Seventy Balloons, the Colorado River, and a Glow Show That Leaves Children Speechless

The 15th annual Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair runs January 22 to 25, 2026, in Lake Havasu State Park, with 70-plus hot air balloons in daily mass ascensions over the Colorado River, afternoon tethered rides, the evening “Glowin’ on the River” Night Glow, carnival entertainment, and general admission at $20 with children 10 and under free.

Event details

The 15th annual Havasu Balloon Festival and Fair runs January 22 through 25, 2026, in the Windsor 4 area of Lake Havasu State Park, Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The festival’s theme, “Color on the Colorado,” organizes four days of hot air balloon programming above the Colorado River shoreline, with more than 70 balloons confirmed to ascend each morning in mass ascensions that begin at sunrise. The event is recognized as one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association, a designation that reflects both its scale and its logistical consistency across 15 annual editions. General admission is $20, with children aged 10 and younger admitted free. Tickets are available at the Balloon Fest store at 2109 McCulloch Boulevard, Lake Havasu City, or at the gate during the festival.

Four Days on the Colorado Waterfront

Each event day opens with a sunrise flag ceremony, followed by the mass ascension as the balloon field inflates and lifts in sequence. In the afternoon, tethered balloon rides offer close-range access for attendees who want to leave the ground without committing to a full free flight. Evening programming centers on the “Glowin’ on the River” Night Glow, a tethered balloon illumination event where the envelope burners fire in synchronization to music, producing a display that is visible from the London Bridge and the Channel waterfront. The carnival midway runs throughout each day with rides and games positioned for family use. Live entertainment from local bands occupies the main stage across all four afternoons and evenings. Food vendors representing diverse cuisines operate throughout the grounds.

If You’re Going With Kids: The Night Glow is the single most impactful experience for children at the festival. The sight of 20-plus balloons lit from within against a dark sky, synchronized to music at water’s edge, produces a response from children that photographs do not adequately capture. Arrive at the state park grounds by 5:30 PM to secure a viewing position before the illumination sequence begins. Younger children should bring ear protection for the proximity to burners during tethered rides and the glow event.

Lake Havasu in January: Why the Timing Rewards Careful Planning

Lake Havasu City in late January averages daily highs near 68 degrees Fahrenheit and lows in the mid-40s. The balloon ascensions at sunrise are the coldest part of the day and the best part of the festival, which means layering for a cold morning and shedding layers as the day warms is the correct approach rather than leaving jackets in the car. Lake Havasu itself is a 45-mile reservoir formed by Parker Dam on the Colorado River, with the London Bridge, relocated from London in 1971, crossing the Bridgewater Channel at the heart of the city. The channel and the bridge are visible from the state park grounds and provide an immediately accessible water-and-landmark combination that families can walk to between festival sessions without a vehicle. Kayak and paddleboard rentals operate along the channel in winter, giving families who arrive a day early a full morning on the water before the festival opens. Lake.com lists vacation rental options in Lake Havasu City across the surrounding residential waterfront neighborhoods, where short-term rentals frequently offer private dock access and channel views.

Note on Pets: Pets are not permitted within the festival grounds at Lake Havasu State Park during the event. This is a firm rule. Plan accordingly if traveling with a dog.