There is something about hot air balloons that still feels a little magical no matter how old you are. Maybe it’s the quiet of an early morning launch. Maybe it’s the way everyone stops what they are doing to look up. Maybe it’s the glow at night when the balloons light up one by one and the whole field feels different for a few minutes.

If you’re looking for hot air balloon festivals near Kansas City, the list is not huge, but there are some good ones. A couple are close enough to make for an easy outing. A couple are more of a road trip. And one of the best local options is not a traditional balloon rally at all, but it is still worth knowing about.

I think that is part of what makes these events fun. They do not all feel the same. Some are full-on community festivals with rides, fireworks, and vendors. Some are quieter and more centered on the balloons themselves. Some are better if you have kids with you. Some are better if you want to pack snacks, bring a blanket, and just enjoy the evening.

If you are trying to figure out which ones are actually worth putting on your calendar, here are the hot air balloon festivals and balloon events near Kansas City I would keep on your radar.

Please be sure to check each event’s website for date changes or cancellations! All dates are accurate as of this posting date, but weather may cause changes.

Hot air balloon rises in sky over Kansas City.

Waterfest in Excelsior Springs, Missouri

June 26 to June 27, 2026
https://www.visitkc.com/events/waterfest/
https://excelsiorchamber.com/community/waterfest/

If you want the easiest balloon event near Kansas City, this is probably the one I would start with.

Waterfest takes place in Excelsior Springs, which makes it close enough to feel simple. You don’t have to turn it into a whole weekend if you do not want to. You can go for an evening, let the kids enjoy the festival atmosphere, and still be home without feeling like you just survived a major trip. Official event listings for 2026 describe Waterfest as a two-day downtown festival with hot air balloon rides, live music, fireworks, a parade, and family activities.

What I like about this one is that it gives you a little more than just the balloons. That matters, especially if you are going as a family. Even if the balloons end up being weather-dependent or more limited than you hoped, there’s still enough happening to make the outing feel worth it. You are not putting all your eggs in one basket.

It also just feels manageable. Sometimes that is what makes an event work. Not every family outing needs to be some huge production. Sometimes the best ones are the ones that are close, easy, and still memorable.

If you are local to Kansas City and want a balloon event that feels fun without being complicated, Waterfest is one of the best options on this list.

Hot air balloon festival near Liberty MO.

Huff ’n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally in Topeka, Kansas

September 11 to September 13, 2026
https://www.huff-n-puff.org/
https://www.huff-n-puff.org/schedule-of-events

If what you really want is a classic hot air balloon rally, Huff ’n Puff is probably the strongest option within easy driving distance of Kansas City.

The official site lists the 51st annual Huff ’n Puff Hot Air Balloon Rally for September 11 through 13, 2026, at the Mount Hope Balloon Field in Topeka. The schedule includes a Friday evening launch window and glow, a Saturday morning launch, another Saturday evening flight window and glow, and a Sunday morning launch. The site also notes that balloon activities are weather permitting, which is always worth remembering with balloon events.

This is the one that feels most like what people picture when they hear the words hot air balloon festival. Open field. Balloons inflating in the distance. That stretch of waiting before liftoff. Then the actual launch, when something that looked enormous and awkward a minute earlier suddenly rises into the sky like it weighs nothing.

And then there is the evening glow, which is honestly one of the prettiest parts of any balloon event. Even if you have seen photos, it is different in person. The burners fire up, the fabric lights from the inside, and everything goes quiet in that strange way crowds sometimes do when they are all watching the same thing.

Topeka is close enough that you can make it a day trip from Kansas City without much trouble. That is part of what makes this one so appealing. It feels like you went somewhere, but it does not require a lot of planning. If you want the most traditional balloon festival experience without driving halfway across the Midwest, this is the one I would pick first.

Great Pershing Balloon Derby in Brookfield, Missouri

September 5 to September 7, 2026
https://www.pershingballoonderby.com/index.php/event-info/event-schedule

Brookfield is more of a drive, so I would not put this in the same category as Excelsior Springs or Topeka. This is more of a plan-ahead event. But if you do not mind driving for something fun, it is one worth knowing about.

The official event schedule lists the Great Pershing Balloon Derby across September 5 through 7, 2026, over Labor Day weekend, with balloon-related events, a parade, and evening Nite Lite activities. The event site also says balloon rides are not sold through the derby itself, which is helpful to know before you go.

