53rd Great Forest Park Balloon Race 2025

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race, presented by PNC Bank, returns to Forest Park’s Emerson Central Fields, Sept. 19-20, 2025. This free, two-day St. Louis family tradition, which includes the GLOW on Friday, Sept. 19, and the RACE on Saturday, Sept. 20, brings the community together for a weekend of connection, celebration and unforgettable moments.

The Great Forest Park Balloon Race is one of the longest-running hot air balloon races in the United States and one of the only races that takes place in a large metropolitan city. The tradition began in 1973 with a handful of hot air balloons and a few spectators. Today, the internationally renowned event welcomes more than 50 of the nation’s best hot air balloon pilots and thousands of spectators annually.

Thanks to the generous support of event sponsors, including presenting sponsor PNC Bank, Main Stage sponsor NewGround International (new for 2025) and Blue Moon Brewing Co., this beloved St. Louis tradition is free for all to experience.

”For more than 50 years, the Great Forest Park Balloon Race has brought our community together and contributed to the vibrancy of our region,” said Matt Corcoran, PNC regional president for St. Louis. “All of us at PNC look forward to welcoming attendees to Forest Park and connecting with neighbors and friends at the PNC Bank mobile branch onsite.”

Throughout the weekend, the hot air balloons are surrounded by a festival environment with delicious food, live music and activities for people of all ages. Attendees can enjoy photo opportunities, inflatable games, giveaways, local vendors, Main Stage entertainment, fireworks and much more.

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