News Blog

Event Spotlight: Adirondack Balloon Festival

Posted on 9/4/2026

Every September, the Lake George Region takes family fun to new heights with the Adirondack Balloon Festival. Held annually over four days, this spectacular event features multiple flights of hot air balloons, as well as craft and food vendors, kids’ activities, and live entertainment. It is one only a few festivals of its kind that is still free to attend, and easily one of the Lake George Region’s most popular fall activities.

Adirondack Balloon Festival Details

The Adirondack Balloon Festival is held every year in mid-to-late September, with this year’s event set for September 17-20, 2026. The full schedule of events is posted annually in July on the Adirondack Balloon Festival website and Facebook page, but it follows roughly the same format each year.

The opening ceremony is typically held Thursday evening at Crandall Park in Glens Falls, NY, followed by a balloon launch of 10-15 balloons. Morning launches are held at approximately 6:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury, NY, and evening launches are typically scheduled for Friday and Saturday at 5:00 PM, with a Moonglow lit balloon event on Saturday night. 

The craft fair, food vendors and kids’ activities are open throughout the day. However, all ballooning activities are weather permitting. Balloons will not launch if it is raining or wind speeds exceed 8-10 mph. It’s also worth noting that the festival does not schedule or book hot air balloon rides, but some participating pilots and local businesses offer balloon rides independently. 

Getting to the Adirondack Balloon Festival

The Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport is located at 443 Queensbury Avenue in Queensbury, NY. Although general parking and entry to the Adirondack Balloon Festival is free, the event draws upwards of 100,000 spectators over four days, so traffic backups are common. 

Peak traffic times are between 3:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM on Saturday and Sunday, so leave yourself plenty of travel time. Get directions. 

Where to Stay for the Adirondack Balloon Festival

The Lake Crest Inn is located less than 12 miles from the Adirondack Balloon Festival grounds, and features a variety of family-friendly motel rooms and suites, as well as an onsite Breakfast Café, pool (in season) and private beach. 

Enjoy views of Lake George and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains, and take advantage of our discounted rates after Labor Day. To check room rates and availability for the Adirondack Balloon Festival, call 518-668-3374 or book online.