Carolina BalloonFest

Carolina BalloonFest Get ready! The 51st E.P.I.C. Studios Carolina BalloonFest will take place October 16-18, 2026! Over the recent five years, National Balloon Rally Charities, Inc.

Carolina BalloonFest, as a nonprofit and a festival, hosts an annual family-friendly event held during the third weekend in October. Bring your cameras, lawn chairs and blankets to experience our fun-filled weekend of outstanding entertainment, attractions, and activities while taking in the warm, autumn Carolina sun, between our morning and afternoon scheduled flights. Activities include:

Speci

al Shapes
3 Mass Ascensions
2 Hot Air Balloon Sanctioned Competitions
Friday & Saturday Evening Balloon Glow
Hot Air Balloon Flights
Tethered Balloon Rides
Pilot Meet & Greet
Wine & Craft Beer Garden
Main Stage Entertainment
Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course
Kids Zone & Stage
Walk In Balloon
Artisan Village & MarketPlace
Eat Street & Beer Tent

Our Mission...
To continue the heritage of hot air ballooning in Iredell County, spotlight the community of Statesville and donate a percentage of Carolina BalloonFest proceeds to local nonprofit organizations. has contributed over $787,000 to local nonprofits who volunteer many hours with us to host this tradition for thousands of spectators!

🎈 Meet Joseph Hamilton!Traveling from Hobe Sound, FL, Joseph has been part of the Carolina BalloonFest family for 5 year...
09/04/2026

🎈 Meet Joseph Hamilton!

Traveling from Hobe Sound, FL, Joseph has been part of the Carolina BalloonFest family for 5 years, flying "Last One." One of Joseph's favorite things about Carolina BalloonFest is that the community loves the balloons. A special memory from the festival is meeting Eli Gilliland, who Joseph describes as the best crew chief they've ever had.

We're excited to welcome Joseph back to the E.P.I.C. Studios Carolina BalloonFest this October! If you see him around the festival, be sure to say hello and help us give him a warm Carolina BalloonFest welcome.

📅 October 16–18, 2026
Get your tickets: carolinaballoonfest.com

Sponsor Spotlight: Wine Maestro It takes an entire community to bring EPIC Studios Carolina BalloonFest to life—from vol...
09/03/2026

Sponsor Spotlight: Wine Maestro
It takes an entire community to bring EPIC Studios Carolina BalloonFest to life—from volunteers and pilots to the businesses that believe in what this event means for Statesville.

A big thank you to Wine Maestro for being part of this year's festival. Your support helps create a weekend that welcomes thousands of visitors and showcases the very best of our community.

🎟️ Join us October 16–18! Get your tickets at carolinaballoonfest.com

Statesville, NC

What if you didn’t just WATCH the balloons… but actually flew in one? 🎈If a hot air balloon ride has been sitting on you...
09/02/2026

What if you didn’t just WATCH the balloons… but actually flew in one? 🎈

If a hot air balloon ride has been sitting on your bucket list, 51st Carolina BalloonFest is your chance to experience the festival from a whole new perspective.

Hot air balloon rides are booked directly with participating commercial pilots, and rides are selling out quickly! If you’re hoping to take to the skies during festival weekend, now is the time to start making your plans.

🎈 EPIC Studios Carolina BalloonFest
📅 October 16–18, 2026
📍 Statesville, NC

Don’t wait until festival weekend! Visit our website to find participating pilots and book your balloon ride before availability fills up: https://www.carolinaballoonfest.com/book-a-ride

🎈 Meet Charles Page!Traveling from Cleveland, NC, Charles has been part of the Carolina BalloonFest family for 42 years,...
09/02/2026

🎈 Meet Charles Page!

Traveling from Cleveland, NC, Charles has been part of the Carolina BalloonFest family for 42 years, flying "Big Oh!" One of Charles's favorite things about Carolina BalloonFest is that he considers it the best rally in the country. A special memory is almost winning $25,000 one year.

We're excited to welcome Charles back to the E.P.I.C. Studios Carolina BalloonFest this October! If you see him around the festival, be sure to say hello and help us give him a warm Carolina BalloonFest welcome.

