The 47th Carolina BalloonFest takes place October 14th to 16th, 2022, at Statesville Regional Airport, 260 Hangar Drive, Statesville, North Carolina. It’s 45 miles from Charlotte.
- Friday, October 14th: 3 to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 15th: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday, October 16th: 7 a.m to 6 p.m.
The festival features:
- Hot air balloon morning competitions
- Mass ascensions
- Evening balloon glows
- Live entertainment on two stages
- A kids’ zone
- Marketplace
- Artisan village
- NC wine and craft beer garden
- Aerialist circus performances
- Skydiving exhibitions
Fall is looking great around Charlotte, whether you’re looking for something spooky or totally kid-friendly! Check out our HUGE list of fall festivals, a big list of Halloween parties, Trick or Treat events, and our list of pumpkin patches, haunted trails and corn mazes!
Tickets for Carolina BalloonFest
One day tickets for Friday are $15, and one day tickets for Saturday and Sunday are $20. These general admission tickets include free parking at the Troutman Park & Ride, at the Iredell County Fairgrounds, 630 N. Main Street, Troutman, and a free shuttle back and forth.
You can also purchase a general parking pass for $10, so that you can park next to the festival.
Children ages 12 and under are admitted for free.
Sunday, October 16th, is Military Appreciation Day. Veterans and active military service people are admitted for free with military service ID.
Carolina BalloonFest Schedule
Please note that some events might be canceled or have their schedule changed if weather or safety concerns require it.
Friday
- 3 p.m.: Gates open
- 3 to 7 p.m.: Kids’ Zone
- 3 to 7 p.m.: NC Wine & Craft Beer Garden
- 3 to 8:15 p.m.: Main stage entertainment
- 4 to 5:30 p.m.: Mass Ascension Launch Window
- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Evening Balloon Glow Window
- 8:30 p.m.: Gates close
Saturday
- 7 a.m.: Gates open
- 8 to 9:30 a.m.: Hot air balloon competition launch window
- 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Kids’ Zone
- 10 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.: Main stage entertainment
- 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.: NC Wine & Craft Beer Garden
- 2 to 3 p.m.: Pilot Meet & Greet
- 4 to 5:30 p.m.: Mass Ascension launch window
- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Evening balloon glow window
- 8:30 p.m.: Gates close
Sunday
- 7 a.m.: Gates open
- 8 to 9:30 a.m.: Hot air balloon competition launch window
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Kids’ Zone
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Main stage entertainment
- 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.: NC Wine & Craft Beer Garden
- 2 to 3 p.m.: Pilot Meet & Greet
- 4 to 5:30 p.m.: Mass Ascension Launch Window
- 6 p.m.: Gates close
Main Stage Entertainment
Friday
- 3 p.m.: Bing Futch
- 5 p.m.: Dani Kerr and the Skeleton Crew
- 7:30 p.m.: Albannach
Saturday
- 10 a.m.: LeeD Not Follow
- 11:30 a.m.: Albannach
- 12:45 p.m.: The Broad Pick Ups
- 2:15 p.m.: Coddle Creek
- 3:45 p.m.: Time Sawyer
- 5:15 p.m.: N-Spire
- 7:30 p.m.: Albannach
Sunday
- 10 a.m.: Suavocodos
- 11:30 a.m.: Love Not Money
- 2:30 p.m.: Part Time Blues Band
- 4:30 p.m.: Albannach
- 5:30 p.m.: Bryan Olson
Kids’ Zone
- Magic shows and inflatables are free.
- Bungee Jump: $8
- Walk-in balloon: $2 (or $5 for 3 guests)
Friday
- 3 to 8:30 p.m.: Kids’ Zone open
Saturday
- 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.: Kids’ Zone open
- 11:30 a.m.: Mr. Marvel’s Magic Show
- 1 p.m.: The Interactive Theatre of Jef
- 2 p.m.: Mr. Marvel’s Magic Show
- 3 p.m.: The Interactive Theatre of Jef
- 4 p.m.: Mr. Marvel’s Magic Show
Friday
- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Kids’ Zone open
- 12 p.m.: Mr. Marvel’s Magic Show
- 1 p.m.: The Interactive Theatre of Jef
- 2 p.m.: Mr. Marvel’s Magic Show
- 3 p.m.: The Interactive Theatre of Jef
- 4 p.m.: Mr. Marvel’s Magic Show
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Festivals
Learn about all the fall festivals in Charlotte, or look at a quick list of upcoming festivals here:
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