The Winthrop Washington Balloon Festival March 6th – March 8th, 2026
The Winthrop Washington Balloon Festival, otherwise known as The 3-day Balloon Roundup, is sure to be a blast for anyone who loves the snow and hot air balloons. If you’re looking to get away for a romantic weekend and some winter fun in a small town, this event is not to be missed. Winthrop attracts two dozen balloonists from all over Washington, Oregon, and Idaho from Friday, March 6th through March 8th, 2026, for a hot air balloon festival in the snow! It’s hard to imagine a better time of year to visit Winthrop Washington!
Flying In The Winthrop Balloon Festival (Details)
The Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival (Winthrop Balloon Roundup) is a special event for many Washington State balloon pilots. Most pilots bring their families for a fun-filled weekend of ballooning, ice skating, and cross-country skiing. One of the best ways to experience nature is by hopping into a hot air balloon during the Winthrop Balloon Roundup and soaring over it. You’ll get to fly up 4000 feet in the air, and you’ll be able to see all that the beautiful Okanogan valley has to offer, including beautiful wildlife! This last Winthrop we saw a pack of 18 deer, some beautiful eagles, and even some fish while flying low over the river!
Each morning at sunrise on March 6th, March 7th, and March 8th, 2026, hot air balloons will inflate behind the Winthrop Inn (weather permitting). After a balloon pilot briefing, the hot air balloon fans will start, and you’ll get to experience something amazing. Seeing a single hot air balloon inflate is amazing. Seeing 10-15 balloons all inflating at the same time is unbelievable. There is no way to explain the excitement. Half of the balloons at the festival are privately owned hot air balloons and do not provide passenger rides. Seattle Ballooning is the main ride operator at the Winthrop Balloon Festival and brings 5-6 commercial hot air balloons. Our hot air balloons carry 40 guests each day between our entire balloons fleet. Looking for something super romantic? Select to book a private flight for two!
History Of The Winthrop Balloon Festival
For the past 30+ years, the small but vibrant town of Winthrop has hosted a hot air balloon festival in the heart of winter. This is one of 4 hot air balloon festivals in the Northwest and is the only winter hot air balloon festival in Washington State.
Winthrop is a cute tiny old western town with antique boardwalks, great boutiques, restaurants, luxurious to cozy overnight options, and every outdoor recreational pursuit you could wish for! Winthrop is nestled up against the pristine Okanogan National Forest. Winthrop offers something for everyone as it showcases the beauty of nature year-round. In wintertime at its finest, Winthrop is surrounded by snow-capped mountains covered in glistening white snow.
How Long Are The Winthrop Balloon Festival Flights
The hot air balloon flights in the Methow Valley last around an hour. All the hot air balloons launch at the Winthrop Inn and catch the valley drainage wind down to the airport (About 6 miles away). At times during the flight, we’ll fly at treetop above the river, and at other times the balloon will climb thousands of feet into the air.
How Much Does It Cost To Fly In The Winthrop Balloon Festival?
Hot air balloon rides at the Winthrop Balloon Festival start at $350 per person and include a post-flight champagne toast. Private flights for two-run $1750. What I can tell you is that this is an experience you’ll be talking about for years. Hot air balloon rides for the Winthrop Balloon Roundup typically sell out by December.
Book Your Balloon Ride Now
If you want a spot, you’ll want to book it as soon as possible. Many passengers book this festival 6-9 months out. There are no waitlists or last-minute cancelations. The flight meeting time is typically right around sunrise (7ish).
Schedule for the Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026
Friday, March 6th, 2026, Winthrop Balloon Festival Launch Schedule
Hot air balloon launch | 7:00 a.m.
You’ll want to be behind the Winthrop Inn (located on Hwy 20 at the south end of Winthrop, 960 Highway 20 ). The hot air balloons will inflate at 7:00am and typically stay aloft until 8:30am. Watching the balloons and taking photos is free. Feel free to come to the balloon launch site or take photos from the ridge on Highway 20.
