April 17, 2025

21st Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival Coming in May

FOLEY Ala.
By Dale Hines

Blue RAM Media
April 17, 2025

One of the area’s favorite annual events will be flying high once more at the OWA Parks and Resort.

More than 50 beautiful hot air balloons from across the country will be coming our way to take part in The Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival from May 1^st-3^rd, 2025.

This three-day event features not only breathtaking hot air balloon excitement but also an array of attractions, food, fun and much more!

OWA’s 23-ride amusement park, indoor water park, and outdoor wave pool, as well as a great selection of restaurants and retail shopping, and tons of entertainment, will all be available during this action filled weekend. Guests can enjoy arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, as well as live entertainment at the OWA Amphitheater throughout the festival.

The festivities will all be underway starting on Thursday, May 1st at 4 p.m. with live entertainment by the Undertow Band, followed by the Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee Dog Show. The day culminates with a Balloon Glow at 7:30 p.m. (weather permitting). The festival will open to the public at 3:00 p.m. on Friday with more live music, another show by the Disc-Connected K9 Frisbee dog show, all of the hot air balloon displays as well as tethered balloon rides and balloon glow. And be sure to head over to the Meet and Greet tent to see guests from the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo.

On Saturday, the festival will begin at 10:00 a.m. with another full day of activities including lawn games, live music and displays that promise fun for the entire family! Be sure to stop by the Meet and Greet tent at 2:30 p.m. to meet some of the hot air balloon pilots. And live entertainment keeps the excitement going with the legendary Tip Tops on Saturday night.

While at OWA, take advantage of the fun at Tropic Falls with their Twilight tickets and save during the festival. After 4:00 p.m., get Tropic Falls admission with a Twilight Ticket for just $34.99, May 1-3 only. Learn more at https://visitowa.com/special-offers/.

Festival admission is free. Hot air balloon activities are highly weather-dependent; flight and glow times may be delayed or canceled due to weather.
Hot air balloons fly only at sunrise or within an hour of sunset when winds are calm and predictable.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit visitowa.com/event/gulf-coast-hot-air-balloon-festival or gulfcoastballoonfestival.com.