📅 October 16–18, 2026
Get your tickets: carolinaballoonfest.com

For more than 50 years, EPIC Studios Carolina BalloonFest has brought people together through colorful skies, unforgetta...
09/01/2026

For more than 50 years, EPIC Studios Carolina BalloonFest has brought people together through colorful skies, unforgettable experiences, and community spirit.

We're proud to recognize Statesville Country Club for helping continue that tradition.

Thank you for your partnership—we're excited to celebrate with you this October!

🎟️ Plan your visit today: carolinaballoonfest.com

October 16-18, 2026
Statesville, NC

🎈 Meet Randy Kirgiss!Traveling from Gray, TN, Randy has been part of the Carolina BalloonFest family for 1 year, flying ...
08/31/2026

🎈 Meet Randy Kirgiss!

Traveling from Gray, TN, Randy has been part of the Carolina BalloonFest family for 1 year, flying "AIR APPARENT." One of Randy's favorite things about Carolina BalloonFest is that it's a professionally run, well-organized event with an incredible local community of supporters, spectators, and landowners. A special memory is landing on the property of a gracious, welcoming, and entertaining host whose stories, humor, and hospitality made the experience every bit as memorable as the flight itself.

We're excited to welcome Randy back to the E.P.I.C. Studios Carolina BalloonFest this October! If you see him around the festival, be sure to say hello and help us give him a warm Carolina BalloonFest welcome.

📅 October 16–18, 2026

🎈 Meet Jae Randy Lee!Traveling from Four Oaks, NC, Lee has been part of the Carolina BalloonFest family for 22 years, fl...
08/30/2026

🎈 Meet Jae Randy Lee!

Traveling from Four Oaks, NC, Lee has been part of the Carolina BalloonFest family for 22 years, flying "Spellbound Spirit III." One of Lee's favorite things about Carolina BalloonFest is the people in the Statesville area. He considers Carolina BalloonFest his home festival and feels honored to be from a state with such a rich history in shaping the sport of hot air ballooning.

We're excited to welcome Lee back to the E.P.I.C. Studios Carolina BalloonFest this October! If you see him around the festival, be sure to say hello and help us give him a warm Carolina BalloonFest welcome.

📅 October 16–18, 2026
Get your tickets: carolinaballoonfest.com

You'll see Animal Hospital of Statesville throughout EPIC Studios BalloonFest this October—and for good reason.Their par...
08/29/2026

You'll see Animal Hospital of Statesville throughout EPIC Studios BalloonFest this October—and for good reason.

Their partnership helps create an event that welcomes visitors from across the country while supporting the Statesville community.
We're grateful to have them as part of this year's festival.

🎈 Ready to experience EPIC Studios Carolina BalloonFest?
Tickets are available now at carolinaballoonfest.com

October 16-18, 2026
Statesville, NC

🎈 Meet Barbara McKinley!Traveling from Siler City, NC, Barbara has been part of the Carolina BalloonFest family for 10 y...
08/28/2026

🎈 Meet Barbara McKinley!

Traveling from Siler City, NC, Barbara has been part of the Carolina BalloonFest family for 10 years, flying "Morning Star." One of Barbara's favorite things about Carolina BalloonFest is its connection to her heritage, as her father was an original organizer and safety officer. A special memory is flying a young boy with cancer.

We're excited to welcome Barbara back to the E.P.I.C. Studios Carolina BalloonFest this October! If you see her around the festival, be sure to say hello and help us give her a warm Carolina BalloonFest welcome.

📅 October 16–18, 2026
Get your tickets: carolinaballoonfest.com

🎈 The 2026 Special Shapes are coming to Carolina BalloonFest!They’re larger than life, full of personality and always on...
08/26/2026

🎈 The 2026 Special Shapes are coming to Carolina BalloonFest!

They’re larger than life, full of personality and always one of the most fun sights in the sky.

We’re excited to welcome this year’s lineup of Special Shape balloons to Statesville:
🎈 Misterz
🎈 Bella the Bulldog
🎈 Buster the Bulldog

Get your cameras ready because you’re definitely going to want a photo when these one-of-a-kind balloons make their appearance!

📅 October 16–18, 2026
📍 Statesville, NC
🎟️ Get your tickets: carolinaballoonfest.com

Address

531 Old Airport Road
Statesville, NC
28677

Telephone

+17044956735

Website

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