Aerial Delights: Discovering New Jersey's 4 Must-See Hot Air Balloon Festivals
Introduction
Known as the Garden State, New Jersey is home to a surprising number of gorgeous hot air balloon festivals.
Here are the four you have to check out this year!
The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning
Dates: Canceled in 2024 (will take place in July 2025)
Location: Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey
Price: General admission tickets cost $40 for adults and $15 for children aged 4-12
Prepare to be amazed at the New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning, one of the biggest events in the state.
Featuring live entertainment, up to 100 special shape and sport hot air balloons, concerts, food and craft vendors, and more.
The New Jersey Lottery Festival of Ballooning is “the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America” and has received The New Jersey Governor's Award for Best Special Event, and is rated by NJ Monthly as "The #1 thing to do in New Jersey"
Unfortunately, it has been canceled for 2024, but be sure to mark your calendars for July 2025, when the skies above Solberg Airport in Readington, New Jersey, will fill with hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes.
General admission tickets are $40 for adults and $15 for children aged 4-12.
Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival
Dates: June 1 & 2, 2024
Location: Warren Community College, Washington, New Jersey
Price: $10 adults | $5 youth ages 3-12 | Free 3 and under
Enjoy a full weekend of entertainment and creativity at the Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival held at Warren Community College in Washington, New Jersey.
The event will take place June 1 & 2, 2024, with tickets priced at an affordable $10 for adults, $5 for youth ages 3-12, and free for children 3 and under.
The festival offers not only the breathtaking sight of hot air balloons as they drift into the sky but also offers fun, interactive guided arts and crafts as well as plenty of local arts and crafts vendors. Along with the arts, crafts, and balloons, there will be live entertainment and even a battle robot competition.
Don't miss this chance to experience the magic of ballooning combined with the charm of local creators and artists.
Hot Air Balloon Festival at Warren County Farmers Fair
Dates: July 27–August 3, 2024
Location: Farmers' Fair in Harmony, New Jersey
Price: Ticket info coming soon
A local favorite since 2001, the Hot Air Balloon Festival during the Warren County Farmers Fair in Harmony, New Jersey offers festivalgoers a full week of excitement and entertainment.
From July 27 to August 3, 2024, the fairgrounds will be transformed into the home of thrilling rides, delicious food, and of course, breathtaking hot air balloon flights.
Other exciting events that will take place during the festival include the Traditional Arts Expo, Kids' Corral, 4-H shows and competitions, and plenty of free concerts featuring local bands. Another exciting aspect of the festival will be a beer garden highlighting the popular local Czig Meister Brewery.
New this year is the Black Cat Hell Riders stunt car show on the opening Saturday, where attendees can enjoy “precision driving, Divebomber crash, Roll overs, Motorcycle firewall, reverse spins, two wheel driving and more” for $12 more.
Hot Air Balloons Fun & Games Festival
Dates: September 21–22, 2024
Location: Warren County Community College, Washington, New Jersey
Price: Ticket info coming soon
It’s all fun and games at the Hot Air Balloons Fun & Games Festival hosted at Warren County Community College in Washington, New Jersey, set to take place on September 21–22, 2024.
This popular festival promises to be a weekend filled with non-stop entertainment including a wide variety of games, activities, live music, tethered balloon rides and, of course, the main attraction—colorful hot air balloons filling the sky.
This year, celebrate Halloween a little bit early with the featured special-shaped balloon this year, Fred G Monster, a spooky green monster balloon.
Stay tuned for ticket information as the event date approaches, and make sure to bring your friends and family along for an unforgettable weekend of fun and festivities.
Conclusion
Whether you spend your summer enjoying a tethered ride and stunt car show at the Hot Air Balloon Festival at Warren County Farmers Fair in Harmony or you celebrate Halloween early with Fred G Monster at the Hot Air Balloons Fun & Games Festival in Washington, you won’t want to miss these beautiful New Jersey hot air balloon festivals this year.
With entertainment, games, rides, and a whole slew of family-friendly activities that balloon enthusiasts and newbies alike can enjoy, there are options for everyone at each of these unique, vibrant festivals.
And even though you will have to wait until 2025 to attend "The #1 thing to do in New Jersey,” you can prepare for next year’s excitement with one of the many options available to you this summer and fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can you see NJ Balloon Festival?
You can see NJ balloon festivals across the state in Washington, Harmony, and Reading, New Jersey.
Is the New Jersey Balloon Festival canceled for 2024 due to increased costs?
Yes, the New Jersey Balloon Festival is canceled for 2024 due to “rising costs, supply chain interruptions and problems with vendors,” but the festival is planned to return in 2025.
Where is there a hot air balloon festival?
There are hot air balloon festivals across the country and the world, but the largest one is in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Where is hot air balloon festival celebrated?
The hot air balloon festivals are celebrated worldwide, but the most famous balloon festivals take place in Albuquerque, NM, Reno, NV, Bristol, UL, and Saga, Japan.
Why are hot air balloon rides so expensive?
Hot air balloons require a special pilot’s license to fly and use a lot of fuel, and the fuel cost can fluctuate, leading to higher and ever-changing hot air balloon ride prices. For more info, read our breakdown on why are hot air balloon rides so expensive?