7:30 pm – 9:00 pm: Tethered Rides & Balloon Glow (weather & wind permitting)

7:00 pm – 9:30 pm: Drive!Drive!