Hot Air Balloons 101: What You Need to Know Before You Go
Hot air balloons are one of the most exciting parts of the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival—but they’re also a little tricky. Because of weather and safety rules, the balloons can’t always go up when we’d all like them to. To help clear things up, here’s a quick and simple guide to how ballooning works and what to expect.
Here’s a quick breakdown to help you better understand how it all works:
🌤️ Balloons Aren’t Out All Day—Here’s Why:
While we’d love to have balloons floating in the sky all day, it’s simply not possible. Balloons rely on very specific weather conditions, and unfortunately, that means they can’t be inflated or flown around the clock.
💨 Weather & Wind Matter—a Lot:
Hot air balloons need calm, stable air to safely lift off. That’s why you’ll only see scheduled launches in the early morning and late afternoon—times when the air is more stable. During the day, the sun heats the ground, creating rising columns of warm air (called thermals), which make flying unsafe.
🌧️ No Rain, Please:
Even light rain or the potential for rain will ground a balloon. Wet fabric can affect the balloon's weight and performance, and safety is always the priority—for the pilots, passengers, and spectators.
🌙 No Flights After Dark:
The FAA prohibits balloon flights in the dark, but we can still enjoy the beauty of balloons during our Balloon Glow events. These are tethered displays (weather permitting), where balloons light up the night sky—but even this depends on low wind conditions (ideally under 8–10 mph).
🔥 The Cost of Flight:
Even if balloons could stay up all day, the cost of propane alone would be through the roof. Flying is special—and it’s meant to be.
🤝 Get Involved—Join a Balloon Crew:
Want a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to launch and pack up a hot air balloon? We offer opportunities to volunteer as balloon crew members! It’s a great way to learn the process and see firsthand why some calls get made at the last minute.
🎪 More Than Balloons:
While balloons are the heart of the festival, they’re not the only attraction. You’ll find live entertainment, shopping, food vendors, and a carnival throughout the weekend. It’s a time to gather with family and friends, soak in the festive atmosphere, and enjoy all that the event has to offer—balloons or not.
😎 A Note on Coastal Weather
If you’ve spent any time in South Alabama, you know how quickly the weather can change—especially with coastal winds rolling in from the Gulf of America. Even if balloons are scheduled to go up at a certain time, that doesn’t guarantee they will. Wind speed, direction, storms, and even pop-up showers can delay or cancel a balloon activity altogether.
We do our best to wait until the last possible moment before making the call, just in case the weather shifts in our favor. The festival is scheduled across several days, and some years the weather is perfect the whole time. Other years, not so much—and unfortunately, that part is out of our control.
The best way to stay in the loop? Watch the forecast and follow our social media channels and the News section of our website for the most up-to-date info. We’ll keep you posted on any schedule changes, delays, or cancellations as soon as decisions are made.