Winthrop Balloon Roundup 2025 in Washington

Most balloon festivals take place during the summer, but the Winthrop Balloon Festival is held during the colder months, ensuring a unique experience. For three straight days, over a dozen bright balloons decorate the sky over Winthrop, Washington, and the North Cascade Mountains. The event attracts thousands of visitors, especially photographers, to this scenic spot in the Methow Valley, a 60-mile (97-km) long glacial valley.

Festival Program

Winthrop Balloon Roundup is usually held in late February and early March, offering the Methow Valley’s Nordic and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and sledding in addition to an incredible ballooning experience. The family-friendly event offers a variety of food and lodging as well as wine and cider tastings. Pilots will enjoy an exclusive cocktail reception while the evening brings a mesmerizing event known as the Nighttime Balloon Glow, during which dozens of balloons hover along downtown Riverside Avenue.

Hot-Air Balloon Rides

If you'd like to take a trip up in the sky, several ballooning operators offer their services at the Winthrop Balloon Roundup. The trips take place early in the morning at around 7 am and last around 60-70 minutes. Each ride fits around 8-10 passengers. Tickets generally vary from $350 to $400 per person. Some of the operators offering rides during the festival include Snohomish Ballooning, Balloon Depot, and Seattle Ballooning.

Schedule

The schedule includes hot air balloons inflating and launching on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning. The balloons are inflated at around 7 am and stay up in the air until 9 am. The Pilots’ Lift-off Celebration takes place on February 28th at 7 pm, while a Sip and Stroll wine-tasting event is scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 pm. The Nighttime Balloon Glow will take place at 5:50 pm on Saturday in downtown Winthrop and will be glowing until 6:30 pm.

Tickets & Admission

The Winthrop Balloon Roundup itself is completely free to attend, but it's strongly recommended to RSVP beforehand. Some events, such as Pilots' Lift-off Celebration and Sip & Stroll require tickets to attend. No pets are permitted during balloon inflation and lift-off. All events are weather-dependent and might be canceled or rescheduled in case of severe weather conditions.

Location & Parking

The balloon lift-offs take place behind the Winthrop Inn and Abbycreek Inn, while the Nighttime Glow unfolds in downtown Winthrop, along Riverside Avenue. Some events also take place at the Casia Lodge and Ranch. Note that Riverside Avenue closes at around 4 pm on the day of the event, with parking forbidden on the northern end of the street. If you're driving to the festival grounds, it's recommended to park near Methow Valley Thriftway.