While New Yorkers are used to looking up and seeing nothing but skyscrapers, a trip to the Adirondacks this September could make looking up much more whimsical. The Adirondack Balloon Festival is returning for its 53rd year, gearing up to bring the skies to life with dozens of massive hot air balloons.
From September 17 through 20, 2026, more than 70 colorful balloons will fill the horizon over Queensbury, NY and the Lake George area for one of the region’s most dazzling displays. The four-day spectacle remains the Northeast’s biggest hot air balloon festival and one of the oldest in the United States.
Here’s everything you need to know about this magical–and extremely affordable–autumn road trip.
A decades-old tradition soaring since the 1970s
The extravaganza got its start in 1973 as a modest, 18-balloon demonstration at a local community college. Since its debut, it has grown into a massive celebration drawing over 100,000 visitors and pilots from across the globe–including Japan, Germany, and Switzerland!
Unlike most major national festivals, this one has stayed 100% volunteer-run and completely free to the public for more than five decades.
It also comes with some pretty legendary history:
- Giving back: Festival food vendors are reserved for local nonprofits—including the Flying Farmers, Rotary, and Open Door Ministries—who have collectively raised more than $900,000 for their communities
- The Hurricane Hugo miracle: When Hurricane Hugo devastated the East Coast in 1989 and forced the festival to cancel, organizers somehow pulled off a full reschedule just one week later, with nearly every pilot returning
What to look forward to in 2026
Though the exact hour-by-hour schedule has not yet been revealed–it drops closer to September–festival-goers can count on four days packed with excitement.
Festivities traditionally kick off Thursday at Crandall Park with live music and the mesmerizing evening Balloon Moonglow, when tethered balloons inflate and illuminate the night sky. The celebration then heads to Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport for the rest of the weekend.
Key highlights throughout the 4-day festival include:
- Mass Ascensions: Watch 70 to 80+ balloons launch into the sky together during the festival’s peak sunrise and sunset hours
- Walt & Joan’s Mass Ascension: A touching Sunday morning sunrise flight honoring longtime festival founders and organizers Walter and Joan Grishkot
- Festival Grounds: Explore an open-air market packed with 50+ craft vendors, live music, local food vendors, and activities for kids
How to get there from NYC
Located about 3.5 to 4 hours north of New York City, Queensbury is an easy—and seriously scenic—destination for a fall weekend getaway.
- By Bus: Adirondack Trailways offers direct service from Port Authority to Glens Falls and Lake George
- By Car: Take I-87 North, also known as the Adirondack Northway, to Exit 19
- By Train: Hop on Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express or Adirondack line from Moynihan Train Hall (Penn Station) to the Fort Edward–Glens Falls station. From there, the festival grounds are just a 15-minute rideshare or cab ride away
Where to sleep nearby
If you’re already making the journey, you may as well turn the Adirondack Balloon Festival into a full fall weekend getaway by booking a stay nearby! Especially since the Adirondacks were just crowned America’s number one fall foliage destination.
For the easiest festival access
Stay in Queensbury or Glens Falls, where you’ll be closest to the festival grounds and can spend less time in the car during those notoriously busy launch windows.
- The Queensbury Hotel: a particularly convenient option
- Home 2 Suites by Hilton Queensbury: a good pick if you want suite-style accommodations and easy access to restaurants and shopping
For a classic fall getaway
Base yourself in Lake George, about a short drive from Queensbury, and turn the festival into an excuse to enjoy the lake, restaurants, shops, and Adirondack scenery.
The area has everything from traditional motels to waterfront resorts, and staying in Lake George Village puts you within walking distance of plenty of dining and attractions.
- The Lodges at Cresthaven: sitting directly on Lake George and offering more space for families or groups, this is a good option for a more resort-style stay
- Courtyard by Marriott Lake George: puts you near the waterfront, shops, and restaurants if you’d like to be right in the village
🚨 Pro tip: Book your hotel as early as possible. September is prime fall travel season in the Adirondacks, and the balloon festival draws thousands of visitors. Plus, because the festival’s biggest launches happen around sunrise and sunset, staying nearby means you can actually enjoy the spectacle without sacrificing hours to a pre-dawn drive.
Pro tips before heading north
- Weather rules everything: Balloon launches are highly dependent on wind and weather conditions. Sunrise and sunset typically offer the calmest winds, so plan to arrive early and be prepared for schedule changes
- Peak traffic hours: Expect heavier traffic around the airport during launch windows, generally from 5–9 am and 3–8 pm, so build some extra time into your travel plans
- Parking: Free general parking is available (Premium parking passes have already sold out)
- Know the rules: Leave the pets at home. Dogs, drones, smoking, and remote-controlled aircraft are prohibited on the festival grounds
Mark your calendars: September 17–20, 2026. Whether you’re planning a scenic fall getaway or looking for a fun family outing, this free festival offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch dozens of colorful balloons float over the Adirondack Mountains.