Snowmass Village, Colo., (September 4, 2025) – Snowmass Balloon Festival, celebrating its 50th anniversary September 12-14, 2025, will look a little different this year. With fire restrictions in place in Pitkin County, balloons will remain grounded for this year’s festival unless conditions improve. Instead, they will do a static inflate, meaning balloons will still inflate but will not leave the ground.  

This precaution was made with safety as the top priority. Fire restrictions prohibit chase vehicles from parking in long grass, which is essential for safely tracking each balloon’s landing. Combined with unseasonably warm temperatures in the forecast and ongoing drought conditions, the decision was made out of an abundance of caution. Should conditions improve or restrictions change, all updates will be shared at www.gosnowmass.com. 

“While current fire restrictions are impacting the festival this year, the magic of the Snowmass Balloon Festival is still very much alive,” says Julia Theisen, Tourism Director, Snowmass Tourism. “From the iconic Night Glow to the colorful static inflations each morning, plus family activities and giveaways, guests can still expect a vibrant and memorable 50th anniversary celebration. One of the favorite photo ops at the festival is standing among the balloons as they are inflating, being surrounded by color and larger-than-life designs. That experience will remain unchanged – the balloons will just remain close to the ground instead of lifting up into the sky.” 

The festival kicks off with Friday evening’s Night Glow, which remains unchanged and will light up the valley from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. Guests are invited to stroll among the glowing, tethered balloons set against the mountain backdrop, while enjoying concessions and complimentary glow items. Saturday and Sunday mornings, from 7:00am and until 9:00am, will feature a festival atmosphere with 15 hot balloons inflating each morning. Guests can enjoy coffee and pastries, shop limited-edition t-shirts and posters, and explore the Kids’ Zone, complete with balloon-themed coloring books and pages. Free giveaways—including special-edition playing cards, stickers, and trading cards—will be available while supplies last. A Spanish language translator stationed at the Guest Services booth can assist with navigating the grounds and answering any questions.   

The fire restrictions will impact parking as well. There will be absolutely no parking along the shoulder on any roads within Snowmass Village due to drought conditions, including Brush Creek and Owl Creek Roads adjacent to the festival grounds. There is limited parking at Snowmass Town Park and within the Village (Base Village Parking Garage and Numbered Lots) on a first come, first served basis. Guests are recommended to park at the Brush Creek Park & Ride and take the Snowmass Village Shuttle to Snowmass Town Park. Shuttles will run more frequently on Saturday and Sunday mornings to provide easy access to Balloon Festival.  

For updated information, please visit www.gosnowmass.com/event/snowmass-balloon-festival-2/2025-09-12/  and follow @SnowmassLocal on Instagram. 

For photos of the Snowmass Balloon Festival, click here. Please credit the photographer listed instead of Snowmass Tourism.   

About Snowmass Village, Colorado – A renowned winter playground and vibrant summer community just 9 miles from Aspen, Snowmass consistently ranks as one of the best winter ski areas and summer mountain biking destinations in the world. Snowmass, along with the rest of the Roaring Fork Valley, is the only IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) Gold-Level Ride Center™ in Colorado, one of only 7 in the world. Surrounded by breathtaking peaks and adjacent to 2.8 million acres of wilderness, the Village offers 95% slopeside lodging, is home to 30+ restaurants, and offers a variety of shops, unique special events, an abundance of live music, family activities, and much more. For more information and a complete calendar of events and activities, please visit www.gosnowmass.com.   

Snowmass Tourism Media Contact: Sara Stookey Sanchez, Public Relations Manager, Snowmass Tourism; sstookey@gosnowmass.com.    

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