If watching dozens of hot air balloons drift across the skies sounds like the perfect fall weekend, there’s another balloon-filled celebration worth adding to your calendar.
While Upstate New York’s iconic Adirondack Balloon Festival fills the skies over Lake George, another colorful spectacle is taking flight just across the river in New Jersey. The Warren County Hot Air Balloons, Fun & Games Festival returns on September 19 and 20, 2026, bringing mass balloon launches, tethered rides, live music, robotics demos, and a glowing night show to Washington, New Jersey.
Best of all? Advance tickets start at just $10. Here’s everything you need to know about this budget-friendly fall getaway.
Taking flight since 2001
Warren County’s hot air balloon traditions began in 2001 with a modest, 15-balloonist demonstration organized by local balloon pilot Fred Grotenhuis.
Over the years, the number of pilots grew–along with the frequency of flights–until the tradition soared into three distinct annual celebrations:
- June: The Hot Air Balloons, Arts & Crafts Festival
- July: The Warren County Farmers’ Fair & Hot Air Balloon Festival
- September: The Hot Air Balloons, Fun & Games Festival
The September festival closes out the season with a vibrant mix of aviation, family games, and end-of-summer fair vibes.
What to expect at the 2026 Hot Air Balloons, Fun & Games Festival
Gates open at 1 pm both days, offering an entire afternoon and evening of entertainment leading up to the evening balloon launches and night glows.
Festival Highlights & Entertainment Schedule
Saturday, September 19
- 1 pm – 5 pm: Hot Rides & Hot Air Balloons Car & Truck Show (Trophies awarded at 5 pm; proceeds benefit local veteran scholarships)
- 1 pm – 7 pm: Games & Kids’ Zone (Soccer Darts, Autocades Gaming Trailer, Gel Blasters, Bounce Houses, and free Mini Golf & Escape Rooms)
- 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm: Rocket Ready (Build and launch your own rocket into the sky—free for attendees aged 4 to 94!)
- 2 pm – 5 pm: Strolling Dulcimers
- 2 pm – 6 pm: Meet Spot, the AI Robot Dog, walking the trail with Warren Community College’s Drones & Robotics team
- 5 pm – 8 pm: Live music from Zaire (Classic & indie rock hits)
Sunday, September 20
- 1 pm – 4 pm: Live performance by the StoneHearth Bluegrass Band
- 1 pm – 7 pm: Free crafts, puzzles, games, and activities at Fascination Place
- 2 pm – 5 pm: Live 60s–80s classic tunes by the TimeWhys Band
- 3 pm – 5 pm: Road Less Traveled Barbershop Quartet
- 4 pm – 5 pm: The Pro Kids Holiday Vocal Troupe
Evening Spectacles (Both Days)
- 5:15 pm: Mass Balloon Launch – Watch dozens of vibrant hot air balloons inflate and ascend over the hills (weather permitting)
- 6:15 pm: Meet the Pilots – Kids can hop into balloon baskets, meet the pilots, and learn how balloons operate up close
- 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm: Glow Party with DJ Gold’N – Grab free glow bracelets, hit the dance floor, and win prizes
- 7:15 pm: The Nightly Balloon Glow & Fred G. Monster – Anchored balloons light up against the night sky. Keep an eye out for Fred G. Monster, a massive green monster-shaped balloon handing out early Halloween treats!
Sky-high thrills: tethered rides & flight lessons
Looking to rise above the crowd? You can experience ballooning firsthand without taking a full cross-country flight:
- Tethered Balloon Rides: Ascend 25–50 feet into the air tied safely to ground lines
- Pricing: $30 per adult | $20 per youth (ages 4–12) | Free for ages 3 and under
- How to buy: Tickets are sold on-site at the Balloon Ride Tent once pilots confirm safe launch conditions
- Mini Flight Lessons ($50): Ever wanted to steer a balloon? Book a 20-minute mini flight lesson with instructor Penny Christy between 5 pm and 8 pm. Tethered 25–30 feet up, you’ll take the controls and learn how to raise, lower, and level the balloon. (Space is extremely limited; advance online booking is required)
All tethered ride proceeds support the Fred Grotenhuis Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Admission & ticket prices
Buy ahead of time to snag early-bird pricing!
- Adult Admission: $10 in advance ($12 at the gate)
- Kids (Ages 4–12): $4 in advance ($5 at the gate)
- Family Pack: $40 in advance ($50 at the gate) — Includes festival admission and parking for up to 5 people per car!
- Parking: $5 in advance ($6 at the gate)
Advance discounts expire September 17, 2026. Online ticket protection is available.
Getting there from NYC
Held on the sprawling grounds of Warren County Community College (475 Route 57 West, Washington, NJ 07882), the festival is an easy 1.5- to 2-hour drive from Manhattan.
- By Car: From Manhattan, take the Holland or Lincoln Tunnel to I-80 West, then continue to Route 46 and Route 57 West. On-site parking is available for attendees
- By Bus: Take a NJ Transit bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal to Hackettstown, then use a rideshare for the remaining 15-20 minute drive to the festival
- By Train: Take NJ Transit’s Morris & Essex Line to Hackettstown Station, then grab a rideshare or taxi to the festival grounds, about 8 miles away
💡 Know before you go (pro tips)
- 🌤️ Balloons Depend 100% On Weather: Hot air balloons only inflate during calm winds, typically 2 hours before sunset. Launches can be delayed or canceled due to wind conditions
- ⏳ Embrace “Country Time”: Ballooning isn’t instant gratification. Bring lawn chairs and blankets, explore the 1.2-mile campus walking trail, enjoy the food trucks, and catch the live shows while waiting for atmospheric conditions to settle
- 🎟️ No Refund Policy: While festival organizers work hard to ensure launches happen, safety comes first. Because entertainment, rentals, and setup costs remain the same, tickets are non-refundable if weather grounds the balloons
- 📅 Hurricane Backup Dates: If severe weather hits, the official rain/hurricane backup dates are September 26 & 27, 2026
- 🚫 Strict Ground Rules: No pets, outside alcohol, or coolers are permitted on festival grounds (service animals excluded)