The best place to park is at the Methow Valley Thriftway across the street from the balloon launch field.
Saturday, March 7th, 2026, Winthrop Balloon Festival Schedule
Hot air balloon launch | 7:00 a.m.
At the Winthrop Inn, balloons will turn on their inflation fans. You’ll see the beautiful colors of the balloons come to life. The balloons float South down the valley and typically land close to the Winthrop Airport. The hot air balloon typically stay in the air for right around an hour to and hour and half. All the balloons typically land by 8:30am. It’s free to check out the event and you are welcome to come to the balloon launch site for photos.
Please park cars at the Methow Valley Thriftway across the street from the balloon launch field.
Saturday, March 7th, 2026, Winthrop Balloon Glow
Winthrop Balloon Glow | 5:00-6:45 pm.
Head across the bridge into downtown Winthrop to watch the balloons inflate at dusk. It’s a really cool event that the whole family will enjoy. The fire from the balloons makes the multicolored fabric glow. You’ll want to come early for the Winthrop Balloon Glow as parking spots go quickly. This balloon glow is a free public and is weather permitting. Typically, 3-5 hot air balloons glow in this event in Downtown Winthrop. The Winthrop Chamber of Commerce hosts some additional activities the night of the glow called sip and stroll. Basically you can get some wine and check out the balloons! The highlight of the balloon glow is that Seattle Ballooning brings out the 12th modern-day balloon ever built. It’s from 1965. It’s pretty cool!
Sunday, March 8th, 2026 Winthrop Balloon Festival Schedule
Hot air balloon launch | 7:00 a.m.
At the Winthrop Inn, the hot air balloons will inflate and launch into the crisp air. The balloons begin inflating at 7:30 am and the balloons generally stay up in the air until about 8:30 am. It’s completely free to watch the balloons launch and take photos. If the weather isn’t good? The balloons won’t show up. Balloons can only fly in good weather. Feel free to check out our Facebook and google page where we will update
Best place to view hot air balloons during the Winthrop Balloon Festival
The best place to view hot air balloons during the Winthrop Balloon Festival (Winthrop Balloon Roundup) is from the sky! Don’t have the funds to jump on a flight? You can still come and watch them fly for free. The hot air balloons are scheduled to launch during each of the three mornings of this event, but if Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, the balloons might not launch. Consider extending your stay so that no matter what happens, you can still experience this wonderful event and enjoy watching all of these colorful balloons take to the sky!
Taking the best photos at The Winthrop Balloon Festival
Hot air balloon festivals are an amazing place for amateur and professional photographers to snap some incredible photos. You can take photos during balloon inflation, balloon flight, and balloon landing. What’s amazing is that hot air balloons are nine stories tall and colorful. Basically, what we are saying is that it is very hard not to look like an amazing photographer when your subjects are this powerful. There are great locations for timelapse and landscape photography off Highway 97. You’ll get an incredible visual display to show off to all your friends!
Weather information about the Winthrop Balloon Festival
As pilots, we are committed to ensuring our guests and crew have a safe experience. Unfortunately, hot air balloons do not fly in adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, thunderstorms, or high wind. If your balloon flight is canceled for poor weather, you’ll have a few options. A credit to fly with us during the summer in front of Mt. Rainier or in Walla Walla over the vineyards. For the most part, we find that 2 out of the 3 flights get off the ground during the festival each year.
Final Details
If you haven’t been to Winthrop, Washington, before, it’s a cute little mountain town that’s centered around the Methow River. It’s four and a half hours from Seattle and a great place to spend an entire weekend. While you are visiting Winthrop for the Balloon Festival, you’ll find there are a ton of other outdoor winter activities! Feel free to call or chat with us on our chatbot if you have any questions or want more details about the Winthrop Balloon Roundup! Also, check out this first hand experience of escaping Seattle for this wonderful winter ballooning weekend
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the schedule for the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
The Winthrop Balloon Festival is a three-day event taking place from March 1st to the 3rd. Each day is packed with exciting activities revolving around hot air balloons, with a special balloon glow event scheduled for Saturday evening. For the most accurate and detailed information on daily events, including any weather-related updates, please refer to the official schedule on the Winthrop Chamber’s website.
