UPDATE: Friday canceled; no Saturday morning flights; Delayed open Saturday at 12 noon

Following the 10:00 AM meeting with festival committee members, balloon pilots, and local officials, the difficult decision has been made to cancel all Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival activities for Friday, May 1, 2026.

This decision was made in the interest of safety for our guests, vendors, volunteers, balloon pilots and crews, and festival property, based on the latest forecast from direct communication with the National Weather Service, which includes scattered rainstorms and the potential for wind gusts. These types of conditions are difficult to predict and track in real time, making it unsafe to proceed with today’s activities.

Additionally, Saturday morning balloon flights are also canceled, and our pilots share in the disappointment. Many travel from across the country to be here and to provide the beautiful balloon experiences our community looks forward to each year.

We understand this is disappointing and share in that sentiment, but safety must always remain our top priority.

We extend our sincere thanks to our presenting sponsor, Columbia Southern University, the City of Foley, along with our dedicated volunteers, vendors, partners, and event team for their continued support, flexibility, and commitment to this event.

Looking ahead, Saturday’s festival schedule will have a delayed opening, moving from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (noon). We are encouraged by the current forecast, which is expected to bring cooler temperatures and improved conditions, and we are excited for the opportunity to continue the festival!

Guests are encouraged to check the updated event schedule and follow our official Facebook page and press releases for the latest information regarding Saturday’s timing and activities.

Some good news: OWA Parks & Resort is currently working to provide live entertainment indoors for tonight! We encourage guests to follow OWA’s Facebook page for updates on those activities.

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✨📢 Drone Show Schedule UPDATE! 🤩

We’ve made a small change to our drone show schedule to give you the best possible experience!

👉 The FRIDAY night show is moving to THURSDAY night, with the same start time at 9:15 PM. Saturday night’s show remains as scheduled.

With weather looking a little questionable for Friday—and considering the extensive setup, timing, and high-tech equipment involved—we want to make sure this brand-new addition to the festival shines bright for everyone to enjoy!

🙌 This is our FIRST year featuring a drone show, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring this incredible experience to the Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival!

❓ We know many of you will ask about the 🎈balloon glow — we are continuing to closely watch the weather as always. The great thing is, balloon pilots and crew can set up much quicker, so we’re able to make that call closer to showtime, typically around when tethered ride ticket sales open at 6 PM that day. Stay tuned for updates—follow our Facebook!

🛍️ Be sure to visit our amazing vendors, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the FREE live music on the Island Stage—there’s so much to experience!

📍 Join us at OWA Parks & Resort and come see the sky come alive with lights, music, and motion—it’s something you won’t want to miss!

https://visitowa.com/gulf-coast-hot-air-balloon-festival.../

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22nd Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival Announces Schedule of Events

FOLEY, AL — The schedule of events has officially been released for the 22nd Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival, presented by Columbia Southern University, returning April 30 - May 2, 2026, at OWA Parks & Resort. This three-day celebration will once again bring colorful hot air balloons, live entertainment, family-friendly attractions, and unforgettable evening spectacles to the Gulf Coast. Special thanks to our partners and sponsors; OWA Parks & Resorts, The City of Foley, Coca-Cola & Riviera Utilities.

Festival guests can look forward to three days of balloon activities, live music at the OWA Amphitheater, interactive experiences, and exciting entertainment for all ages. Among the highlights this year are the crowd-favorite Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Shows, returning with multiple performances throughout the weekend. These high-energy shows feature incredible canine athletes performing leaps, flips, and precision catches that continue to wow audiences of all ages.

Another major highlight for 2026 is the all-new and highly anticipated Drone Show, a visually stunning nighttime spectacle making its appearance during the festival’s evening lineup. As hundreds of synchronized drones illuminate the night sky with choreographed light formations, the show promises a modern twist on the festival’s nighttime entertainment and a breathtaking experience for festivalgoers.

Live music will once again take center stage at the OWA Amphitheater, where guests can enjoy performances from talented regional and national acts throughout the weekend. These concerts provide the perfect backdrop for an evening at the festival as guests relax, enjoy food and beverages, and watch the night fill with glowing balloons.

Balloon activities remain the heart of the festival, with interactive hot air balloon displays, tethered rides, and the beloved balloon glow (weather permitting) lighting up the evening skies.

Below is the official schedule of events for the 2026 festival:

Thursday, April 30

4:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Festival Open to the Public
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Yeah Probably at OWA Amphitheater
7:00 PM – 7:35 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Justin Jeansonne at OWA Amphitheater
7:30 PM: Balloon Glow (weather permitting)

Friday, May 1

4:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Festival Open to the Public
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Shrimp Shack Shooters at OWA Amphitheater
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at the Meet & Greet Tent
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (weather permitting)
5:00 PM – 5:35 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: Renee Amelia at OWA Amphitheater
7:00 PM – 7:35 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
7:30 PM: Tethered Rides & Balloon Glow (weather permitting)
7:30 PM – 9:15 PM: The M-80’s at OWA Amphitheater
9:15 PM: Drone Show (weather permitting)

Saturday, May 2

10:00 AM – 10:00 PM: Festival Open to the Public
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at Meet & Greet Tent
11:30 AM – 12:05 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Symone French at OWA Amphitheater
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Hot Air Balloon Pilots at Meet & Greet Tent
3:00 PM – 3:35 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Interactive Hot Air Balloon Display (weather permitting)
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM: JB Dyess Trio at OWA Amphitheater
6:30 PM – 7:05 PM: Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show
7:30 PM: Tethered Rides & Balloon Glow (weather permitting)
7:00 PM – 9:15 PM: The Molly Ringwalds at OWA Amphitheater
9:15 PM: Drone Show (weather permitting)

For more information about the event, visit gulfcoastballoonfestival.com.

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