Experience the Magic in the 2024, Hot Air Balloon Festival in Atlanta: A Breathtaking Aerial Extravaganza!

Get ready for the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Atlanta in 2024 – a sky-high celebration you won’t want to miss! This breathtaking annual event transforms the city into a kaleidoscope of color as dozens of vibrant balloons take flight. Marvel at the awe-inspiring morning mass ascensions and magical evening balloon glows synchronized to music. With live entertainment, delicious food vendors, interactive kids’ zones and unbeatable photo ops, it’s a quintessential summer experience for all ages.

Introduction

The Hot Air Balloon Festival in Atlanta is a fantastic event. This Festival of Atlanta features numerous large, colorful hot air balloons in all summer. We witness a remarkable sight of dozens of balloons ascending together. The highlight of this festival is the “balloon glow at night.” The balloons illuminate with vibrant colors, creating a warm and beautiful glow in the sky, during the festival in the sky of Atlanta.

The festival isn’t just about the balloons; it’s a big celebration for all ages! There are areas dedicated to kids with rides, games, and activities. You can enjoy live music as well. Music and entertainments are also part of the festivities. And, of course, there are plenty of tasty festival food trucks and vendors available in the grounds of the Atlanta Balloon Festival. I must admit, it is one of the top hot air balloon festivals in the country, and the best classic summer event with a fun and vibrant atmosphere.

Hot Air Balloon Festival Overview

Hot Air Balloon Festival History

While not as established as some long-running balloon festivals, the Atlanta event has become a beloved annual tradition since its start in 2009. It was launched (pun intended!) by a group of local hot-air balloon enthusiasts and pilots.

What started small has grown into one of the premier ballooning events in the Southeast region. It now hosts over 50 colorful hot air balloons each year from pilots all across the country.

The festival provides a unique way to experience the magic of ballooning while enjoying a weekend full of family entertainment and activities.

Hot Air Balloon Festival Schedule And Venue

The Hot Air Balloon Festival Atlanta takes place every summer, typically across a long weekend in May or June. The 2024 dates are May 31 – June 2.

It’s held at the Souther Town Park & Amphitheater (4469 Savannah St, Ellsworth, GA 30041). This big open park on the outskirts of Atlanta provides the perfect launch spot for all the hot air balloons.

Getting Tickets

Tickets for the Atlanta Balloon Fest are very affordable for a weekend of family fun. You can get single-day passes or discounted multi-day tickets. Kids 10 and under get in free with an adult ticket purchase.

The cheapest option is to buy early bird general admission passes online a few months in advance. These start at just $12 for an adult single day or $30 for a 3-day pass.

You can also get tickets at the gate, but those are more expensive – $18 for a single-day adult ticket or $45 for a 3-day weekend pass purchased on-site.

Hot Air Balloon Festival Launches and Glows

The Mass Ascension, Of course, the main event everyone comes for is the incredible mass ascension of all the hot air balloons. It’s simply breathtaking to witness dozens of these gigantic, colorful balloons inflate and lift off together. The mass ascensions happen twice per day – once in the morning around 6:30 am and again in the evening around 6 pm. The morning launches offer great lighting for photos and tend to have smoother winds.

As the balloons take flight in formation, filling the sky in every direction, it’s an experience you’ll never forget. The sight of all those vibrant balloons drifting peacefully overhead is pure magic. Evening Balloon Glows After the daytime launches, the fun keeps going with the evening balloon glows. These will take your breath away in a different way! The glows happen once the sun goes down, usually around 8:30 pm on the festival evenings. Pilots keep their balloons inflated and anchored while firing up the burners periodically.

This causes the balloons to glow with intense, pulsating bursts of fire and light. It’s unbelievably cool to watch them all light up and glow together against the night sky backdrop. The balloon glows are synchronized to music, making them a true spectacle combining sight and sound. It’s one of the most unique and memorable parts of the Atlanta festival.

Other Launch Details

• The location of balloon launches rotates each year based on wind conditions that day
• Check the festival schedule and map for updated launch field locations
• Arrive at least 1 hour early to get a prime viewing spot
• Balloons only launch if wind conditions are safe – cancellations may occur

Learn more about the Atlanta Hot Air Balloon Festival in this site!

Family-Friendly Activities

More Than Just Balloons The Hot Air Balloon Festival Atlanta isn’t only about the incredible balloon launches and glows. It’s a full-blown festival with activities to keep the whole family entertained all weekend long.

Kids’ Zone The kids’ area is a huge hit with the little ones. This massive interactive zone has all sorts of rides, games, and attractions just for children.

Some favorites include:

• Bounce houses and obstacle courses
• Petting zoos with farm animals
• Arts & crafts tents to get creative
• Climbing walls and bungee trampolines
• Carnival games to win prizes

It’s a safe, contained space where kids can run around and have a blast. Parents can relax while the kiddos burn off some energy!

Live Entertainment

You’ll find live music, performers, and entertainment spread across the festival grounds. Local bands and street performers take the stage to get crowds dancing and singing along. It creates such a fun, lively atmosphere to enjoy in between watching the balloons. Grab a drink, find a spot on the lawn, and soak in the music and festivities.

Food & Drinks

No festival is complete without an awesome food scene! The Atlanta event hosts dozens of food trucks and vendors dishing out all sorts of tasty fare. You’ll find all the classic festival foods – funnel cakes, turkey legs, lemonade, and more. But they also feature local restaurants serving up regional specialties. From barbecue to Mexican, pizza to vegan options, there’s a little something for every taste. Bring your appetite and get ready to eat your way through the grounds!

Tips for First-Timers and Navigation

Attending for the First Time?

If it’s your first time at the Hot Air Balloon Festival Atlanta, don’t worry – it’s an easy event to navigate. Just follow these helpful tips to make the most of your day.

