The Winthrop Washington Balloon Festival
Updated: August 25th, 2026
Is the Winthrop Balloon Festival happening in 2027? What changed.
The Winthrop Balloon Roundup as it existed for 30 years is not happening in 2027. Seattle Ballooning, the largest ride operator and the company that marketed and coordinated the event since 2022, is not participating. The Winthrop Chamber of Commerce has decided to take over the event and run it as its own official festival. The pilots did not want the event taken over and changed, and the majority of pilots are not attending as a result. Seattle Ballooning, our balloons, our glow balloons, and our ride flights will not be part of it. It was one of our favorite events, and we are sad to see it end. If you are planning a trip to Winthrop this winter, contact the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce directly and ask what to expect. We cannot answer for their event.
Flying In The Winthrop Balloon Festival (Details)
The Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival (Winthrop Balloon Roundup) was a special event for many Washington State balloon pilots. Most pilots brought their families for a fun-filled weekend of ballooning, ice skating, and cross-country skiing. It was one of the best ways to experience nature is to hop into a hot air balloon during the Winthrop Balloon Roundup and soar over it. Getting the oppotunity to fly up 4000 feet in the air, and see all that the beautiful Okanogan valley was amazing. 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, hot air balloons inflated behind the Winthrop Inn. Seattle Ballooning marketed and coordinated, and in the past few years there were 10-15 balloons all inflating at the same time. In 2027, there will be less balloons due to changes to the festival.
History Of The Winthrop Balloon Festival
For more than 30 years, balloon pilots have gathered in Winthrop each winter for what began as an informal fly in, and has grown into the Winthrop Balloon Festival. This is one of 4 hot air balloon festivals in the Northwest and is the only winter hot air balloon festival in Washington State. What was unique about this hot air balloon festival is that any balloon pilot who wants to come can attend. That’s because the balloons are similar to the Monarch Butterflies. Any balloon pilot who wanted to come can attend. The pilots pay their own way and decide each day whether to fly, returning like Monarch butterflies each winter. From 2022 through 2026, Seattle Ballooning heavily marketed the festival, coordinated with the attending pilots, brought a third to half of the balloons, supplied the balloons for the glow in downtown Winthrop, and operated most passenger flights. In 2020 and 2021, before that marketing began, only a handful of balloons attended and about 100 people came to watch. By 2026, thousands were coming each winter. The Winthrop Chamber of Commerce supported the pilots with propane. In 2026, the Chamber decided to take over the event and run it as its own official festival, and the open pilot gathering ended.
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 height above the river, and at other times the balloon will climb thousands of feet into the air.
Schedule for the Winthrop Hot Air Balloon Festival
Winthrop Balloon Festival Launch Schedule
Hot air balloon launch | 7:00 a.m Daily
This year there will be less balloons due to disagreements with balloon pilots and the Winthrop Chamber. 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 7:00 am and typically stay aloft until 8:30 am. 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 6th, 2027, Winthrop Balloon Glow (Unconfirmed)
Winthrop Balloon Glow | 5:00-6:45 pm.
The balloon glow is unconfirmed as there is only one old balloon that is being brought to the festival. The other pilots that brought old small balloons in the past are not attending this year. If it occurs, 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 highlight of the balloon glow was that Seattle Ballooning brought out the 12th modern-day balloon ever built. It’s from 1965. It’s pretty cool!
Best place to view hot air balloons during the Winthrop Balloon Festival
This year with so few balloons attending, it may be a year to skip it. If you still want to attend, the best place to view hot air balloons during the Winthrop Balloon Festival (Winthrop Balloon Roundup) is from the festival grounds. You can come 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.
Taking the best photos at The Winthrop Balloon Festival
The best way to get epic photos was by flying with Seattle Ballooning. 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 winds. For the most part, we find that 2 out of the 3 flights get off the ground during the Winthrop Balloon 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 firsthand 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 5th – 7th. This year will have less balloons due to disagreements with the pilots and the chamber. Hot air balloons launch each morning. The glow may or may not happen as the attendace of balloons will be very low this year. For the most accurate schedule and daily flight status contact the Wintrhop Chamber.
How many hot air balloons will be present at the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
In the past, there were 15-25 hot air balloons. In 2027, there will less balloons due to disagreements with the pilots and the chamber. 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.
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.
How can I book a hot air balloon ride for the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
Seattle Ballooning is not attending this year and will not be offering hot air balloon rides at the Winthrop Balloon Roundup / Winthrop Balloon Festival
What is the balloon glow event at the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
The balloon glow was the highlight of the Winthrop Balloon Festival. It typically takes place on Saturday evening in downtown Winthrop. Unfortunately, due to so few balloons attending this year, the glow may or may not happen.
How do I know if a day’s event at the Winthrop Balloon Festival is canceled due to weather?
Contact the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce for any weather questions
Where is the Winthrop Hot Air 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.
What safety measures are in place for the hot air balloons at Winthrop Balloon Festival?
Safety is a top priority at the Winthrop Balloon Festival. Unfortunately, this year many of the experienced pilots and commercial pilots will not be attending. All participating balloon operators adhere to stringent safety guidelines. For specifics on balloon safety measures, you can learn more here.
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 about the Winthrop Balloon Festival?
If you have any additional questions about the Winthrop Balloon Round Up hot air balloon festival, contact the Winthrop Chamber.
