The Great Forest Park Balloon Race

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/

We’re proud to celebrate the incredible sponsors whose support helps make the Great Forest Park Balloon Race possible ea...
09/10/2026

We’re proud to celebrate the incredible sponsors whose support helps make the Great Forest Park Balloon Race possible each year. We’re excited to welcome Cedarhurst Senior Living as one of our participating sponsors for 2026! With communities throughout the St. Louis area, Cedarhurst is committed to creating welcoming places where residents feel valued, supported, and connected. A special way that Cedarhurst does this is through the Dream Come TRUE™ program.

51 dreams brought to life in 2026 alone, and hot air balloon rides are the #1 most requested experience. 7 residents will soar through the sky this year, and Karen is one of them. Karen’s dream will take flight at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race next weekend!

Catch the balloons on September 18 + 19, and see what it means to feel valued and supported at Cedarhurst. Learn more about Cedarhurst: cedarhurstliving.com

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors like Cedarhurst, the Great Forest Park Balloon Race continues to be FREE for all to enjoy. 🎈⛅️🎉

09/09/2026

Dancing, music, delicious food, firing up hot air balloons, watching the sky fill with color, blankets spread out across the lawn, laughter carrying across the field, and even a surprise engagement?! 💍

We are so honored to get to share in all of these moments with YOU at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race. In just 10 DAYS, we get to do it all again — the best weekend of the year. See you there September 18 + 19, St. Louis! 🎉🎈⛅

🎥: C-Dot

Insert your family here! 💛🎈✨📸 Big thanks to one of our contributing sponsors, St. Louis Children's Hospital / BJC Health...
09/08/2026

Insert your family here! 💛🎈✨📸

Big thanks to one of our contributing sponsors, St. Louis Children's Hospital / BJC HealthCare, for helping make unforgettable memories like these possible for everyone at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race! Be sure to stop by the BJC Healthcare Photo Deck to snap a photo with the best view of The GLOW on Friday, September 18. We’ll see you and your people there!

09/04/2026

We’re dancing into the holiday weekend because we can’t believe that the Great Forest Park Balloon Race is just TWO WEEKS AWAY. See you September 18 + 19 in Forest Park!

P.S. Who knew that hot air balloons could dance?! 🎈🎶

09/04/2026

🎈The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is coming up later this month! 🎈 Learn more about the highly anticipated annual festival, as well as 12 other events we're psyched for this month in our September Stuff to Do roundup. ⬇

We have the answers to your most-asked questions about the Great Forest Park Balloon Race this year! ❓ Help us spread th...
09/04/2026

We have the answers to your most-asked questions about the Great Forest Park Balloon Race this year! ❓

Help us spread the word by reposting this FAQ and visit greatforestparkballoonrace.com for more. We’ll see you in Forest Park on September 18 + 19!

09/03/2026

Wonderful time this morning with our friends at KMOV News 4 St. Louis on Great Day St. Louis! Thanks to Stifel CEO Ron Kruszewski for joining to talk about the company’s new presenting sponsorship of Great Forest Park Balloon Race. Stifel has been a St. Louis staple for generations, and we’re honored to have them help us bring this free family tradition to our city for the 54th year! We’ll see you in just a couple weeks — September 18 + 19 in Forest Park. 🎈⛅️🎉

Look at these smiling faces! We had a blast this weekend with our friends at Nine PBS for Be My Neighbor Day: Let’s Buil...
08/31/2026

Look at these smiling faces! We had a blast this weekend with our friends at Nine PBS for Be My Neighbor Day: Let’s Build! 💛😊🎈⛅

From firing up our hot air balloon basket to teaching little ones all about hot air balloons with our sticker sheets, it was such a joy to spend the day with so many families.

We’re grateful to have been part of this special community celebration alongside so many incredible St. Louis businesses and organizations — all coming together to create connection, inspire curiosity, and build our community.

We can’t wait to keep igniting joy with you on September 18 + 19 in Forest Park for the Great Forest Park Balloon Race!

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is only made possible by the incredible support of our many sponsors. We’re excited t...
08/28/2026

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is only made possible by the incredible support of our many sponsors. We’re excited to welcome one of our new participating sponsors for 2026, Midwest Dairy! Originally founded by farmers in Missouri and neighboring states in 1971, Midwest Dairy works collaboratively to connect communities across the region with local dairy farmers and the nutritious foods that they provide — a people-minded mission that we admire.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors like you, this beloved St. Louis tradition continues to be FREE for all to enjoy. 🎈⛅🎉

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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Address

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

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