The Great Reno Balloon Race 2026
Up, Up and Away!
The Great Reno Balloon Race, the world’s largest free hot-air ballooning event, will take place September 10-13 at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, just north of downtown Reno. Since its inception in 1982 with 20 balloons, it has grown to feature up to 100 balloons and attracts over 150,000 spectators annually.
The event, a beloved community tradition, celebrates the joy of flight with vibrant colors, inspiring music, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Recognized with numerous awards, it provides a visually dramatic experience, keeping visitors in town during the gap between the Reno Rodeo and Dragon Lights.
For more information and tickets to this event, visit our partner's site.
Learn MoreEvent Itinerary
- Gates Open: 3:30 a.m.
- Super Glow Show: 5 a.m.
- Dawn Patrol: 5:30 a.m.
- Mass Ascension Launch: 7 a.m.
- Balloon Boulevard Shopping: 4:30–11:00 a.m.
Admission is free, but get there early for the best spot on the field!
Parking & Shuttles
With over 125,000 spectators coming out for the event over four days, parking can be challenging. If you were not able to snag one of their Parking Passes this year, there are still several options to get you into the park. There are two parking lots at Rancho San Rafael Park, making for a short walk to the launch field. For a cash-only donation, you can park at the corner of Sierra Street and McCarran, or the Coleman Street lot starting at 3:30 a.m. The University of Nevada, Reno offers their Green and Blue 1 parking lots to the public for free parking, but cars must be out of the lot by 11 a.m. RTC RIDE will be offering free transit service to and from Rancho San Rafael Regional Park for passengers who board at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center’s parking lot. For more information and specifics on parking, check out their Parking & Transportation page.
For more event information, including VIP experiences, activities for kids, and more, check out our Great Reno Balloon Race event guide.