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 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 4, 2023
Balloon Glow Kick Off Event
5 pm – 9 pm

 

* Amphitheater on the Island

 

5:00 pm – 10:00 pm: Festival Open with food & retail vendors, and arts & craft 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 & wind permitting) 

Friday, May 5, 2023
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 – 5:00 pm: LifeSouth Bloodmobile accepting blood donations located at Trolley Loop

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

2:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Scavenger Hunt in Downtown OWA (starts at Spashpad)

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Grits and Greens*

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

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Meet & Greet Activity TBD**

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Ryan Dyer Band*

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

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm: D Play*

Saturday, May 6, 2023
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 – 5:00 pm: LifeSouth Bloodmobile accepting blood donations located at Trolley Loop 

11:00 am – 2:00 pm: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo Meet & 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 pm – 4:00 pm: Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (wind & weather permitting)

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

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Bangarang Peter*

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

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Ben Loftin & The Family*

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm: Meet & Greet Activity TBD**

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

7:00 pm – 10:00 pm: The Red Clay Strays*