Schedule of Events
The Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival involves a number of activities including introductory ballooning workshops prior to the event, scheduled Festival competition flights, and The Glow
Learning the ropes
The tradition of volunteer crew training on Festival Eve continues. New and past volunteer come together to meet each other prior to the event as well as review roles and responsibilities during event.
Come out and watch the launches
September 23-27, 2026
The Festival's first flight will launches in
Note: There is no flight on Friday evening before the Balloon Glow.
Details are subject to change on a daily basis. Please watch the website and social media for on-going updates during the Festival.
Pilots
Our roster of pilots includes those who live right here in High River, Calgary and across Alberta and Canada. This year we have pilots joining us from the United States and Europe.
Get to know our pilots and the balloons they will be flying the skies during the Festival.
Flight Briefings
Pilots gather prior to every flight for announcements, review weather conditions, and confirm if they are flying or not.
Location: Balloon Central • Heritage Inn High River
Morning: 7:00am Thurs - Sun
Evening: 4:30pm Thurs - Sat and 5:00pm on Wed, September 23, 2026
Tasks: The task for each flight is Hare & Hounds
Launches
Flights during are scheduled in the morning and evening to coincide with the most promising weather conditions. One hour after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset offer the most stable winds for flying a hot air balloon. Since balloons move with the air, all weather conditions are taken into consideration in deciding whether or not to fly. For those interested in taking to the air during the Festival, check out ride information.
What: Watch Fiesta Flight Launches
Location: High River Macleod Trail launch field (see launch site map below - or 50.577089, -113.887937)
Price: Free
Tickets: Not required
Times: see Time column in table below (printable launch schedule pdf - coming soon)
Launch / Event Schedule • 2026
| Date | Sunrise/Sunset Times | Time | Activity | Location | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, September 23 | 4:00pm | Opening Ceremonies | Heritage Inn Balloon Central | UPCOMING |
| Sunrise: 7:22am | Sunset: 7:33pm | 5:30pm | Media/Sponsor Fiesta Flight | Macleod Trail Launch Site | UPCOMING |
| Thursday, September 24 | 7:30am | Fiesta Flight | Macleod Trail Launch Site | UPCOMING |
| Sunrise: 7:23am | Sunset: 7:30pm | 5:15pm | Fiesta Flight | Macleod Trail Launch Site | UPCOMING |
| Friday, September 25 | 7:30am | Fiesta Flight | Macleod Trail Launch Site | UPCOMING |
| Sunrise: 7:25am | Sunset: 7:28pm | 5:15pm | -- No Scheduled Flight -- | Macleod Trail Launch Site | -- |
| 5:00pm | The Balloon Glow | Wallacevile Site | UPCOMING | |
| Saturday, September 26 | 7:30am | Fiesta Flight | Macleod Trail Launch Site | UPCOMING |
| Sunrise: 7:26am | Sunset: 7:26pm | 5:15pm | Fiesta Flight | Macleod Trail Launch Site | UPCOMING |
| Sunday, September 27 | 7:30am | Fiesta Flight | Macleod Trail Launch Site | UPCOMING |
| Sunrise: 7:28am | Sunset: 7:24pm | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Launch Site Access
Open legend for details, zoom in to see field details by the binoculars
The nearest intersection is Macleod Tr SW and Deibert Close SW, High River
Blue pin is at 50.577089, -113.887937 Printable Launch Site PDF can be downloaded.
(Looking for the Friday night Balloon Glow?)
Spectator Information
- All flights are weather dependent and will be cancelled if conditions are unsafe.
- Pilots attend a flight briefing prior to every launch at the Heritage Inn Balloon Central
- Watch the website and social media for information on whether a flight is CANCELLED, on STAND-BY, or a GO.
- When weather conditions are changing and variable, the decision to fly or not fly may be made at the last moment.
- Launches may be on stand-by where weather conditions are not good for flying at the scheduled time but will improve shortly.
- Pilots and crew will arrive at the launch site for the Fiesta Flight shortly after the time noted in the Time column in the table above.
- Spectator parking is available on the residential streets near the launch site. See the map above.
- There will be a designated accessible parking section on the west end of Macleod Trail SW.
- The number of spectators for each Fiesta Flight is unknown so we cannot predict how far away you will need to park.
- Arriving 15-30 minutes ahead of the scheduled Fiesta Flight time is recommended.
- While spectators cannot access the launch field, watching launches from outside the perimeter still offers a very up close and exciting experience.
- Viewing on the south and east side of the perimeter is at field level. Viewing on the west and north side of the perimeter is above field level on the berm path.
- Once launched, spectators can chase the chase vehicles to follow the balloons.
- Please allow the chase vehicles to leave the field and remain
- Remain a safe distance behind all chase vehicles. Chase vehicles need to follow their balloons.
- UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES enter a landowner's property, including their driveway or field. This is private property. Remain on public roads at all times.
- Please leave your pets at home! We love animals and hate to see them spooked by all the people and unpredictable sounds that the balloons make.
- Remember your camera! There are lots of opportunities to capture amazing images.
Volunteering
Area residents and visitors alike are welcome to volunteer for the Festival, including as crew members for Festival pilots. The opportunity to crew offers an up-close experience with the hot air balloon flight. From inflation to packing up, the experience will last a lifetime. If you or your visitors are interested in volunteering, please complete a volunteer application.