FAQ

The 2026 National Balloon Classic: July 31 – August 8. The 9-day event is located at the Memorial Balloon Field in Indianola, Iowa.

General Admission Tickets are $12 per evening session (purchased in advance), $15 per evening session purchased at an official retail location or at the gate. Gate sales are cash-free – card or mobile payments only. Ticket fees will be added at checkout for each ticket purchased, including retail and gate sales. General Admission tickets are valid for one evening session of choice, July 25-August 2, 2025. General Admission Tickets do not sell out; attendance capacity at the Memorial Balloon Field is not limited.

MORNING FLIGHTS: Morning flights begin on Saturday, July 26.
Gates are open from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m., so guests can enjoy watching the competition flights (weather permitting). Pilot briefings, including a weather report, are held 30 minutes before flights. Flight announcements are not made until after the pilot briefing. Please be aware that parking and viewing are at your own risk (no parking/gate attendant); guests are responsible for their own safety and belongings. All National Balloon Classic policies are in force: no pets, smoking/vaping, or outside food or beverages. Select vendors are open for food, coffee, and other beverage purchases. Chair rental is available. Admission and parking are free-will donations for mornings only.

EVENING FLIGHTS: Gates open at 4:00 p.m.
Weather permitting, hot air balloons are scheduled to launch each evening at 6:30 p.m. Pilot briefings, including a weather report, are held 30 minutes before flights. Flight announcements are not made until after the pilot briefing. General Admission tickets include all evening entertainment. If it is unsafe to launch hot air balloons, other scheduled entertainment will go on unless safety is a concern.

For evening flights, arriving at 4 p.m., when gates open, will ensure less traffic and parking delays, particularly on weekends and for the Nite Glow Extravaganza.

At this time, a park and ride option to the Memorial Balloon Field is unavailable; however, there is generous, on-site parking, and the earlier you arrive, the earlier you avoid traffic and parking delays.

• Guests with a visible ADA placard can park in ADA-accessible spaces. Upon arrival, a parking attendant will direct you to the designated parking area across the street from the main entrance gate. Please be aware that the Memorial Balloon Field and Spectator Parking are grassy, landscaped fields that are not paved. Accessible seating is located directly inside the main entrance gate.

All National Balloon Classic events depend on prevailing weather conditions and are subject to delays or cancellations. Surface winds and winds aloft can vary greatly; maximum safe surface wind speeds are 8-10 mph. Every effort is made for a successful balloon flight. Safety is our first priority. Pilot briefings, including a weather report, are held 30 minutes before flights. Flight announcements are not made until after the pilot briefing. Last-minute decisions are the norm in ballooning; winds aloft can quickly change. Weather announcements will be made on our Facebook page; however, taking a “wait and see” approach may result in arriving too late and missing a beautiful night of balloon gazing and phenomenal entertainment.

The National Balloon Classic is a weather-dependent event, and tickets are nonrefundable.

Every effort is made for a successful balloon flight; the safety of our pilots, crew, and guests is our first priority. Purchasing a ticket allows guests to enjoy one evening session (nine nights to choose from), free access to watch morning competition flights (no ticket required; a free will donation is appreciated), and free parking both mornings and evenings. If it is unsafe to launch hot air balloons, other scheduled entertainment will continue unless safety is a concern. Tickets are valid July 25 – August 2, 2025, only.

• At the National Balloon Classic, hot air balloons fly twice daily: in the morning and in the evening (there is no morning flight on Friday, July 25). Evening “sessions” begin when the gates open at 4:00 p.m. and last until 9-10 p.m., depending on the evening entertainment. For example, Nite Glows and Drone Shows do not start until dusk/dark and will end later. A General Admission ticket is good for any one evening session. Please note: There are no activities during the day at the balloon field; gates are locked between 9 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. This is the perfect time to explore our charming community and experience all it offers.

• Bring a lawn chair or blanket for seating. Chairs are not provided, but they are available to rent on a first-come, first-served basis. The balloon field is an open, manicured grassy field that provides perfect views from all areas. It is an ideal space to unplug and unwind.
• Backpacks/bags (1 per person) are allowed, but ALL bags are subject to inspection. Clear bags will expedite the inspection process.
• Each guest is allowed to have one clear, plastic, unopened water bottle.

• No weapons of any kind, including knives over 4” blade length.
• No drones, laser pointers, fireworks, lighters, or flames of any kind.
• No animals, with the exception of a service animal.
• No tents or large umbrellas that obstruct views.
• No outside food/drink, or coolers, with the exception of one clear, plastic, unopened water bottle. No alcohol of any kind.
• No solicitation; no religious or political paraphernalia.
• No campers, tents, or ATVs. RV parking is allowed in designated lots only during event hours, with no overnights.

During the evening sessions, a wide variety of food concessions—from food trucks to food stands—are ready to serve guests. Limited food vendors, serving breakfast and coffee, are available during the morning flight viewings.

The official National Balloon Classic Gift Shop is located by the main entrance. There, you will find T-shirts, hats, bug spray and other necessities, complete sets of balloon cards, souvenirs, exclusive products made in Iowa, glow gear, and other fun stuff.

• 2026: July 31 – August 8
• 2027: July 30 – August 7
• 2028: July 28 – August 5