The Carolina BalloonFest takes place October 20 to 22, 2023, at Statesville Regional Airport, 260 Hangar Drive, Statesville, North Carolina. It’s 45 miles from Charlotte.
- Friday, October 20: 3 to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 21: 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday, October 22: 7 a.m to 6 p.m.
The festival features:
- Mass Ascensions
- Fly overs
- Friday and Saturday evening Balloon Glow
- Hot air balloon competitions
- Hot air balloon flights
- Tethered balloon rides
- Skydiving exhbition
- Main Stage entertainment
- Wine & Craft Beer Garden
- Kids Zone & Stage
- Walk In Balloon
- Pilot Meet & Greet
- Artisan Village and Marketplace
- Eat Street and Beer Tent
Please your own lawn chair.
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 22, 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
- 1:45 p.m.: Skydiving exhibition
- 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.: The Get Right Band
- 7:30 p.m.: Balloon Glow
- 7:30 p.m.: Albannach
Saturday
- 10 a.m.: LeeD Not Follow
- 11:15 p.m.: Bing Futch
- 12:45 p.m.: Albannach
- 2 p.m.: Darrell Harwood
- 3:45 p.m.: Bing Futch
- 5:15 p.m.: The Way Down Wanderers
- 6:30 p.m.: Balloon Glow
- 7:30 p.m.: Albannach
Sunday
- 10 a.m.: Bryan Olson
- 11:30 a.m.: The NonProphets
- 1 p.m.: Dani Kerr and the Skeleton Crew
- 2:15 p.m.: Nspire
- 4:15 p.m.: Bing Futch
- 5:15 p.m.: Albannach
Kids’ Zone
- Magic shows and inflatables are free.
- 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
- 12:30 p.m.: Imagine Circus
Sunday
- 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Kids’ Zone open
- 12:30 p.m.: Imagine Circus
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
Check out this list of the biggest fall festivals and Halloween events in Charlotte (or just keep reading for a list of upcoming festivals.)
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