The 2024 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival, celebrating its 45th anniversary, is set to dazzle spectators from September 19-22. This event will feature over 40 skilled pilots, guiding a vibrant array of hot air balloons, including unique special shapes. Supported in part by the City of Plano, recognized as the Balloon Capital of Texas, the festival has been a local tradition since 1980, aimed at educating the public about hot air ballooning while supporting local non-profits in their fundraising and awareness efforts.
Visitors can expect to see around 55 vendors, more than 35 corporate exhibitors, and upwards of 2,000 volunteers from across North Texas participate. On the evening of Thursday, September 19, the Plano Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Héctor Guzmán, will perform a selection of beloved musical pieces on the FOX4 Main Stage. As the sun sets, attendees will be treated to the sight of illuminated balloons taking shape against the evening sky, all while enjoying the concert included with festival admission, available from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
For those looking for an elevated experience, a limited number of VIP tickets offering special seating and amenities will be available for purchase by mid-July on the festival’s website. The festival will also host live entertainment including Party Machine, a dance band performing hit songs from various decades on Friday, and a dynamic show by Ice House on Saturday, sponsored by Baylor Heart Hospital Plano | McKinney | Frisco.
The Central Market Kids Fun Zone will be open daily featuring free crafts in the Kids Korner Art Tent, along with unlimited access to carnival rides and inflatables with the purchase of a wristband. Food vendors will serve up classic festival treats like corn dogs and cotton candy, alongside a variety of local merchandise and unique handcrafted goods available for purchase between balloon events.
Tickets will be on sale from July with a cashless system at the gates. The festival operates under a strict no-refund policy, even in cases of event suspension or cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of severe weather, event organizers may delay activities or, if necessary, cancel them depending on conditions. The safety of attendees is paramount, and decisions regarding the continuation of the festival will be made with attendee welfare in mind.
