Hot air balloons, nightly glows, live music, and a fireworks finale bring one of North Texas’s biggest family traditions back to Oak Point Park this September.
Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, Plano, TX — September 17-20, 2026
There’s a moment every fall when the sky over Plano fills with color, and for four days this September, that moment stretches into a full weekend. The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival returns to Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, bringing dozens of hot air balloons, live entertainment, and family fun back to one of North Texas’s most beloved annual traditions.
The festival runs Thursday, September 17 through Sunday, September 20. Thursday’s hours run 5 to 10 p.m., Friday from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday wraps things up early from 6 to 11 a.m.
The balloons are the main event, and the festival gives visitors two distinct ways to experience them. Weather permitting, balloon launches happen Saturday and Sunday mornings, filling the sky as dozens of balloons lift off across the park. But it’s the evening balloon glow that tends to steal the show, happening Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, when the balloons stay grounded but light up from within, glowing brilliantly against the night sky in a display that’s become a signature moment of the festival. Just keep in mind that balloons are only present in the park during these scheduled displays, not throughout the entire day.
For families who want to get a little closer to the action, tethered balloon rides are also available, lifting riders 20 to 30 feet off the ground for a few minutes without actually launching and flying away. Riders must be at least 6 years old, everyone participating has to sign a waiver, and tickets for the tethered rides are sold on-site for cash only.
Beyond the balloons, the festival keeps kids and families busy all weekend long. The Whataburger Kids Korner Free Art Tent sits inside the Central Market Kids Fun Zone, packed with inflatables, slides, and rides for younger festival-goers. Families can also wander the park and shop handmade goods from 35 different merchandise vendors, offering everything from artwork and décor to toys and apparel. Rounding out the weekend, the RE/MAX of Texas Parachute Team puts on an aerial exhibition, live bands keep the main stage going, and nightly fireworks cap off the evenings in style.
A few practical notes before you go: the festival takes place at an outdoor, uncovered venue, so dress for the weather, and balloon activities are always subject to change based on wind and weather conditions. The festival also operates under a no-refund policy, so it’s worth checking the forecast before locking in plans.
Whether you’re chasing the perfect balloon-glow photo or just looking for a fun weekend outing with the kids, the Plano Balloon Festival delivers one of the most colorful, memorable events on the North Texas fall calendar. Mark the third weekend of September, bring the whole family, and look up.
Tickets and full event details: planoballoonfest.org