How many hot air balloons will be present at the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
The Winthrop Balloon Festival plans to showcase 8-10 hot air balloons. These majestic balloons will gracefully soar through the snow-capped mountains of Winthrop, Washington, providing an awe-inspiring spectacle for attendees.
Are there special photography opportunities at the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
Indeed, the Winthrop Balloon Festival offers unique photography opportunities. The sight of hot air balloons inflating and lifting off against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains makes for stunning pictures. Also, the Saturday evening balloon glow event in downtown Winthrop, when three balloons illuminate the streets, offers a truly mesmerizing scene to capture.
Is it free to watch the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
Yes, watching the Winthrop Balloon Festival is absolutely free. Everyone is welcome to join and experience the spectacle of hot air balloons gracefully soaring in the sky. However, there is a cost associated if you wish to enjoy a ride in a hot air balloon.
How can I ride in a hot air balloon at the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
To partake in a hot air balloon ride at the Winthrop Balloon Festival, you need to book your spot online via the Seattle Ballooning’s website. These tickets are limited and tend to sell out quickly, so it’s recommended to secure your spot 6-9 months in advance.
What is the ideal time to book a hot air balloon ride for the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
Given the high demand and limited availability, it is advisable to book your hot air balloon ride for the Winthrop Balloon Festival 6-9 months in advance. This will ensure you secure a spot and don’t miss out on this spectacular experience.
Are there any restrictions for hot air balloon rides at the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
To get detailed information on any potential restrictions or requirements for the hot air balloon rides at the Winthrop Balloon Festival, please refer to the Seattle Ballooning’s website. It’s important to note that they manage the balloon rides, so they are the best source for such details.
What is the balloon glow event at the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
The balloon glow event is a highlight of the Winthrop Balloon Festival. It takes place on Saturday evening in downtown Winthrop. In this event, three balloons inflate in the dark, illuminating the streets with a mesmerizing glow. This event is open to all spectators and is not dependent on purchasing a balloon ride ticket.
How do I know if a day’s event at the Winthrop Balloon Festival is canceled due to weather?
Updates about the weather and any potential cancellations for the Winthrop Balloon Festival will be posted on the Winthrop Chamber’s website. It’s recommended to check this site regularly during the event for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Where is the Winthrop Balloon Festival held?
The Winthrop Balloon Festival takes place amidst the scenic, snow-capped mountains of Winthrop, Washington. Winthrop is approximately 200 miles northeast of Seattle, making it a perfect weekend getaway from the city. Depending on traffic and the route you choose, the drive typically takes about 4 to 5 hours. Detailed information regarding the exact event location within Winthrop and other logistics will be updated on our official website as we get closer to the event date. Please stay tuned for updates.
Is there an age limit for hot air balloon rides at the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
For detailed information on age restrictions or any other requirements for hot air balloon rides at the Winthrop Balloon Festival, please check the Seattle Ballooning’s website or contact them directly.
What safety measures are in place for the hot air balloon rides at the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
Safety is a top priority at the Winthrop Balloon Festival. All participating balloon operators adhere to stringent safety guidelines. For specifics on these safety measures, it’s best to contact Seattle Ballooning directly, as they manage the balloon rides.
Is parking available at the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
We understand that easy parking is important for our attendees. Specific information about parking availability and locations for the Winthrop Balloon Festival will be provided on our website closer to the event date. We encourage you to check our website regularly for the latest updates.
Have a Question?
If you have any additional questions about flying in the Winthrop Balloon Roundup feel free to give us a call and we can help you out or chat with us here using our Chatbot in the corner.
