The Great Texas Balloon Race: A Sky-High Celebration in Longview, TX
Every summer, the skies over East Texas fill with color as dozens of hot air balloons lift off, glow after dark, and compete for top titles at the Great Texas Balloon Race in Longview, TX. It’s a one-of-a-kind event that’s part spectator sport and part small-town summer festival.
Whether you’re chasing balloons at sunrise or want to see them light up the night, here’s what you need to know to plan your visit, including how to see a launch, where to catch a glow, and why this event is so much more than just pretty pictures.
🎈 What Is the Great Texas Balloon Race?
The Great Texas Balloon Race (GTBR) is one of the longest-running hot air balloon events in Texas. It’s a competitive balloon race, meaning it’s not just about pretty pictures (though you’ll definitely get those). Pilots compete in complex navigational tasks that test their skill and precision, aiming to drop bean bags as close as possible to marked ground targets using only the wind to guide their path.
When and where does it take place?
Where: Longview Convention Complex + surrounding areas
Address: 1123 Jaycee Drive, Longview TX
Parking: General parking lots (free) can be found on Jaycee Drive.
When: Typically a week in June
2026 Dates: June 12-13th, 2026. Check greattexasballoonrace.com for official dates.
What happens at the Great Texas Balloon Race?
The Great Texas Balloon Race is a full week of competitive flying and small-town festival fun. Each morning begins with sunrise launches and precision flying challenges, as some of the best hot air balloon pilots in the world compete in high-skill navigation tasks. Then, on Friday and Saturday evening, the event transforms into a summer festival with family-friendly activities, food trucks, live music, and special balloon displays. The event grounds come alive with concerts, tethered balloon rides, and the beloved balloon glow, when balloons light up the night sky in a magical, synchronized display.
Morning Racing Events (Mon-Sun):
While the festival events (like the balloon glow, tethered rides, Kids Land, concerts, and drone show) take place on Friday and Saturday evening only, the competitive balloon flying happens each morning, with pilots launching from Monday through Sunday.
Pilot Briefings kick off the day at 5:45 a.m. at Maude Cobb Convention Center
Best viewing strategy? Arrive early, chat with crews outside the convention center (only pilots are allowed at briefings), and follow the chase cars. On mornings when target locations are announced (usually weekends), head to the target zone to watch the balloons come toward you.
Pilots determine their own launch locations, so it’s a real-time strategy game on wheels.
Evening Festival Events (Fri & Sat):
In many ways, the festival part of the Great Texas Balloon Race feels like small-town America at its best. It’s not just about the balloons—It’s the atmosphere.
There’s a Kids Land on-site with all the classics: pony rides, a petting zoo, bouncy houses, games, and face painting. It’s just five dollars per kid for the day (on top of your regular festival ticket), and a total hit with families.
As the evening rolls on, you’ll find live music, food trucks, and a relaxed, friendly crowd. One of the big highlights is the evening balloon glow, when the pilots fire up their burners and light their balloons in a stunning, synchronized display. It usually happens between 8:45 and 9:30 p.m. and is absolutely worth sticking around for.
Before the glow kicks off, you can hop on a tethered balloon ride. These short rides lift you about 30 feet in the air, which is just enough to get a taste of the view from above. They’re twenty-five dollars per person, start around 7:00 p.m., and are first-come, first-served as long as the weather cooperates.
Here’s a list of highlights from the Great Texas Balloon Race festival activities:
Kids Land with pony rides, petting zoo, bouncy houses, games, and face painting
Live music and local food vendors on-site
Special shape balloons on display
Past favorites include bumblebees, pigs, and cartoon characters.
Inflate at various locations around Longview Friday and Saturday mornings from 7:00 to 7:45 a.m.
Evening inflations take place during the balloon glow around 8:50 p.m. at the event grounds.
Tethered balloon rides available for $25 per person
Start around 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights
Weather permitting and first-come, first-served
Evening balloon glow from about 8:45 to 9:30 p.m.
Balloons light up in a synchronized display
Drone light show follows the balloon glow
Live concerts both before and after the balloon glow and drone show
🎟️ Ticket Info
Entry tickets are required to access the event grounds and tethered rides.
Tethered rides are first-come, first-served and weather-dependent.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
You can purchase tickets on the official Great Texas Balloon Race website.
❓ FAQs
Q: Can I ride in a hot air balloon?
You can enjoy a tethered ride on-site, but competitive flights are not available for hire during the event.
Q: What’s a tethered ride?
It’s like a vertical joyride: you’ll float up (about 30 feet), take in the view, and come right back down. Perfect for first-timers or those with kids.
Q: Where should I watch the launches?
Head to Maude Cobb Convention Center around 5:30 a.m., wait for the pilot briefing to end, and follow the chase vehicles to a launch site (keeping safety and private property in mind). Or even better, head to the target zone (announced around 6:30 a.m. on weekend mornings) and watch the balloons come to you!
Q: What should I bring?
Lawn chairs or blankets (a Gathre mat or beach towel works great, too!)
Sunscreen and bug spray
Camera or phone for photos
Patience! The wind and weather can delay or sometimes cancel events.
Q: What if it rains?
Balloon flights are weather-dependent. Rain, storms, wind, lightening, are all things that can delay or postpone events. Keep an eye on official channels for updates.
Q: What are the pilots competing for?
The Great Texas Balloon Race is an actual competition. Pilots aim to hit ground targets by tossing or dropping bean bags, navigate to GPS coordinates, and plan smart launch sites based on wind. Each task has a time window, and each pilot has a GPS logger to track accuracy. It’s all about skill, precision, and wind strategy and these are some of the best pilots in the world.
🛻 How to Plan a Day Trip from Dallas
Longview is just a 2 hour drive from Dallas, making it a perfect day trip or quick overnight getaway. Here’s a sample itinerary:
Morning:
Leave Dallas by 4:30 a.m. (yes, we know)
Head to a Target Location at 6:30 a.m.
Watch the balloons, grab breakfast, and enjoy the countryside
Afternoon:
Explore downtown Longview, grab lunch, or head to nearby parks for a break
Evening:
Head to the East Texas Convention Center grounds
Ride a tethered balloon
Watch the Balloon Glow and enjoy live music and festival food
Drive back (or stay overnight for round two!)
Even better, come for the Saturday night glow, stay overnight, and wake up early for Sunday’s race!
Spending one night in Longview gives you the opportunity to enjoy both sides of the event (the festival and the competition) and makes the whole weekend feel like a mini getaway.
Ready to plan your trip? Check the official site for updates.
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