The Great Forest Park Balloon Race

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The Great Forest Park Balloon Race FREE annual weekend of family fun featuring 50 hot air balloons. Igniting joy & creating connection across generations. Presented by Stifel. Sept. 18–19, 2026.
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The Great Forest Park Balloon Race, presented by PNC Bank, will return to Emerson Central Fields in Forest Park on Friday (THE GLOW), Sept 15 and Saturday (RACE DAY), Sept. 16. This much-loved annual tradition brings families and friends together for two days of outdoor fun, “wow” moments, new experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. And, thanks to the generosity of our event sponsors, attendance is FREE for all to enjoy! The race, which celebrated it's 50th year in 2022, is widely considered one of the best in the country – it was even inducted into the Library of Congress and honored as a “Local Legacy” in 2000. The event started as a small affair in 1973, featuring just seven balloons and about a dozen spectators on Cricket Field in the northern edge of Forest Park. Since then, it’s grown to new heights - welcoming more than 100,000 spectators over the weekend each year. And, there's so much joy around these balloons - from the grandparent introducing their grandchildren
to an event they've been attending for years, to a group of friends, or a couple on their first date, GFPBR brings smiles, "wow" moments, new experiences and memories that last a lifetime. Visit our website to find out more! http://greatforestparkballoonrace.com/

10/05/2026
Big thanks to our friends at Hyundai Worldwide! From bringing new cars out to Emerson Central Fields to memories at the ...
09/29/2026

Big thanks to our friends at Hyundai Worldwide! From bringing new cars out to Emerson Central Fields to memories at the family picnic area (sponsored by St. Charles Automotive Hyundai + Nissan + Genesis), you helped take this St. Louis tradition to new heights. We’re also grateful to help spread awareness for Hyundai Hope on Wheels, fighting childhood cancer since 1988, by having their hot air balloon a part of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race! 🎈⛅️🚘

📸: Tyler Small, Malena Smith

Special shout out to one of our major contributing sponsors, Blue Moon Brewing Company / Miller Lite for another fun yea...
09/28/2026

Special shout out to one of our major contributing sponsors, Blue Moon Brewing Company / Miller Lite for another fun year of partnership! From ice-cold wheat ales to seasonal favorites, we love having a lineup of Blue Moon drinks available at the concession stands during Great Forest Park Balloon Race weekend. And we’re always excited to see the Blue Moon ‘Good Vibes’ hot air balloon take to the skies! 🍻🎈⛅️

📸: Tyler Small, Malena Smith

09/28/2026
09/28/2026

Thank you, St Louis! The Great Forest Park Balloon Race weekend presented by Stifel was full of joy, connection and unforgettable moments. Keep tagging us in your photos and videos. We’re so proud to be a part of your family’s fall tradition 🎈🫶

The Glow and Race are always free for everyone, thanks to our incredible sponsors: Stifel, PNC, Blue Moon Brewing Company, St. Louis Children's Hospital, Purina, Energizer, Visit Missouri, Hyundai, Anders and so many more!

🎥

We love our neighbors and friends at St. Louis Children's Hospital / BJC HealthCare! Thank you for bringing even more ma...
09/25/2026

We love our neighbors and friends at St. Louis Children's Hospital / BJC HealthCare! Thank you for bringing even more magic to the Great Forest Park Balloon Race by being a contributing sponsor for another wonderful year. We have deep admiration for St. Louis Children’s Hospital / BJC Healthcare’s dedication and care for young patients and their families in our community. ⛅️🎈✨

If you got a chance to snap a photo at the BJC Healthcare Photo Deck this year - tag us in your pics! 📸

📸: STL From Above - Justin Barr, Tyler Small, Antonio T Harris

Did you get a chance to catch the Purina Pro Plan Performance Team last Saturday at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race? ...
09/25/2026

Did you get a chance to catch the Purina Pro Plan Performance Team last Saturday at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race? Or grab a treat at the Purina Chows tent? 🐕🦴🐶🐾

We appreciate our contributing our sponsor, St. Louis-born and bred, Purina for helping us further create unforgettable memories for the entire family. The Purina Pro Plan Performance Team features several rescue dogs, with the goal to prove that with premium nutrition, proper training, and lots of unconditional love, any dog has the ability to be extraordinary. We love their mission and we love the pups! 🐕🐶

📸: Antonio T Harris

Thank you to one of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race major sponsors, pncbank! We loved seeing young friends get to exp...
09/24/2026

Thank you to one of the Great Forest Park Balloon Race major sponsors, pncbank! We loved seeing young friends get to expand their horizons and enjoy the Mobile Learning Adventure all weekend at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race this year. Because of their generous contribution, we were also able to close The Glow with another stunning PNC Bank Firework Finale. We are continually appreciative to sponsors like PNC, who make our St. Louis family tradition truly special! ⛅️🎈🎇

📸: STL From Above, Tyler Small, Antonio Harris

You sure had a lot of race day questions, St Louis! So we’re doing a look back (with photos and videos) to answer some o...
09/23/2026

You sure had a lot of race day questions, St Louis! So we’re doing a look back (with photos and videos) to answer some of your most asked 🎈🫶

More questions about Great Forest Park Balloon Race? Drop them in the comments.

📷 Antonio T Harris STL From Above - Justin Barr Dave Bour Derk Brown Indy Hot Air Leah Mertens Matthew Gurecki

I am one of the oldest and largest free hot air balloon races in the United States.I am where over 100,000 people lookin...
09/30/2025

I am one of the oldest and largest free hot air balloon races in the United States.

I am where over 100,000 people looking to slow down and create lasting memories come annually for the weekend to celebrate.

I am hot air balloons glowing against the night sky on Friday, and soaring along the horizon on Saturday.

I am here for those seeking joy, connection, and an unforgettable experience — together.

I am the St. Louis family tradition since 1973.

I am the Great Forest Park Balloon Race.

I am St. Louis.

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Emerson Central Fields, Forest Park
St. Louis, MO
63112

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