Plan a getaway with loved ones for a much-deserved spring break to a four-seasons resort town like no other. The Centennial State is dotted with many of these cozy mountain towns that offer plenty of activities, attractions, and more. If this sounds like just what the doctor ordered for your next respite, head to the cozy town of Telluride. The town not only has a variety of year-round activities and attractions to experience, but also hosts a number of festivals. It’s the self-proclaimed “Summer Festival Capital of Colorado.” One of the festivals that has helped it earn that title is the Telluride Balloon Festival. You’ll want to make it a part of your early summer plans, so mark your calendars for May 31 – June 2, 2024.
Telluride Balloon Festival
Make your way to Telluride Town Park in Telluride. The physical address for the park is 500 E. Colorado Avenue, Telluride, Colorado, 81435. It won’t be hard to find once the dozens of hot air balloons begin the preparation and lift off. The Saturday night Glow event lights up the area all along Colorado Avenue. Parts of the street will be closed for safety reasons.
Who Participates?
Hot air balloon pilots come from around the region and across the country. Telluride is one of the premier hot air ballooning celebrations in the U.S., and features dozens of balloons and their pilots going up into the wild blue yonder. Each balloon is as unique as its pilot. Balloons feature a variety of colors and designs, some boasting popular cartoon characters and other art.
Hours
Flights start at 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings, weather permitting. Early morning weather conditions are usually the most ideal for a balloon take off. The much-anticipated annual Main Street Glow takes place Saturday night 6-10 p.m. Keep in mind it is early summer, and early morning as well as evening temperatures are still chilly. You’ll want to grab a jacket on the way out the door!
Refreshments
Consider grabbing a bite before heading out. You can grab breakfast at your accommodations, as many of our restaurants may not yet be open. You can also opt to purchase any of the refreshments available for sale at the event. You’ll find them set up at the basketball court in Town Park.
Tickets
Tickets are not required to attend the free event. A variety of sponsors and donors make the event possible every year.
Who Should Go
Everyone! The events of the Telluride Balloon Festival are family friendly. Watching the balloons take flight over the park, tracking them through skies of Telluride and the valley, or enjoying refreshments has no age limit.
Volunteering
You don’t have to sign up in advance, or attend a briefing the week before, or anything else that may change your vacation plans. Simply arrive at Town Park around 6 a.m. You’ll be “assigned” a pilot/balloon to help set up and prepare for lift off. Being a volunteer comes with benefits sometimes, too. Some pilots will offer their helpers a free ride at the end of the festivities! There’s no guarantee on that, so you’ll have to ask your pilot if they will allow it.
More Than the Balloon Festival
While the balloon festival is the star of the weekend, Telluride’s year-round activities don’t stop. Take part in outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or horseback riding. Reach your own new heights with a paragliding adventure. The area along Colorado Avenue where the event takes place is also an activity. The historic area features some of the town’s oldest buildings dating all the way back to the 1800s. There you’ll find some of the best shopping and dining in the area to complement your time at the festival.
Fly High with Balloons and Elevated Accommodations
We know your next vacation and everything about it is important to you to elevate your experience to new heights. Let us take one of the biggest weights off your shoulders and free you to soar through the planning process. We’ll help you organize accommodations for you and all of your loved ones. Come celebrate the first mode of air travel and leave the stress behind. Our private vacation homes are private residences that offer everything you need to feel right at home during your stay. Spread out in an open living space after a day of Balloon Festival fun. Gather together in private outdoor spaces. Our units offer private balconies and patios of all shapes and sizes. We have homes as large as seven bedrooms to accommodate your entire wedding party! We also have spaces as small as one-bedroom for you and your traveling companions to enjoy together. Indulge yourself in a premium unit for perks and upgrades like stainless steel appliances, double ovens, flat screen TVs and much more.
Contact Us
Contact us today to start planning a vacation that includes the Telluride Balloon Festival!
