Photo of colorful hot air balloons in the sky during daytime with silhouettes of people taking pictures and watching the balloons at the Centralia Balloon Fest, August 20-22, 2027.

Centralia Balloon Fest is an annual hot air balloon event that starts on the 3rd Friday of August.

This event is held at Fairview Park, 1010 West Broadway, Centralia, Illinois.

August 20-21-22, 2027

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Illustration of white clouds on a light gray background.

A simple illustration of a hot air balloon silhouette.

Park Schedule

Online Store

All Hot Air Balloon Events

Parking Information

Major Sponsors

BALLOON FEST
FAIRVIEW PARK SCHEDULE

Friday, August 20
(Park Hours 3:00pm - 10:00pm)
3:30pm - Opening Ceremony with Centralia High School Band & Choir
5:30pm - Evening Balloon Launch
6:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides
7:30pm - Balloon Glow
8:30pm - Headlining Entertainment: TBD

Saturday, August 21
(Park Hours 3:00pm - 10:00pm)
3:30pm - Opening Entertainment: TBD
5:30pm - Evening Balloon Launch
6:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides
7:30pm - Balloon Glow
8:30pm - Headlining Entertainment: TBD

Sunday, August 22
(Park Hours 12:00pm - 6:00pm)
All Day Family Fun Day
Free Kids’ Activities include a bounce house, Carrie Leigh’s Art for Kids, Puzzles, and more!
More activities will be added as we get closer to the event.

12:00pm - SSM Health Foundation Bicycle Helmet Giveaway (goes until supplies last)
1:00pm - 4:00pm - Car & Motorcycle Show
5:30pm - Evening Balloon Launch (LOCAL PILOTS)

Schedule subject to change due to safety reasons and weather conditions.

(Morning launches 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.)

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A simple illustration of a white hot air balloon with a small basket at the bottom.

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Colorful hot air balloon with a checkered pattern of yellow, red, blue, and black panels floating in a clear blue sky.

PARKING

Fairview Park Plaza is the Official Balloon Fest Parking
1010 West Broadway, Centralia, IL.

Other parking may be available from surrounding businesses.
Please pay attention to posted “no parking” signs.

Map advertising the Centralia Balloon Fest scheduled for August 21-23, 2026, at Fairview Park, Centralia, Illinois. Highlights include free entry, free parking, and $1 shuttle rides. The map features landmarks such as Fairview Park Plaza, City Hope Church, Historic Downtown, and shuttle stops with directional arrows and street names.

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Gray silhouette of a hot air balloon with a small basket at the bottom.

A poster displaying an event entry policy with permitted items listed as lawn chairs, bags not larger than backpack, strollers and wagons, health and medical supplies, and blankets. Prohibited items include weapons of any kind, bicycles or skateboards, unauthorized vehicles, alcohol or glass containers, pets not on a leash, drones, unauthorized vehicles, coolers or large bags, and personal tents. The lower part of the poster mentions security measures and agradees.

No alcohol. No coolers. No unauthorized vehicles.

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and sunscreen!

Pets must be on a leash. However, we recommend leaving them at home for their safety. Many dogs don’t like the sound of hot air balloons, it may be too hot for them, and we expect a large crowd.

A gray silhouette of a hot air balloon against a white background.

Have you thought about volunteering?

Volunteers make Centralia Balloon Fest possible every year and are needed to help crew the hot air balloons. This is a great opportunity for families, organizations, or anyone that is interested in learning more about hot air balloons.

Those interested must be physically capable of lifting objects and following instructions. Balloons launches are scheduled as such:

6:00am & 5:30pm - Friday, August 21, 2026
6:00am & 5:30pm - Saturday, August 22, 2026
6:00am - Sunday, August 23, 2026

If you’re interested in crewing, please click the link below. Send your full name and a phone number so our pilots can reach out to you.

Sign up to crew a balloon

Centralia Balloon Fest began in 1990 and has developed into a full weekend of entertainment, family-fun, and beautiful photo opportunities. 37 years later, Balloon Fest still stands out as a unique hot air balloon event—balloons set up around our attendees, allowing guests to experience seeing hot air balloons inflate right in front of them. We do ask that all of our attendees respect the balloons and listening to crew instructions if needed.

We encourage our visitors to See Centralia, visit our local restaurants and businesses, and enjoy a magical weekend in Southern Illinois with hot air balloons.

Thank you to 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.

Silhouette of a hot air balloon with a rounded top and a small basket underneath.

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Illustration of a cloud with a cloudy sky in the background.

A simple, monochrome illustration of a hot air balloon.

Many hot air balloons preparing for flight at a crowd-filled event on a grassy field during the daytime. The balloons are in vibrant colors and patterns, with some featuring smiley faces and one with a portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

All balloon events are weather-permitting. All events are a go unless stated otherwise. For immediate updates during Balloon Fest weekend, please follow our Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/centraliaballoonfest

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A group of colorful hot air balloons with various patterns, including a large pink balloon shaped like a cute cartoon character with big eyes and a smiling face, being prepared for flight at sunset with many people gathered around.

People preparing a hot air balloon basket at sunset, with balloons and trees in the background.

DONATE TO BALLOON FEST

FULL SCHEDULE OF ALL HOT AIR BALLOON EVENTS

Wednesday, August 19
5:30pm - Crew Training in Foundation Park

Thursday, August 20
5:30pm - Evening Launch (Location TBD)

Friday, August 21
6:00am - Morning Launch over Centralia (Location TBD)
5:30pm - Evening Launch from Fairview Park
6:00pm-10:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides in Fairview Park
7:30pm - Balloon Glow in Fairview Park

Saturday, August 22
6:00am - Morning Launch over Centralia (Location TBD)
5:30pm - Evening Launch from Fairview Park
6:00pm-10:00pm - Tethered Balloon Rides in Fairview Park
7:30pm - Balloon Glow in Fairview Park

Sunday, August 23
6:00am - Morning Launch over Centralia (Location TBD)
5:30pm - Evening Launch from Fairview Park (Local Balloons)

Scheduled times are approximate and subject to change due to weather and safety conditions. All events are a go unless stated otherwise on our Centralia Balloon Fest Facebook page and local radio stations (WJBD, X95, Withers Broadcasting)

Flight paths and landing spots depend on weather conditions, wind speeds, and wind directions.

6:00am Morning Launch status and location is determined morning of. Launch locations are posted around 6:15am on Centralia Balloon Fest’s Facebook page. These launches, like all balloon events, are weather dependent.

A black and white illustration of a hot air balloon with no visible details.

A simple cartoon drawing of a cloud with rounded edges against a white background.

Gray hot air balloon illustration with no background.

Illustration of white clouds in the sky against a black background.

Gray hot air balloon icon on a white background.

A simple illustration of a hot air balloon with a rounded envelope and a small basket hanging below.

Silhouette of a hot air balloon with a rounded top and a small basket at the bottom.

Vendor registration for 2027 is closed.

Please check back in February 2027

Craft Vendor Registration

Food Vendor Registration

BALLOON Safety and Weather

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

See Centralia - City of Centralia Tourism

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Where to shop and dine IN cENTRALIA

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A list of names and years on a flyer for Centralia Balloon Fest Chairmen, organized by year from 1990 to 2029, with a gray background, white clouds, and hot air balloon illustrations.

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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.