Get ready for a weekend that’ll literally lift your spirits! The Paris Balloon & Music Festival is returning to the Lamar County Fair Grounds on September 12-13, 2025, and it’s packed with everything that makes family fun unforgettable – hot air balloons, live music, food trucks, and memories that’ll last a lifetime.
This annual celebration combines the wonder of hot air ballooning with the energy of live music, creating an experience that’s uniquely Texas. Whether you’re watching the magical balloon glows as the sun sets or dancing to live bands under the stars, this festival delivers that perfect blend of adventure and entertainment.
A Sky Full of History and Wonder
Hot air balloon festivals have been capturing hearts across America for decades. The first hot air balloon festival in Texas was held in 1978 in Plano, Texas, called the Plano Balloon Festival, and attracted over 5,000 visitors. Since then, these celebrations have become cherished traditions that bring communities together under the open sky.
The Paris Balloon & Music Festival is organized by the Paris Balloon and Music Association, a 501c3 non-profit association dedicated to the advancement of the sport and science of lighter-than-air aviation, both hot air and gas balloons. This isn’t just entertainment – it’s a celebration of aviation history and the human dream of flight.
Hot air balloon festivals allow hot air balloon operators to gather as well as for the general public to participate in various activities. They can include races; evening “night glows,” or “glowdeos” in which balloons are fired while remaining tethered to the ground; and rides. The Paris festival delivers all of this and more, creating an experience that appeals to aviation enthusiasts and families alike.
Your Weekend Adventure Lineup
What’s Waiting for You:
- Hot Air Balloon Glows: Watch as balloons light up like giant lanterns against the evening sky – it’s pure magic that’ll leave you speechless
- Tethered Balloon Rides: Experience the thrill of rising above the ground in a hot air balloon (weather permitting)
- Live Music: Two bands each night bringing the perfect soundtrack to your adventure
- Food Trucks: Delicious eats from local vendors to fuel your fun
- Kids Zone: Activities designed to keep the little ones entertained and engaged
- 50+ Vendors: Browse an amazing array of items from local artisans and businesses
- Monster Truck Rides: Feel the power and excitement of these massive machines
- Helicopter Rides: See the festival from a bird’s eye view
- 5K Run: Start Saturday morning right with a run at 8 AM
Important Safety Information
While hot air ballooning is an incredible experience, it’s important to understand the safety considerations. According to the Aviation Accident Database put out by the FAA, hot air ballooning is the safest form of all air travel and are rarely involved in aviation crashes.
However, bad weather conditions can cause hot air balloons to crash, but hot air balloon crashes and injuries are incredibly rare. Most pilots pay close attention to the weather and only fly when there are calm winds and no rain. Inclement weather conditions, such as high winds, thunderstorms, or low visibility, can pose risks to flights.
This is why balloon activities at the festival are always listed as “weather permitting.” Safety professionals continuously monitor conditions, and operators need to follow safety regulations and request passengers listen to any provided instructions. The festival organizers prioritize your safety above all else.
Festival Details You Need to Know
- When: September 12-13, 2025, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM each night
- Where: Lamar County Fair Grounds, Paris, TX
- Cost: Tickets sold at the gate
- Under 5: Free
- Ages 5-12: $5
- Ages 13 & up: $10
- Special Event: 5K Run at 8:00 AM Saturday morning
Why This Festival is Special
The Paris Balloon & Music Festival isn’t just another event – it’s a celebration of human ingenuity, community spirit, and the simple joy of looking up at the sky and dreaming. This family friendly festival features live music, kids fun zone, food trucks, market place vendors, monster truck rides, balloon glows, and balloon launches with lots of fun for all ages.
There’s something magical about watching hot air balloons rise into the Texas sky while live music fills the air. It’s a reminder of what’s possible when we combine tradition with innovation, community with adventure, and dreams with reality.
Your Perfect Weekend Escape
Whether you’re a longtime balloon enthusiast or someone who’s never seen a hot air balloon up close, this festival offers something for everyone. The combination of aviation wonder, live entertainment, family activities, and that warm Texas hospitality creates an experience that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Bring your camera, bring your sense of wonder, and get ready for a weekend that’ll remind you why simple pleasures – like watching balloons dance in the evening sky – are often the most memorable. The Paris Balloon & Music Festival is your chance to step away from the everyday and into something extraordinary.
Mark your calendar for September 12-13, 2025, and prepare for an adventure that’ll lift your spirits and create memories that’ll last a lifetime. The sky is calling, and Paris, Texas is ready to welcome you to an unforgettable weekend of music, flight, and pure joy.
Ready to soar? Head to the Lamar County Fair Grounds and experience the magic of the Paris Balloon & Music Festival. Your adventure awaits, and it’s going to be incredible!
