Morning · Saturday & Sunday
Morning Balloon Launches
7:30–8:30 AM
Planned for shortly after sunrise, when the air is calm. Competing pilots also launch off-site and fly in toward targets on Airstream Field.
Morning Balloon Launches
Friday–Sunday
16th AnnualArizonaBalloonClassic
January 15–17, 2027
Wild Horse Pass Festival GroundsChandler, Arizona
16 Years of Soaring Above the Valley of the Sun!Phoenix & the Valley of the Sun’s longest continuously running hot air balloon race & festival!
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Tickets on sale soon.
Proudly Supported By
When can I see the balloons?
Morning Balloon Launches on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Tethered Balloon Rides every evening, plus Saturday and Sunday mornings. Evening Desert Glows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Balloons are not flying or inflated all day.
- Morning Balloon Launches
- Saturday & Sunday7:30–8:30 AM
- Tethered Balloon Rides
- Daily4:30–9 PM
- Saturday & Sunday7–10 AM
- Evening Desert Glows
- Friday, Saturday & Sunday7–9 PM
All balloon activities are weather permitting. Check balloon status and event updates before you arrive.
Morning & evening · Fri–Sun
Tethered Balloon Rides
4:30–9 PM daily
7–10 AM Sat & Sun
Ride up in a balloon that stays tied to the ground. Separate from the Morning Balloon Launches and Evening Desert Glows.
Tethered Balloon Rides
Evening · Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Evening Desert Glows
7–9 PM
After sunset, balloons stay on the ground and light up with their burners. Walk Airstream Field, take photos, and meet the pilots and crews.
Evening Desert GlowsComing soon · With Rainbow Ryders
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Leave the ground and fly. Dates, times, and booking details are coming soon.
All balloon activities are weather permitting.
Wind, rain, or unsafe conditions can delay or cancel balloon operations. Check the latest balloon status and event updates before arriving.
Three days at ABC16
Planned hours and balloon times for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Friday
· Open 4–9 PM
- 4 PMGates open
- From 4 PMDuncan Food Fest ExperienceLive Local MusicFamily Fun ZoneShopping, Services & Specialty Vendors
- 4:30–9 PMTethered Balloon RidesWeather permitting
- 7–9 PMEvening Desert GlowWeather permitting
Saturday
· Open 7 AM–9 PM
- 7:30–8:30 AMMorning Balloon LaunchWeather permitting
- 7–10 AMTethered Balloon RidesWeather permitting
- 11 AM–4 PMClassic Car Show
- All dayDuncan Food Fest ExperienceLive Local MusicFamily Fun ZoneShopping, Services & Specialty Vendors
- 4:30–9 PMTethered Balloon RidesWeather permitting
- 7–9 PMEvening Desert GlowWeather permitting
Sunday
· Open 7 AM–9 PM
- 7:30–8:30 AMMorning Balloon LaunchWeather permitting
- 7–10 AMTethered Balloon RidesWeather permitting
- 11 AM–4 PMClassic Car Show
- All dayDuncan Food Fest ExperienceLive Local MusicFamily Fun ZoneShopping, Services & Specialty Vendors
- 4:30–9 PMTethered Balloon RidesWeather permitting
- 7–9 PMEvening Desert GlowWeather permitting
Plan your visit
Where
Wild Horse Pass Festival GroundsFormer Wild Horse Pass Stadium
19593 S 48th St
Chandler, AZ 85226
Gila River Indian CommunityGet Directions(opens Google Maps)
Planned hours
- Friday
- 4–9 PM
- Saturday
- 7 AM–9 PM
- Sunday
- 7 AM–9 PM
Dress in layers. January mornings in the desert are cold, afternoons warm up, and evenings get chilly after sunset.
Experience ABC16
Balloons morning, afternoon, and night, plus food, cars, music, family fun, and shopping all weekend.
As Seen on ABC’s Good Morning America
Good Morning America featured the Arizona Balloon Classic as Arizona’s big events returned.
Watch the Feature(opens in a new tab)
The 16th Annual Arizona Balloon Classic
Returning to Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds, where the event began in 2011. Expect 20,000+ guests and 30+ hot air balloon teams.
Produced by Arizona Events Group
ABC16 · January 15–17, 2027
Three days.Arizona skies.ABC16.
January 15–17, 2027 at Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds. Tickets on sale soon.
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