The 37th Annual Telluride Balloon Festival - Saturday, June 5th and Sunday, June 6th. It’s an early start!

This festival is always held on the first weekend of June, and it gets started early both days. Around a dozen balloons will launch right around 7 a.m., assuming the weather cooperates. All you need to do is take a quick step outside of your lodging and you should have a great view of the balloons from anywhere in Telluride. Wind is the enemy of a safe hot-air balloon ride, so gusty conditions can keep the festival grounded until the weather clears.

Flight time lasts 30-90 mins after first launch depending on wind speed and how long it takes to get all balloons in the air. Most balloons land in town or just west of town.

Weather matters! Balloons are completely dependent on wind speed and direction for all navigation. Wind blowing too fast or in the wrong direction means we may not fly. Also, winds blow at different speeds and in different directions as you get higher off the ground. Although these higher-altitude winds may not be visible from the ground, our pilots have tools to tell them wind conditions at all relevant altitudes. To fly in Telluride, winds at the park and in town must be under 10 mph and blowing from east to west (straight down valley) on the ground and in the air. We fly ONLY when it is safe.