Confirmed event details
National Balloon Classic 2026
The official festival runs Friday, July 31 through Saturday, August 8 at Memorial Balloon Field. The opening-night balloon flight is scheduled for 6:30 PM Friday. Morning and evening flights continue through the festival, weather permitting.
- Location
- 1136 150th Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125
- Dates
- July 31–August 8
- Morning sessions
- Flights begin around 6:30 AM CDT
- Evening sessions
- Flights begin around 6:30 PM CDT
Live official NWS planning
Best time to watch the National Balloon Classic
Comparing the scheduled morning and evening flight sessions with the newest official National Weather Service wind, rain and thunderstorm forecast. The organizer says balloons need surface winds below 8–10 mph, and pilots make the final decision after a weather briefing.
This identifies a better weather window during scheduled flight sessions, not a promise that conditions are safe or that balloons will launch. Follow NWS warnings, event announcements, pilots, staff and local emergency instructions.
Balloon-weather preparation
Wind comes first for every flight
Surface wind
The organizer publishes an 8–10 mph maximum surface-wind limit for its balloons. Forecast winds can change, and pilots also assess conditions above the field before deciding.
Rain and thunderstorms
Recheck radar and official alerts before traveling. Thunderstorm chances in a forecast are different from an NWS watch or warning; any official warning takes priority.
Early and late sessions
Morning gates are scheduled from 6–9 AM, while evening gates open at 4 PM. Prepare for changing temperatures and a grass field, and review the event's current entry rules.
Flight decisions come last
Pilots decide after each briefing
The National Balloon Classic says pilots receive a weather briefing about 30 minutes before each flight and that flight announcements follow the briefing. A flight may be delayed or canceled even when an earlier forecast looked favorable. Follow event announcements, pilots and public-safety officials.
Event dates, flight times, wind limits and decision procedures come from the National Balloon Classic. Forecasts and alerts come from the National Weather Service Des Moines. MyUSA.us is independent and 100% ad-free.