Road Trip: Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival in Medicine Hat May 21-24, 2026
Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival in Medicine Hat returns for the 5th uplifting year! Hot air balloon pilots from across North America are taking to the skies to raise awareness about how we can work collectively to enhance mental wellness and rise to great heights together.
This year's Rise Up Festival will feature the spectacular hot air balloon displays you have come to know and love, as well as our Community Day with a free pancake breakfast, movies for the whole family, youth art displays, and our Rise Up Market with vendors from Medicine Hat and beyond.
Road Trip: Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival in Medicine Hat May 21-24, 2026
Experience anadditional Balloon Glow! 2026 will feature two balloon glow events, where the hot air balloons are tethered to the ground with a festival style experience featuring kids activities, food trucks and the chance to see a hot air balloon inflate, and glow, right in front of your very eyes. Experience this magical evening on Friday and Saturday at Kin Coulee Park.
Community Day (Saturday). This special day features bustling market vendors, a FREE Pancake Breakfast, Youth Art Party, a movie in the theatre, and other engaging activities! It is a day dedicated to the Rise Up Festival's mission of community, connection, and hope.
Ballon Flights. There are seven balloon flights scheduled through the duration of the festival
Tips for Visiting the Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival
Prepare for the line-ups during the Balloon Glow and get there early if you want to have access to the park. There are a finite number of vehicles that can be allowed in - so go early and grab a spot. Arrive early to the Balloon Glow and enjoy the park, food Trucks, kids activities and inflatables etc.
Bring a sweater - after dark it gets cold - even though it’s the month of May. In fact, bring an extra blanket to cozy up before the sun goes down!
Eat before you go - or bring snacks. The line-ups for the food trucks and food on site can be very long - we’re talking more than an hour in line - so you’re going to want to ensure that you’ve eaten.
Grab a blanket and claim a space near the roped off area where the balloons will inflate. You’ll have to do this early in the day - but it’s a magical vantage point.
Plan to stay overnight. At about five hours from Edmonton, this one is easiest if you’re going to plan an overnight trip. Plan an overnight trip on one of the Balloon Glow nights. While you’re in Medicine Hat, there are plenty of things to explore - from free things to do like Geocaching or learning and visiting the World’s Largest Teepee, to visiting Medalta.
