The Plano Balloon Festival returns to Oak Point Park/Red Tail Pavilion September 17–20, 2026, bringing more than 35 hot-air balloons, evening balloon glows, morning launches, live music, skydivers, fireworks and family activities to Plano.
But there is one thing first-time visitors should understand:
The balloons aren't sitting in the park all day.
They're scheduled around dawn and dusk, and the festival specifically notes that balloons are not in the park between 9 AM and 7 PM. Balloon activities are also dependent on weather and wind conditions.
That makes when you go much more important than simply deciding which day to attend.
Plano Balloon Festival 2026 at a Glance
Day | Festival Hours | Balloon Highlight |
|---|---|---|
Thursday, Sept. 17 | 5–10 PM | 7:30 PM Balloon Glow |
Friday, Sept. 18 | 4–10 PM | 7:30 PM Balloon Glow |
Saturday, Sept. 19 | 6 AM–10 PM | Morning balloons + evening events |
Sunday, Sept. 20 | 6–11 AM | Morning balloons |
The festival takes place at Oak Point Park/Red Tail Pavilion, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano.
When Is the Best Time to See the Balloons?
This is probably the most useful thing to know before making plans.
Hot-air balloons operate when conditions allow, so the scheduled balloon activity is concentrated around dawn and dusk rather than throughout the day.
Thursday and Friday include scheduled 7:30 PM balloon glows. Saturday and Sunday mornings bring the opportunity to see balloons launch over Plano, weather permitting.
If the balloons are the primary reason you're going, plan around those windows rather than simply arriving in the middle of the afternoon.
What Else Happens at the Festival?
There's considerably more than ballooning.
The 2026 schedule includes the Plano Symphony's Big Band Concert Thursday evening, Midtown 10 Friday, the Plano Community Band and Collin County Children's Chorus Saturday morning, and Ice House Band Saturday evening.
RE/MAX skydivers are scheduled each afternoon at 6 PM, and custom fireworks shows are planned Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
There are also food vendors, merchandise vendors, a Central Market Kids Fun Zone and Kids Korner Art Tent.
How Much Are Plano Balloon Festival Tickets?
Current 2026 general admission pricing is:
Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
Adults | $10 |
Children ages 3–12 | $5 |
Seniors 65+ | $5 |
Children 36 inches and under | Free |
Military with valid ID | Free |
Tickets can be purchased online or at festival gates. The festival's official ticket page says onsite admission, parking and Kids Fun Zone ticket purchases are cashless and accept credit/debit cards and Apple Pay.
Official Plano Balloon Festival tickets
Where Should You Park?
There are several options, and this is worth figuring out before you leave home.
Prime parking — $15 per vehicle
Locations include Collin College Spring Creek Campus, Oak Point Recreation Center, First United Methodist Church and Community Unitarian Universalist Church.
Off-site parking — $10 per vehicle
Plano Event Center at 2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway.
There's also a free festival bus from DART's Parker Road Station, running continuously during festival hours and dropping passengers at Admission Gate 4. The Parker Road Station is also the designated festival rideshare pickup/drop-off location.
Festival organizers note that Spring Creek Parkway becomes heavily congested and publish alternate approaches through Jupiter Road. Spring Creek Parkway between Jupiter and Parker Roads will be closed to traffic during the event.
Official festival parking and transportation information
Is the Plano Balloon Festival Worth Going to If You Live Here?
I think this is where events like the Balloon Festival become more interesting than simply another entry on a weekend calendar.
Plano is often described through its employment centers, shopping districts and established neighborhoods. Events like this show another side of the city.
And that's a theme I've been writing about throughout North Texas.
I recently looked at how Fairview's food scene has grown far beyond what people might expect from a town its size, and why Frisco and McKinney can rank #1 and #2 nationally while offering very different versions of North Texas life.
The Balloon Festival is another example of why understanding a community requires more than looking at houses.
Sometimes the things residents return to year after year tell you just as much about a place.
Plano Balloon Festival FAQs
When is the Plano Balloon Festival in 2026?
September 17–20, 2026.
Where is it?
Oak Point Park/Red Tail Pavilion, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano.
Are the balloons there all day?
No. Festival organizers specifically state that balloons are not in the park between 9 AM and 7 PM. Balloon activities are scheduled around morning and evening conditions.
How much does admission cost?
Adults are $10; children ages 3–12 and seniors 65+ are $5; children 36 inches and under and military members with valid ID receive complimentary admission.
Is there a DART option?
Yes. A free festival bus operates continuously from DART Parker Road Station during festival hours.
Are the balloon launches guaranteed?
No. Balloon launches, glows, displays and tethered rides depend on weather and wind conditions.
For the current schedule, balloon updates and event information:
