Centralia Balloon Fest is an annual hot air balloon event that takes place on the 3rd full weekend of August in Centralia, Illinois at Foundation Park, a 300-acre nature park.
WRISTBANDS AND OFFICIAL MERCH FOR 2025 WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON:
BALLOON FEST PARK SCHEDULE
Friday, August 15
(Park Hours 3:00pm - 10:00pm)
3:30pm - Opening Ceremony with Centralia High School Band & Choir
5:30pm - Evening Balloon Flight (ALL BALLOONS FLY)
6:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides
7:30pm - Balloon Glow
8:30pm - Headlining Entertainment: TBA
Saturday, August 16
(Park Hours 3:00pm - 10:00pm)
3:30pm - Opening Entertainment: TBA
5:30pm - POW/MIA Veterans Freedom Flight
6:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides
7:30pm - Balloon Glow (ALL BALLOONS GLOW)
8:30pm -Headlining Entertainment: TBA
Sunday, August 17
(Park Hours 12:00pm - 6:00pm)
All Day FREE Family Fun Day
Kids Activities - TBA
Inflatable Jumps - Bubbles - Selfie Scavenger Hunt - Photo Opportunities - Costumed Characters
12:00pm-3:00pm - Cardboard Boat Race Registration and Building
12:00pm - Entertainment TBA
1:00pm-4:00pm - Car & Motorcycle Cruise-In
3:00pm - Cardboard Boat Races
4:00pm - Boat Race Winners and Car Show Winners Announced
5:30pm - Evening Balloon Flight (LOCAL PILOTS)
Schedule subject to change due to safety reasons and weather conditions.
(Morning flights are scheduled at 6:00am with take-off locations around the community.
All flight paths and landing areas are dependent on wind direction and weather conditions.)
SPONSORS ANNOUNCED SOON
Centralia Balloon Fest
August 15-16-17, 2025
$10 Cash Only Daily Admission for Friday & Saturday.
Free Admission on Sunday.
Free admission to kids 2 years old and younger
PRE-SALE ADMISSION - $10 WRISTBAND
Good for BOTH Friday & Saturday.
No pets. No alcohol. No coolers. No unauthorized vehicles.
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and sunscreen!
PARKING
$10 per car at North Entrance (Cash Only)
1490 Gragg St, Centralia, IL 62801
Additional parking for $10 per car:
Centralia Cultural Society, 1250 E. Rexford (Walking Path to North Entrance)
Foundation Church, 1606 E. McCord (Hwy 161 / SCT Entrance)
Trinity Lutheran Grade School and Church, 203 S. Pleasant (Pleasant Street Entrance)
Boxd Storage, 1422 E. McCord (Pleasant Street Entrance)
AND handicap accessible SCT shuttle* to Foundation Park from City Hope Church, 1000 E. Second St. (Free Parking)
Shuttle is $1 per person on Friday and Saturday from 3:00pm-10:00pm
or walk 5 blocks to Pleasant Street Entrance.
”SCT Shuttle is equipped with lifts, ramps, and securement systems for persons with mobility impairments.”
Other parking may be available from surrounding businesses. Please pay attention to posted “no parking” signs.
FULL SCHEDULE OF ALL HOT AIR BALLOON EVENTS
Wednesday, August 13
5:30pm - Crew Training in Foundation Park
Thursday, August 14
5:30pm - Evening Flight for Media and Volunteers
Friday, August 15
6:00am - Morning Flight for Media and Volunteers
5:30pm - Evening Flight from Foundation Park (ALL FLY)
6:00pm-10:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides in Foundation Park
7:30pm - Balloon Glow in Foundation Park
Saturday, August 16
6:00am - Morning Flight over Centralia
5:30pm - Veterans Freedom Flight from Foundation Park
6:00pm-10:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides in Foundation Park
7:30pm - Balloon Glow in Foundation Park (ALL GLOW)
Sunday, August 17
6:00am - Morning Flight over Centralia
5:30pm - Evening Flight from Foundation Park (Local Balloons)
Scheduled times are approximate and subject to change due to weather and safety conditions.
Flight paths and landing spots depend on weather conditions, wind speeds, and wind directions.
Centralia Balloon Fest began in 1990 and has developed into a full weekend of entertainment, family-fun, and beautiful photo opportunities. We encourage our 40,000 visitors to See Centralia, visit our local restaurants and businesses, and enjoy a magical weekend in Southern Illinois with hot air balloons.
We want to thank our hot air balloon sponsors, activity and entertainment sponsors, and hundreds of volunteers who make this event happen! Centralia Balloon Fest is a community event made only possible by the support of our community, businesses, and individuals.
Foundation Park - Centralia, IL
This is the official site for CENTRALIA BALLOON FEST ®, which is the intellectual property of The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce (www.centraliachamber.com, www.centraliaballoonfest.com, www.balloon-fest.com).
“Balloon Fest ®” is registered with the State of Illinois, registration # 104485. Use of “Balloon Fest” name must be in expressed written consent from The Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce.
All times and events are subject to change. Adverse weather may prevent hot air balloons from flying.
"Balloon Glow" is a registered trademark of Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, used with permission.