Plano Balloon Festival returns Sept. 17-20 with 40 balloons and new special shapes

The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival is set for Sept. 17-20, 2026, at Red Tail Pavilion / Oak Point Park in Plano, bringing balloon launches, glows, stage entertainment and family activities. Organizers say the event’s Shared Horizon theme celebrates more than four decades of ballooning in North Texas.

Why it matters: - The Plano Balloon Festival remains one of North Texas’ biggest community events, drawing families, nonprofit groups and balloon pilots to Plano each fall. - The 2026 lineup adds special-shape balloons and expanded entertainment, which should increase the festival’s appeal across age groups. - The festival also raises money and awareness for 22 local nonprofit agencies that help operate the event.

What happened: - The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival returns Sept. 17-20, 2026, at Red Tail Pavilion / Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano. - The festival will feature more than 40 hot air balloons, special shapes and four days of family-friendly programming. - Organizers announced the 2026 theme as Shared Horizon. - The festival said the theme celebrates ballooning’s role in bringing North Texas together for more than four decades. - Amy Leone, Balloon Operations Coordinator, said the festival is welcoming 12 special shapes, including a pig, duck, llama, frog, bear, fish, birds, cat, raccoon, unicorn and sasquatch. - Jo Via, Festival Director, said the balloon and pilot lineup is meant to create a community experience.

The details: - Participating balloons and pilots include Spirit of H-E-B with Amie Cato, Central Market Whisk Away with Shane Hale, Highly Cool for FOX4 with Keith Berry and RE/MAX with Steve Lombardi. - Other entries include Thomas J Henry with Josh Cato, 1-Liner with Tabatha Rainwater, Allycorn with Chris Glen, Calypso with Eric Wiggins and Chris P. Bacon with Jordan Cox. - The lineup also includes No Prob Llama, Puddy Cat, Scout Cloudfoot, Texit Coin Freedom Flyer, Visit Las Cruces and Ziggy. - Balloon events run Sept. 17-20 with evening glows and morning launches. - Scheduled events include a Sept. 17 Balloon Glow presented by BMW at 7:30 p.m. and a Sept. 18 Balloon Glow presented by RE/MAX of Texas at 7:30 p.m. - The schedule also includes a Sept. 19 Balloon Launch presented by H-E-B at 7 a.m., a Sept. 19 Balloon Glow presented by H-E-B | Central Market at 7:30 p.m. and a Sept. 20 Balloon Launch presented by Thomas J Henry at 7 a.m. - Entertainment on the FOX4 Main Stage includes the Plano Symphony Orchestra Big Band on opening night, Midtown 10 on Friday and a Saturday lineup with the Plano Community Band, Children’s Chorus of Collin County, cultural and dance performances and Ice House Band presented by Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital. - The RE/MAX of Texas Parachute Team is scheduled to land on the launch field Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m. - Guests can buy tethered balloon rides, visit the Central Market Kids Fun Zone with inflatable and mechanical rides, and use the free Kids Korner for arts and crafts. - Food vendors, merchandise sellers and sponsor activations will also be on site. - Twenty-two local nonprofit agencies will help run the festival and use the event to support their programs. - Festival hours are Sept. 17 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sept. 18 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sept. 19 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sept. 20 from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. - Onsite admission is cashless and accepts credit cards, debit cards and Apple Pay. - Ticket prices are $10 for general admission, $5 for kids ages 3-12, $5 for seniors 65 and over, and free for kids 36 inches and under. - Military guests, including retired service members with valid ID, receive free admission with one ticket per ID. - Parking costs $10 for off-site parking and $15 for prime parking, and parking is purchased onsite only. - Prime parking is available at Collin College Spring Creek Campus, Oak Point Recreation Center and First United Methodist Church. - Off-site parking is available at Plano Event Center. - Guests can also park at DART’s Parker Road Station and ride a free Luxury Motor Coach to Admission Gate 4. - Ride-share pickup and drop-off is also located at Parker Road Station. - Spring Creek Parkway between Jupiter and Parker roads will be closed to traffic, and guests are being urged to use alternate routes east to Jupiter Road. - Tickets and information are available at more information and on Facebook and Instagram. - The festival has a no-refund policy for weather cancellations or suspensions, and no rescheduled date is offered if the event is canceled. - If severe weather is nearby, festival organizers may delay the event, cancel a day’s activities or reopen later if conditions improve. - Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. says it has donated more than $3 million since inception.

Between the lines: - The balloon lineup mixes sponsor-branded balloons, returning favorites and novelty shapes, which helps the festival keep its family-friendly draw while giving sponsors visible placement. - The early-morning launches and evening glows remain the festival’s signature experiences, with the rest of the schedule built around them. - Parking and traffic guidance suggests the festival expects heavy attendance and wants to reduce congestion around Spring Creek Parkway.

What's next: - Festival organizers will release additional event updates through the festival’s website and social channels. - Weather conditions will determine whether any launches or glows are delayed, cancelled or resumed. - Attendees can expect more details on performance times, parking flow and day-of operations as Sept. 17 approaches.