Since you’ll be outdoors all day, dress in lightweight, comfortable clothes, and don’t forget:

• Hat or visor
• Sunglasses
• Refillable water bottles
• Small umbrella or rain poncho

Get There Early The balloon launch fields can get extremely crowded, especially for the popular morning ascensions. Arrive at least 1-2 hours before the scheduled launch time to get a prime viewing spot. Parking can also fill up fast, so give yourself plenty of buffer time. Either use the free festival parking lots or take a rideshare to avoid parking headaches.

Primo Photo Spots Want to snap some amazing hot air balloon photos? Here are the best places to stake out:

• The official viewing areas closest to the launch field
• The top level of parking garages near the park
• Slightly elevated spaces on hills/berms in the park

Get creative with your framing! Look for foregrounds that let you capture the balloons rising behind trees, buildings, or other scenic backdrops.

What to bring?

The essentials like sunscreen, a portable chair or blanket to sit on, and cash for food/drinks. Coolers are allowed if they don’t contain alcohol.

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Accommodation and Travel

Where to Stay The Hot Air Balloon Festival Atlanta makes for an awesome weekend getaway, especially if you’re traveling from out of town. There are plenty of accommodation options nearby to fit any budget.

Hotels If you prefer the amenities of a hotel, downtown Atlanta has you covered with all the major chains – Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, etc. Prices can get steep though for the festival weekend.

A more affordable option is checking hotels in the suburbs around SoutherTown Park, like:

• Ellsworth Inn & Suites – Basic but clean rooms starting around $100/night
• Hampton Inn & Suites Vinings – Solid mid-range option from $130/night
• La Quinta Inn Marietta – Budget-friendly from $80/night

Just keep in mind you’ll have about a 20-30 minute drive to the festival grounds.

Camping To fully embrace the adventurous spirit, consider camping! SoutherTown Park has basic campgrounds with shower facilities right on-site. Tent and RV sites are $35-$45 per night.

You can also try campgrounds slightly further out like:

• Red Top Mountain State Park
• Sweetwater Creek State Park
• Fort Yargo State Park

Just book well in advance as sites fill up quickly.

Getting Around The festival provides free parking, but lots can get extremely full. Consider taking MARTA public transit or using a rideshare service like Uber/Lyft to avoid parking headaches. Once inside the grounds, it’s an easy walk to navigate between the launch fields, kids’ areas, stages, and vendor areas. Golf cart shuttles are also available for those who need assistance.

Photo Opportunities

Snap Some Incredible Shots One of the best parts about the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Atlanta? The unbeatable photo ops! This is an Instagrammer’s dream event.

Morning Launches

The morning balloon launches provide stunning photography conditions. As the balloons inflate and rise with the sunrise backdrop, you’ll capture photos straight out of a fairytale.

Pro tip: Arrive before dawn to stake out a spot close to the launch field. This lets you frame the balloons ascending behind picturesque scenes like trees, lakes, or the Atlanta skyline.

Evening Balloon Glows

The nighttime balloon glows are a photographer’s challenge but so rewarding. Capturing the rhythmic pulses of fire and light requires adjusting your camera settings. But get it right, and your photos will be epic! The glowing balloons create incredible light trails and effects. Use a tripod and play around with long exposures.

Other Photo Hotspots

Keep your camera ready because this whole festival is a photographic paradise! Whimsical hot air balloon designs make for delightful portrait shots. Don’t miss snapping the balloons with kids, entertainers, and vibrant fair scenery in the background. Food shots are also a must with all the tasty festival fare.

Photo Contest

The festival hosts an annual photo contest! Submit your best shots across categories like balloons, family fun, and nature for a chance at prizes. Check their website and socials for entry details. Use the hashtag #AtlantaBalloonFest when sharing your awesome festival pics online.

Organizer’s Information

Stay Connected Want to stay up-to-date on all the latest Hot Air Balloon Festival Atlanta details? Be sure to check out their website and social media channels. They post sneak peeks of balloon designs, entertainment announcements, contests, and more. Use the hashtag #AtlantaBalloonFest to join the online conversation. The festival staff is super friendly and happy to assist with any inquiries about attending, participating as a pilot/vendor, sponsorships, etc.

Get In Touch Have any other questions about the event? Reach out directly to the organizers:

• Email: stuart@balloonatlanta.com
• Phone: +1 678-523-0616

In their website, you’ll find:

• Dates and schedule of events
• Ticket purchasing and pricing details
• Performer and vendor lineups
• Maps and parking instructions
• Photo galleries from past festivals
• Pilot and sponsorship info

Atlanta Hot Air Balloon Festival Social Media Sites

Conclusion

You Have to Experience It! Honestly, no words can really do justice to the Hot Air Balloon Festival Atlanta. It’s one of those events you just have to experience for yourself. Seeing all those giant, colorful balloons drifting across the sky in formation – it’s straight up magical. And the nighttime glows when the balloons light up in rhythm with music? Mind-blowingly cool.

But the balloons are just the start of the fun. This festival is a full-blown party with activities, entertainment, and food galore. littles one have a blast in the kids’ areas while adults enjoy live music, drinks, and epic photo ops. Mark Those Dates If you’re anywhere near Atlanta in late May or early June, do yourself a favor and go. It’s an unmissable summer experience! Rally up your crew – friends, family, kids, everyone. This is one of those perfect weekend getaways for creating lasting memories.

Between the uplifting daytime balloon launches, nighttime glows, fair foods on a stick, and nonstop smiles all around, the Atlanta Balloon Fest is pure feel-good vibes. You’ll leave saying “Wow, that was awesome!” and start counting down till next year’s return. It’s a uniquely wonderful Atlanta tradition you won’t want to miss.

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