DC Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026: Tickets, Glow Show & Weekend Guide

The DC Hot Air Balloon Festival brings two family-friendly evenings of tethered hot air balloons, food and craft vendors, live entertainment, and a synchronized balloon glow + laser show to Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, MD — just south of Washington, DC. Dates for 2026 are Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15.

Start with the activity page for dates and links: DC Hot Air Balloon Festival. Official details and live weather timing live on BalloonShows.com and this weekend’s show updates.

When: August 14 & 15, 2026
Where: Rosecroft Raceway, 6336 Rosecroft Dr, Fort Washington, MD 20744
Gates: 5:00 PM nightly
Grand finale: Balloon glow & lasers ~9:00 PM nightly
Parking: On-site at Rosecroft — arrive early; lots fill before the evening glow.

Promoter schedule for both nights (weather can shift balloon timing — check live updates):

5:00 PM — Gates open; food, craft vendors, and kids activities
6:00 PM — Balloon set-up begins (weather permitting)
7:00 PM — Live entertainment / DJ
8:00 PM — Tethered balloon rides begin (weather permitting)
9:00 PM — Hot air balloon glow + laser light show (the main event)

Admission is typically listed in the $10–$75 range depending on ticket type and timing. Listings note children aged 5 and under are often free — confirm the current FreshTix tier before you buy. Tickets are limited; buy ahead via FreshTix (DC Balloon Festival).

General admission does not include tethered balloon rides.

Bucket-list moment: ride in a real tethered hot air balloon above the festival grounds. Rides are commonly about $35 per person, sold during the event (and sometimes reservable in advance), first come first served, and always weather-permitting. Reserve or learn more at BalloonShows balloon rides.

Around 9:00 PM each night, pilots synchronize burner “burns” so giant balloons glow in time with music while high-powered lasers paint the sky. Grab a field spot earlier in the evening — front-row grass fills up before the countdown.

Expect festival food vendors and desserts, craft/retail booths, a kids zone with inflatables and games, and DJ / live entertainment through the evening. It’s an all-ages night — plan snacks and a bathroom stop before the glow if you’re with little ones.

The festival runs rain or shine, but balloon inflation, tethered rides, and the glow are weather-permitting. No balloon set-up in unsafe conditions — watch live show updates the day of.

Lawn chairs or blankets, sealed water, comfortable shoes for grass fields, and a camera or phone with a charged battery. Layers help once the sun drops.

At this venue, only service animals are allowed (no pets). The event is handicap accessible, with accessible parking and entry; surfaces are a mix of grass and pavement.

No outside alcohol, drones, fireworks, glass, grills, or pets. Outside food/drink rules can vary — sealed water is the safe bet; confirm on the official FAQ if you plan a picnic cooler.

National Harbor hotels are about 8 miles from Rosecroft and work well if you want restaurants and a waterfront base. Washington, DC hotels are roughly 12 miles out for a city stay with a rideshare or drive to Fort Washington. Book early for mid-August weekends.

No — tethered rides are sold separately and are weather-permitting.

Yes — lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged for the glow.

Yes — on-site parking at Rosecroft Raceway. Arrive early.

Yes — it’s promoted as all-ages / family-friendly, with a kids zone and evening entertainment.

Buy tickets on FreshTix, confirm venue timing on the official event page, and refresh this weekend’s show for weather and ride announcements.