Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival

Indiana’s largest balloon festival is floating back into Fishers. The Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival returns to Conner Prairie September 11–13, 2026, with a weekend of hot air balloons, balloon competitions, evening glows, food, drinks and family activities. The festival is one of those Central Indiana events that sounds fun on paper, then makes a lot more sense once you are standing under a glowing hot air balloon with kids running through the grass and everyone staying up later than planned. We have attended Jupiter Flights the past two years with a large group of cousins, kids ranging in age from 3 months to 8 years old and grandparents along for the night. It has become one of our favorite early fall traditions. Ticket information: Member presale begins July 28. Indiana Access Pass holders and the general public can purchase tickets beginning July 30. Festival Evenings run from 5–10 p.m. and cost $18 for members or $30 for nonmembers. The Festival Evenings VIP Experience costs $50 for members or $65 for nonmembers. Morning Events run from 7–9:30 a.m. and cost $10 for members or $20 for nonmembers. Morning Event tickets also include regular daily admission to Conner Prairie. Why Jupiter Flights Works for a Big Family Group One of the best things about Jupiter Flights is that it works for a wide range of ages without everyone needing to do the same thing at the same time. In our group, the 3-month-old mostly slept, the older kids bounced between the Kids Zone, bounce houses, playground and giant hill, and the grandparents were perfectly happy hanging around the picnic area until it was time for the show. That kind of setup matters when you are trying to plan something with multiple families. Nobody was stuck entertaining kids in a long line all evening. The kids had space to move, the adults had a place to sit and the night felt flexible enough that everyone could enjoy it in their own way. Related Article: Indiana Hot Air Balloon Festivals to Look Forward to this Year Our favorite home base has been the big hill overlooking the sunflower field. It gives kids room to move, gives adults a place to sit and puts everyone close enough to the action without feeling packed in right away. The hill also became the unofficial headquarters for the older kids, who pretty much never left what they called the “sledding hill.” What Kids Can Do Before the Balloons Glow The balloon glow happens later in the evening, so the pre-glow time matters, especially with younger kids. In past years, our kids have spent that window bouncing between the Kids Zone, bounce houses, playground and open play areas. The playground was packed, but in a good way, with plenty of kids running, climbing and burning off energy before the evening slowed down. Conner Prairie lists food and drinks as part of the festival, with options ranging from pizza and doughnuts to pulled pork and burgers. Our group brought picnic-style food and also visited the food trucks, which ended up being part of the fun. Everyone, kids and grandparents included, found something they wanted. The Balloon Glow Is the Main Event Once the sun starts to drop, the energy shifts toward the balloon field. The first time we attended, everything went off without an issue, and the full balloon glow was one of those moments that made all the packing, parking and late bedtime feel worth it. Standing near the balloons once they are fully inflated is the part that photos do not really capture. The balloons are huge, colorful and close enough that kids can understand the scale in a way they cannot from a picture. In past years, guests were able to walk near the balloons during the glow, meet pilots and see the burners light up the fabric from below. Our second year was a good reminder that hot air balloon events depend heavily on weather. There was stronger wind, and the balloon glow was delayed a few times. The mood still stayed surprisingly good. Since the balloons could not fully inflate right away, many of the baskets kept lighting their flames, creating a beautiful glow across the field even before the full balloon glow could happen. As it got later, about half of our group decided it was time to get kids to bed. We stayed, and eventually about half the balloons were able to inflate and light up the sky. Even without the full version of the event, we still thought the night was worth the effort. There were enough other things to do, enough space to hang out and enough atmosphere that it still felt like a special evening. A Parent Safety Tip for After Dark This event is family-friendly and well organized, but it can get crowded once it gets dark. The sunflower field, playground and balloon area are especially easy places to lose sight of a child for a few seconds, which is more than enough time to raise your blood pressure. One year, a vendor kindly let us borrow a pen so we could write a parent’s phone number on the kids’ arms. Thankfully, we did not need it, but it was a simple step that made the rest of the evening feel a little calmer. A designated meeting spot, glow bracelets or a quick photo of each child before heading into the crowd can also help. First-Timer Tips for Jupiter Flights Bring chairs or a blanket. There is plenty of open space, and Conner Prairie says guests may bring their own chairs and blankets. Families can bring a picnic, buy dinner from food vendors or do both. Pick a home base. For a group with kids and grandparents, having one picnic spot made the night much easier. The kids could run back and forth to nearby activities, while the adults had a place to regroup. Arrive near the beginning of your ticketed session. Festival Evenings run from 5–10 p.m., while Morning Events run from 7–9:30 a.m. Arriving on the early side gives families more time to park, claim a picnic spot and explore before the main balloon activities begin. Choose the ticket that fits your family. The evening festival is the better choice for families focused on the full festival atmosphere and balloon glow. The lower-priced Morning Event ticket includes the morning balloon activities and regular daily admission, which can make it easier to turn the visit into a full Conner Prairie day. Dress for grass, walking and weather. Jupiter Flights is an outdoor event spread across Conner Prairie’s grounds. Comfortable shoes matter, and layers are smart for a September evening. Know that balloons depend on weather. Hot air balloons are sensitive to wind, rain, storms and changing conditions. Conner Prairie says balloon activities may be delayed, changed or canceled if weather affects safety. If a launch cannot happen, the glow may still take place if conditions are safe. If even that is not possible, Conner Prairie may shift to a “Twinkle,” with baskets and burners creating an up-close ground experience. Keep bedtime expectations loose. Some families may decide to leave before the final glow, especially with toddlers or early bedtimes. Others may want to wait it out. The nice thing about this event is that there is enough going on before the balloons that the evening can still feel worthwhile, even if the weather changes the balloon schedule. Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival 2026 Event Details Location: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN 46038 Dates: September 11–13, 2026 Member presale: July 28 Indiana Access Pass and general admission ticket sales: July 30 Festival Evenings: 5–10 p.m. Festival Evening tickets: $18 for members, $30 for nonmembers Festival Evenings VIP Experience: $50 for members, $65 for nonmembers Morning Events: 7–9:30 a.m. Morning Event tickets: $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers. Tickets include the morning event and regular daily admission to Conner Prairie. Official website: Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival at Conner Prairie Festival Evenings and Balloon Glows Festival Evenings run from 5–10 p.m. and are the best fit for families who want the full festival atmosphere, with food, music, activities and balloons lighting up after dark. General evening tickets cost $18 for members or $30 for nonmembers. A separate VIP Experience costs $50 for members or $65 for nonmembers. Morning Balloon Events and Competitions Morning Events run from 7–9:30 a.m. and give families a chance to see the competition side of Jupiter Flights before the regular Conner Prairie day begins. Tickets cost $10 for members or $20 for nonmembers and include both the morning event and regular daily admission. Because launches and competitions depend on wind and weather conditions, families should check the official festival schedule and any same-day updates before heading out. We are already planning to attend again this year. We hope the weather cooperates for the full glow, of course, but after seeing how much fun our group had even with wind delays, this is one of those events we would still put on the calendar either way.

Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival

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