Bluff City Balloon Jamboree Is Father's Day Weekend

Memphis's Hot Air Balloon Festival

Expect dozens of hot air balloons, a carnival with fair rides, arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, and of course, food and drinks! You can buy tethered hot air balloon rides on site for $25 per person, weather permitting. 

There may be opportunities, weather permitting, to see a free mass ascension of the balloons when they take flight on Saturday and Sunday mornings between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. A location will be announced closer to the ascension. Follow Bluff City Balloon Jamborees social media pages for more information.

Memphis Hot Air Balloon Festival Ticket Information

Tickets are $20(+$3 fees) per person aged 11 or older, and parking will be $17. It's free for kids 10 and under. Your GA ticket is good for any day, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Get yours online here.

You will buy tethered rides on site for $25. That’s where you can get in the balloon and ascend, but it’s still attached by cable to the ground.

Bring your chairs and blankets, leave your coolers at home.

Ultimate VIP Experience is $85 - $127.50+fees depending on which day you go. You'll get access to the VIP tent plus:

• A tethered hot air balloon ride
• VIP Tent Access with great views of the balloons and stage
• VIP Parking
• Unlimited Ride Pass for Carnival
• Food buffet and non-alcoholic drinks
• 3 Alcoholic Drink Coupons

Bluff City Balloon Jamboree Schedule

The schedule is the same each day, June 17-19, 2022. Friday through Sunday.

• Gates open at 4 p.m. with the carnival, Kids Zone inflatables, food vendors, arts and craft vendors, hot air balloon photo booth and the VIP tent.
• 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Live entertainment on main stage. Talent to be announced
• 6:00 - 10:00 p.m. Hot air balloon tether rides will be available, weather permitting
• 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Live entertainment on main stage. Talent to be announced
• 7:30 - 8:45 p.m. Hot air balloon “Glow Show”. The balloons light up and are people encouraged to walk around and see them up close!
• 10:00 p.m. Gates close

What is a tethered ride? 

A tethered ride is when the balloons are tied to the ground so you don’t go that high. Perfect for weenies like me who are terrified of heights or who might decide after 30 seconds they're not interested in a hot air balloon ride after all. I had fun last year. It's quick, but it's neat. It's $25 on site, weather permitting.

When it's your turn, the balloon handlers will say “GO!!!” And you have to step in exactly as they say, then the balloon will go up and then it will come back down. Last year the line for tethered rides was long, and while there will be more balloons this year to help with demand I am telling you strongly to get in line EARLY. Do the carnival rides and Pronto Pups after!

The big full-on balloon rides are not available to the public.

A Special Night For Special Kids

The day before the festival opens to the public, the Bluff City Balloon Jamboree will host A Special Night for Special Kids events. During the event, special needs families come to the festival grounds for a free, private event to enjoy all the fun of jamboree (tethered hot air balloon rides included!) There are even wheelchair-accessible balloons! 

Go There: 

Bluff City Balloon Jamboree
Shelby Farms Park
Friday - Sunday, June 17-19, 2022

https://thebluffcityballoonjamboree.com/