Every Labor Day weekend, the skies over Colorado Springs turn colorful with rising hot air balloons. The Colorado Springs balloon festival is not only 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.
Now in its 47th year, the free Colorado Springs balloon festival is a favorite tradition for many locals. Kids, families and people of all ages and walks of life wake up early to be inspired by those colorful balloons lifting off into the morning skies — or they wander among the glowing orbs at night during the balloon glows. The Labor Day Lift Off is a must-do for any Springs’ local, and once you go, it will probably become a tradition.
Each year the balloon festival gets bigger and better with a wide range of events and activities. Here are highlights of what’s new and what’s happening at this year’s Labor Day Lift Off.
The Balloons
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, Allycorn the Unicorn and more, are always fun favorites. Daily morning balloon lift offs happen at 7-9 a.m. Sunset balloon glows start at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2 and Sunday, Sept. 3.
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 you can choose between shared or private rides, each approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Rates begin at $395 per person. Just be sure to book your balloon flight early.
New Drone Light Shows
The Labor Day Lift Off is even more than a hot air balloon festival. Drone light shows are a new 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 5:45 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The drones light up the night sky at 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Early Neighborhood Balloon Festivals
Get an early jump on your balloon festival weekend with the Labor Day Lift Off Aloft. The unique, pre-LDLO event brings balloons directly to neighborhoods around Colorado Springs. Two Aloft locations are confirmed for 2023: Banning Lewis Ranch and Panorama Park. Keep an eye out for a third Labor Day Lift Off Aloft location that organizers are hoping to add. Each takes place the morning of Aug. 31, with live music, activities and, of course, hot air balloons.
Live Music and Concert Series
Dance to live music each afternoon and night of the festival. Here’s the lineup:
Missy and the Dirty Secrets
Sept. 2 at 3:30-5 p.m.
Female-fronted rock from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and ’00s.
Cody Cozz
Sept. 2 at 6-7 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m.
The Nashville country star grew up in Pueblo.
Mosquito Pass
Sept. 3 at 3:30-5 p.m.
Classic and outlaw country, Southern rock and a little bluegrass
The Martini Shot Band
Sept. 4 at 6-7 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m.
High energy pop and rock covers from one of Southern Colorado’s favorite bands.
4ID Mile High Rock Band
Sept. 5 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 Orangetheory 5K race at 9 a.m. The 5K starts at the IAFF Fallen Firefighters Memorial (northwest corner of Memorial Park), heads though 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. 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 $2 off drinks in the beer garden, as well as discounts at participating food trucks and vendors. It’s a good incentive to get their early for the evening concerts, balloon glows and other activities.
The Pepsi Family Rodeo Zone
Let your little cowboys and cowgirls test their skills in mutton bustin’ and compete in goat roping. It’s always entertaining — for them and you. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo ZooMobile will have fascinating animal ambassadors and artifacts onsite, and there’s a Nerf Turf Nerf gun arena. The Rodeo Zone will definitely be a fun zone.
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 warbirds flyover on Monday of Labor Day Weekend and more.
Find more info and the full weekend schedule at coloradospringslabordayliftoff.com.
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