This one has more of that classic small-town festival feel. The kind of event that seems like it has been woven into the calendar for a long time. Those are often the events people remember most. Not because they are the biggest, but because they feel rooted. Familiar. Like generations of people have been showing up for the same weekend and making the same kinds of memories there.

I would choose this one if you like the idea of turning a balloon event into a weekend trip. It is not the easiest option, but that is also part of the charm. You are not just dropping in for an hour. You are planning around it a little. You are making a day of it, maybe two. Sometimes that extra effort is what makes something feel special later.

If you want the strongest road trip option within a reasonable regional drive, Great Pershing belongs on the list.

Hot air balloon from beneath at the Pershing Derby.

Sunflower Balloonfest in Anthony, Kansas

https://www.anthonykansas.org/sunflower-balloonfest

Anthony is definitely not a quick Kansas City outing, but I still think it belongs in a roundup like this because it is more of a destination balloon festival.

The official Sunflower Balloonfest page describes it as a three-day event with hot air balloon rides, a parade, helicopter rides, a kite festival, a car show, and more. I did not find a current 2026 date posted on the official page, so this is one to watch rather than one to lock into your calendar right now.

That said, if you are the kind of person who does not mind a drive for a good festival, this one sounds like the sort of event you build a trip around. It is less about squeezing in a quick family outing and more about deciding you want the whole experience.

That is useful to know because not every reader is looking for the same thing. Some people want close and easy. Some people want memorable enough to justify the miles. If you are in the second group, Sunflower Balloonfest is worth keeping an eye on.

Hot air balloons rise in the sky over Overland Park, KS.

Puppets a-Glow-Go at the National WWI Museum and Memorial

Most recent event: November 14 to November 15, 2025
https://www.stonelionpuppets.org/pagg
https://www.theworldwar.org/events/puppets-glow-go-nov-2025

This is the most Kansas City specific option on the list, and it has a very different feel from the others.

Puppets a-Glow-Go is not a traditional balloon rally. It is a glow event at the National WWI Museum and Memorial that combines illuminated puppets, visual art, and balloon elements. The most recent official event pages I found were for November 14 and 15, 2025, and I did not find a newly posted 2026 date yet.

I still think it is worth including because it is local and memorable and feels distinctly Kansas City. Not every balloon-related event has to be a sunrise launch in a field. Sometimes a more creative local event is exactly what people are looking for, especially if they want something different from the usual festival setup.

If you are looking for the most traditional balloon experience, I would still prioritize Huff ’n Puff or Great Pershing. But if you want something closer to home with a more artistic feel, this is worth watching for future dates.

A few things to know before you go

The biggest thing to know about any hot air balloon event is that weather matters. A lot.

That is true whether the event is five minutes from your house or a couple of hours away. Balloon launches and glows depend on wind and conditions, and sometimes that means plans change. That is normal. It is just part of how balloon events work, and it is worth going in with that expectation. Huff ’n Puff’s official schedule says exactly that.

If your main goal is actually seeing balloons lift off, the morning launch windows are usually your best bet. If your main goal is atmosphere, evening glows are hard to beat. They are usually the most dramatic and the most photogenic, and they tend to work well for families because the event feels a little more festive.

I also think it helps to arrive earlier than you think you need to. Parking gets fuller. Good spots disappear fast. Kids handle things better when no one is rushing. Bring water, a few snacks, and chairs or a blanket if the event is more field-style. Those small things can make the whole evening go more smoothly.

My Advice

If you want the easiest hot air balloon event near Kansas City, start with Waterfest in Excelsior Springs.

If you want the most classic balloon rally within an easy drive, Huff ’n Puff in Topeka is probably your best bet.

If you want to turn it into more of a weekend outing, Great Pershing Balloon Derby is worth the drive.

And if you want something local and a little different, Puppets a-Glow-Go is one to keep on your radar for future dates.

TLDR: there are not dozens of hot air balloon festivals right in Kansas City, but there are enough good options within reach to make it a fun tradition if your family loves that kind of thing.

And honestly, it is hard to regret an evening spent outside watching hot air balloons light up the sky.

Did I miss any great hot air balloon events or festivals around Kansas City? Let me know in the comments below! And if you’re using this post to plan your outing, PLEASE don’t forget to check the event’s actual website to confirm date, location, and timing.

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