About 25 balloon teams are expected to participate in the Arizona Balloon Classic in the sixth annual event in January 2019. During the three-day festival, thousands of people will enjoy afternoon balloon glitters, balloon launches and landings by the morning, plus The Hare and Hound, a traditional hot air balloon race. Unsurprisingly, there will be more than that: music, food, a family fun zone, and fireworks.
Dates and Hours
Friday, January 25, 2019 from 4 pm to 8 pm
Saturday, January 26, 2019 from 7 am to 8 pm
Sunday, January 27, 2019 from 7 am to 10 am
Location
Arizona Balloon Classic activities will take place at Goodyear Ballpark – 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear, Arizona 85338.
Admission Price
For any day: $ 15 at the door. The DISCOUNTED ticket promotion begins on Friday, November 23, 2018 (Black Friday). Active military and children 12 and under are always FREE. Group ticket packages available. General parking $ 5.
Discount ticket information
Pair of tickets $ 22 This 25% discount expires on December 24, 2018
ABC8 CLASSIC PASS $ 65
The $ 125 value includes:
- 1 – Spend all weekend / all event
- 1 – event t-shirt
- 2 – Beer garden drinks (beer / wine)
- 2 – Soft drinks (soft drinks / water )
- 4 – Food sampling offered on Saturday, January 26, from 10 am to 4 pm
Schedule of events
The Arizona Balloon Classic: Saturday and Sunday mornings, January 26 and 27. The sky will fill with colorful hot air balloons taking part in the exciting Hare & Hound race from the grassy fields of the Goodyear Ballpark for a spectacular view of mass and color. Spectators can walk on the field and experience balloon inflation and take off. Photos are invited!
Desert Dazzle: Friday and Saturday nights, January 25 and 26 are our most popular activities. A field filled with lighted and tied hot air balloons will glow to the beat of the music.
Other Attractions: “By Reservation” Hot Air Balloon Rides, Family Fun Zone, “Tethered” Hot Air Balloon Rides, Fireworks (Saturday ONLY) Live Entertainment, Lunch at the Food Fest and many other exciting activities. Retail purchases and trade shows for purchase or navigation.
StreetFoodfest – The second annual Street Foodfest is slated to expand with some of the Valley’s best culinary teams, including a Beer Garden, food tasting, West Valley Chef demonstrations and cooking school, food contests, stage of live music and more. Come hungry and stay a while.
Classic Arizona Balloon Tips
A balloon festival spans a large amount of area and quite a bit of time during the day, so here are some tips I’ve put together that I hope will set you up for a memorable weekend of balloon fun and activity at the Arizona Balloon Classic.
- Balloon takeoffs, competitions and flare are always dependent on weather conditions. Safety is the first priority. No rain checks or refunds are given if balloons cannot go up.
- When close to thousands of your friends gather in one place, traffic and parking are likely to be annoying. Get there early, be patient.
- Each day is considered a separate event and a separate ticket is required for each day.
- In an open field at 6:30 a.m. in December, it’s quite cold! Wear layers that you can remove as the day heats up.
- I like to hike, hike, hike at a balloon festival, but I highly recommend bringing those portable folding chairs so you can kick back and enjoy the balloons (and your fried bread or hot dog) comfortably.
- Leave Fido at home, as pets are not allowed.
- Re-entry will be allowed on Saturday night, after the morning races, for those who purchased tickets for Saturday.
- Bring cash for food, it’s easier.
- No outside food or drink will be allowed.
- Don’t forget the camera! There are no restrictions on photography.
More information
Visit the Arizona Balloon Classic online.
All dates, times, prices and offers are subject to change without prior notice.
