It’s that time again — the 34th Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival, hosted by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce returns Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29, 30 and 31. This annual event has become one of the most popular weekends for visitors to flock to Dutchess County, and for good reason. Tymor Park is a scenic venue for more than a hundred vibrant balloons to take flight!
The weekend is an Instagram dream with sunrise and sunset photo ops as the balloons launch into the sky! Throughout the day, enjoy vendors offering craft beverage tastings, specialty foods, helicopter rides, gifts and more! Balloonists will have room to launch and fly in all directions, resulting in unforgettable 360 degree views.
Don’t just come to the fest to watch the balloons, experience one for yourself! Try a tethered hot-air balloon ride for $30 (cash-only at fest). Limited full flight balloon rides will be available by advance purchase only. Schedule morning or evening flights for golden hour views and memories that will last a lifetime. To reserve your untethered hot-air balloon ride over the Hudson Valley, click here.
Not into the balloon rides? The Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival is a magical experience from the ground as well. Local chefs bring their a-game through onsite food trucks, serving up delicious Thai, Mexican, Jamaican, farm-to-table American and Mediterranean tapas. Plus, sample Hudson Valley craft beer, cider, wine and more. Live music builds an incredible energy at the festival from 3–8 p.m. each day: Apollo's Gate, The Crew Band, and Ginger's Revenge take the stage for Labor Day weekend jams.
There's also a balloon walk, where visitors can check out the view from inside one of the massive, colorful balloons. The two weekend fest days kick off with sunrise yoga as the balloons take off. Then, each evening culminates in a Hot-Air Balloon Illumination Moon Glow event followed by a dazzling fireworks show. The kids will love the Drone Zone obstacle course featuring safe, supervised and contained drones; the daily Wild World of Animal Show presented by the Two by Two Animal Haven; and The Bubble Zone bubble-blowing extravaganza. Plus, new for 2025 is the Ride On Car Rentals experience! Perfect for kids ages 3–8, this activity lets little ones hop behind the wheel of their own electric mini-vehicle and cruise around a fun, designated course.
Afternoon launches are at 5:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and mornings at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival runs Friday, 2:30–8:30 p.m.; Saturday, 5:30–9 a.m. and 2:30–8:30 p.m.; and Sunday 5:30–9 a.m. and 2:30–8:30 p.m. A live pilot presentation "All About Ballooning" educates visitors each day at 4 p.m. prior to the evening launch. To view the full schedule of events, click here.
Related: Make a weekend out of it! Click here to see hotel and bed and breakfast listings in the area.
Tymor Park is the largest town park in New York State and the venue for the ever-popular Hudson Valley Hot-Air Balloon Festival. This scenic 500-acre stretch of land was once an iron mine during the American Revolution. Today, its miles of trails, disc golf courses and the stunning Fishkill Creek draw hikers and recreational athletes.
Follow the Fest on social media #HVBalloonFest for updates all Labor Day weekend!
