The annual Great Smoky Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival is held every August near the Townsend Visitor's Center in Townsend, Tennessee. A one-day, family-friendly event features live entertainment, food, beer, a kids zone, and more.
Festival Highlights
The main highlight of the festival is the evening balloon glow, when the skies get illuminated by beautiful balloons that look like giant paper lanterns with the scenic Tennessee Smoky Mountain landscapes in the background. Tethered hot-air balloon rides will also be offered at the festival from 4 to 9 pm.
Activities
Visitors can enjoy a magical sunset in the mountains along with various fun activities, like listening to live music from Tennessee bands, shopping at the arts and crafts fair, delighting food at the food truck court, and immersing themselves in beautiful nature.
Tickets
For general admission to the festival, children aged twelve and under can enter for free, but the balloon ride is not included. On the day of the event, the entrance fee is $10, while the pre-purchased price is $7. If you're interested in a tethered balloon ride, it's available for ages eight and above, priced at $25. These rides typically last approximately ten minutes. The Prepaid parking option covers parking on-site but does not include the cost of a balloon ride or the festival entrance fee. This option costs $20.
For an elevated experience, visitors can consider the VIP ticket. With this ticket, they'll have access to on-site event parking and the VIP tent throughout the day. In addition to the perks mentioned earlier, such as a sit-down buffet meal, and live music during dinner, attendees will also get a balloon ride at a time of their choice. The VIP ticket costs $200.
Rules & Restrictions
In the interest of a smooth and enjoyable festival experience for all attendees, a few friendly reminders are in place. To ensure a clean and safe environment, outside food and beverages are not permitted on the festival grounds. While some bleachers are provided for seating, bringing an easy-to-carry foldable chair is highly recommended. It's important to note that large canopies and pop-up tents are not allowed at the festival. This ensures that everyone has an unobstructed view of the magnificent balloons. Umbrellas are welcome for sun or rain protection, but visitors asked to be considerate of fellow festival-goers seated behind them.
Location
Townsend, nestled in the picturesque hills, is often called the front door to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The town enjoys a more peaceful atmosphere than nearby Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. In the summer, it offers great hiking, wildflower sightings, river tubing, and golfing.
