This is a totally family-friendly event with tons to do during the Weekend. We have the scoop for you ahead of the Plano Balloon Festival.
This year, the Plano Balloon Festival will be on September 17 – 20, 2026.
Find out where to get tickets, pricing, things to do at the event, driving directions and parking, and so much more!
More: A Family Fun Guide to Halloween, Pumpkin Patches and Fall Festivals
Here is what’s in store for the fun weekend ahead at the H-E-B Central Market Plano Balloon Festival.
When:
Doors open at 5 pm on Thursday, September 17, at Oak Point Park, City of Plano.
Friday, September 18, 4 pm – 10 pm
Saturday, September 19 from 6 am – 10 pm
Sunday, September 20, from 6 am – 11 am
Where
Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX 75074
Driving Directions
Driving Routes from Central Expressway include:
- Exiting at George Bush / 190, Plano Parkway, Park Blvd., or Parker Rd.
- Travel eastward to Jupiter Road and continue north.
- Follow the signs for the nearest parking lot.
- Spring Creek Parkway between Jupiter and Parker Roads will be closed to traffic.
Parking
Most parking will cost about $15 for one-time entry.
Check these good places to park.
Collin College Spring Creek Campus
2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, Texas 75074
Get Directions
Oak Point Recreation Center
6000 Jupiter Road
Plano, Texas 75074
(Intersection of Jupiter and Spring Creek Parkway)
Get Directions
First United Methodist Church
3160 E. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, Texas 75074
(Intersection of Parker Road and Spring Creek Parkway)
Get Directions
Community Unitarian Universalist Church
2875 E Parker Rd
Plano, Texas 75074
Get Directions
Offsite Parking is another option. It’ll cost $10 to park at Plano Event Center, but you will have a longer walk.
Some visitors also park at the local Dart station on Parker Road and take a free bus ride to get there.
Tickets
You can pre-purchase your tickets or buy them at the door. Reminder, this is an outdoor event, and no refunds are given. Tickets are available onsite; no need to worry about them selling out.
All Plano ISD elementary students usually get a complimentary ticket to get in free to the festival for one of the days, so check those backpacks!
These are all online prices. Buying at the gate will cost you more!
$11.60 for a 1-day ticket for ages 12+Â
$6.50 for a 1-day ticket for Kids aged 3-12 and for Seniors 65+Â
Free Tickets are available for Kids who are under 36 inches and for all Military and First Responders.
For the Kids’ Fun Zone, you can purchase a wristband for all-day play which is valid on Inflatable and Mechanical rides only for $22.25.
More: Check out all the Fall Festivals in Dallas & Collin County
What Events and Attractions will you find at the Plano Balloon Festival?
If you have never been to the Plano Balloon Festival, you are in for a real treat, especially if the weather allows a balloon launch.
This is one of Plano’s biggest events, and it is so much fun!
The biggest attractions are the Balloons, of course.
The Balloons will be in the park Thursday at 6 pm, Friday at 6 pm, Saturday at 7 am and 6 pm, and Sunday at 7 am (*weather permitting). The Balloon Glow will be each night at 7.30 pm. Balloon launch will be on Saturday and Sunday at 7 am (weather permitting).
If you love hot air ballooning, there will be 30+ beautiful, colorful balloons lighting up and taking off into the sky 2x a day, along with a fun ‘glow’ that happens each night. (This is fun for the kids!)
The 12 featured Special Shapes that are participating this year include Joelly the Baby Bee, Betty Jean the Butterfly, Tomcat, Terry Mouse, Bimbo Bear, High Kitty, Peg Leg Pete the Pirate Parrot, Humpty Dumpty, Love Birds, Annie the Lady Bug, SpyderPig, and the always popular High Jack.
A Parachute Team will perform on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons at 6 pm by jumping from their plane over the park and landing right in the middle of the launch field.
Local Bands will perform Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, and Community Groups will be performing on the main stage throughout the event.
FIREWORKS will go off on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 9 pm!
To top it all off, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, there will be a Balloon GLOW after dark that is a must see! Get there around 7 pm to get a good spot on the lawn or hills for the best view.
You can step onto the ground with the balloons to get a close-up look, also.
Enjoy a Kids’ Fun Zone
Ticket Booths open Thursday 5 pm – 9.30 pm | Friday 4 pm – 9 pm | Saturday 7 am – 9 pm | Sunday 7 am – 11 am
Rides open Thursday 5 pm – 9.30 pm | Friday 4 pm – 10 pm | Saturday 7 am – 10 pm | Sunday 7 am – 11 am
Enjoy the fun and interactive inflatable rides this year in the Kids Fun Zone. Race through the obstacle courses, zip down the huge slides, ride the pirate ship, or the berry-go-round. Children can enjoy the creative make-and-take art activities in the FREE Kids Korner as they make their way through the different craft stations and explore the Plano Symphony Orchestra Instrument Area.
What activities are there for Younger Kids?
For Toddlers, they can experience the fun of inflatables that are just their size.
Children can enjoy the creative make-and-take art activities in our FREE Kids Korner as they make their way through the different craft stations.
Get your Face Painted and explore music at the Plano Symphony Orchestra Instrument Area.
More: Head down to Visit State Fair of Texas With Kids & Save Money too!
How much are the balloon and plane rides? How old for kids to ride the balloon?
Our own PLANO MOM, The Rev. Leslie Stewart, a former F-16 pilot, will be the official CHAPLAIN to the pilots at the Plano Balloon Festival.
How neat! Thanks for sharing this!
What happens Sunday morning at the Plano Balloon Festival?