Every Labor Day weekend, the skies over Colorado Springs turn colorful with rising hot air balloons. The Colorado Springs balloon festival is one of the biggest events in the Springs, it’s famous across the country. Google the best balloon festivals in the U.S., and you’ll find the Labor Day Lift Off on all the lists.
The free Colorado Springs balloon festival is celebrating its 49th year, and it has been a favorite tradition for many locals for decades. Kids, families and people of all ages and walks of life wake up early to be inspired by the colorful balloons launching into the morning skies — or they wander among the glowing orbs at night during the balloon glows, drone shows and concerts. Every Springs local needs to do the Labor Day Lift Off at least once, and once you go, it will probably become a tradition.
Every year the Labor Day Lift Off offer new events,activities and ways to have fun. Here are highlights of what’s happening at this year’s balloon festival in Colorado Springs.
The Balloons + New Balloon Shapes
Of course those bright, colorful hot air balloons are the stars of the balloon festival show. You can expect around 70-80 balloons floating in the Colorado Springs sky this year for the largest balloon festival in Colorado. They are beautiful and inspiring in early morning lift offs or illuminated during nightly balloon glows. Specialty shaped balloons, such as Master Yoda, Darth Vader, Claw’d the Crab and more, are always fun favorites. And new special balloon shapes flying this year include:
• Cosmic Crisp — a red apply shaped balloon
• Visit Albuquerque Ristra — hanging a ristra, a bundle of chili peppers, is said to bring good luck and protection
• Mario the Race Car — yeah, he looks kind of like that Mario
• Ziggy — a racccon with a bow in her hair that was designed to be a companion balloon to Zoro who has flown at the LDLO before
• Voluntold — the unique balloon represents the first flight in balloon history, when a sheep, rooster and duck were chosen — or voluntold — to fly.
Daily morning balloon lift offs happen at 7-9 a.m. Sunset balloon glows start at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30 and Sunday, Aug. 31.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
If there’s one thing better than seeing hot air balloons, it’s being up in the air among the balloons at the Labor Day Lift Off. You can take your own sunrise flight with Rainbow Ryders and soar with the colorful balloon fleet. Choose between shared or private rides, each approximately 45 minutes. There are even wheelchair-accessible flights. Rates begin at $375 per person. Just be sure to book your balloon flight early.
Drone Light Shows
The Labor Day Lift Off is even more than a hot air balloon festival. Drone light shows are a recent addition to the lineup with both sunrise and late-night shows. The skies will dance with illuminated, synchronized and choreographed groups of drones arranged in aerial formations. The drone shows are created by Grizzly Drones, a world-leading drone light show provider. Morning shows happen at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The drones light up the night sky at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Live Music and Concert Series
Dance to live music each afternoon and night of the festival. Here’s the lineup:
Hat Trick
Saturday, Aug. 30 at 3-5 p.m.
From soulful blues and ‘60s rock to boot-stomping country, heartland Americana, infectious ‘80s pop, and modern-day chart-toppers.
Cody Cozz
Saturday, Aug. 30 at 6-7 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m.
The Nashville country star grew up in Pueblo.
Bobbi Kerr
Sunday, Aug. 31 at 3:30-5 p.m.
An Arizona-born singer-songwriter in the vein of Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson..
SofaKillers
Sunday, Aug. 31 at 6-7 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m.
High energy mix of rock, pop and dance covers from one of the Springs’ favorite bands.
4ID Mile High Rock Band
Monday, Sept. 1 at 8 a.m.
A wide range of pop, rock, country and jazz from the premier ensemble of Fort Carson’s 4th Infantry Division Band.
Orangetheory 5K at Labor Day Lift Off
Come early on Sunday to get inspired at the balloon launch. Then join the fourth annual Orangetheory 5K race at 9 a.m. The 5K starts at the IAFF Fallen Firefighters Memorial (northwest corner of Memorial Park), heads through the side streets of Memorial Park, wraps around Prospect Lake and finishes at Memorial Park. Register here.
The Lift Off Lounge
Want the VIP experience? The Lift Off Lounge provides an elevated view of everything at Labor Day Lift Off. Escape the crowds in a private tent and seating area with shaded, prime viewing of both the morning lift offs and evening glows. Enjoy catered meals and beer, wine, mimosas and seltzers, plus private restrooms, preferred parking and a Labor Day Lift Off swag bag. Yes, you have to buy tickets. But an extra bonus is automatic entry into a giveaway to win a balloon ride for two (on a date of your choosing) from Rainbow Ryders. Get them here.
Hot Air Happy Hour
The Hot Air Happy Hour will take place at 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. Enjoy discounted drinks in the beer and mimosa gardens, as well as discounts at participating food trucks and vendors. It’s a good incentive to get there early for the evening concerts, balloon glows and other activities.
The Pepsi Family Rodeo Zone
There’s all sorts of family fun to enjoy, including bounce houses, a mechanical bull, ax throwing, carnival rides, bungee trampolines, a Nerf Turf Nerf gun arena and more.
Ever wanted to try stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking? UpaDowna will be at Prospect Lake next to the swimming beach. You can rent SUPs and kayaks with all the gear and instruction on Saturday and Sunday. Register in advance, and get more details at coloradospringslabordayliftoff.com.
Rocky Mountain State Games Parkour Competition
This year’s Rocky Mountain State Games Parkour Competition will be held during Labor Day Lift Off in the Memorial Park skate park. It will be the most incredible parkour speed and tag competitions ever held in the Springs. Find details here.
More Activities
There’s more you don’t want to miss at the Labor Day Lift Off, such as performances by the Wings of Blue U.S. Air Force Skydiving Team, aerial acrobatics by Aerial Aura, a balloon photography workshop and more.
Find more info and the full weekend schedule at coloradospringslabordayliftoff.com.
Read More About Colorado Springs Balloon Festival
Ever wonder what it’s like to fly one of those glowing hot air balloons? Read about our ride-along with long-time pilot Ray Bair in Balloons Bring Joy at Labor Day Lift Off.
