The Arizona Balloon Classic by Arizona Events Group will be hosting its 10th annual festival Friday, April 30, 2021 through Sunday, May 2, 2021. Gates are open Friday and Saturday from 6:00 am – 9:00 pm and on Sunday from 6:00 am – 12:00 pm. Admission is free on Sunday for all ages.
This socially distanced and outdoor event will feature shows and activities throughout the day and evening for the whole family. The Arizona Balloon Classic will be held at the Goodyear Ballpark (1933 S Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338). The schedule of activities includes:
The Arizona Balloon Classic
On Saturday, May 1, 2021 and Sunday May 2, 2021 from 6:35 am – 7:35 am, the Arizona dawn sky with brilliant blues, purples, oranges, and reds as the hot-air balloons participate in thrilling “Hare & Hound” races from the grassy fields of the Goodyear Ballpark for a spectacular sight of mass and color. Spectators can walk on the field right next to the balloons and experience the inflation and lift off. Photo taking is invited.
AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union Desert Glow
On Friday, April 30, 2021 and Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm come experience a field full of tethered, illuminated, hot air balloons glowing in time to music.
Saturday night will feature a Pilots Parade with a constant burn of purple, green, red and yellow flames from the balloons! A firework show and the AlaskaUSA Federal Credit Union Desert Glow will follow after the parade.
Family Fun Zone
Activities available on Friday, April 30, 2021 from 6:00 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 6:00 am – 9:00 pm, and Sunday, May 2, 2021 from 6:00 am – 12:00 pm. An assortment of activities including hot air balloon rides and tethered rides, inflatable games, stunt bike shows, fireworks (Saturday only), live entertainment, sampling, and more. Retail shopping and commercial exhibits for purchasing or browsing.
Street Foodfest
Our 4th Annual Street Foodfest is truly a culinary experience! Enjoy a variety of beer and wine in our beer gardens, local food truck and festival food favorites, live music stage, and more! The Street Foodfest takes place Friday, April 30, 2021 from 6:00 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 6:00 am – 9:00 pm, and Sunday, May 2, 2021 from 6:00 am – 12:00 pm.
“Desert Winds” Kite Festival
A new, daytime exhibit has been added, the Desert Wind Kite Festival by My Wind Stuff! Show kites larger than semi-trucks, windsocks larger than motorhomes, and a 50-foot Mega Fish Kite will be flying high in the sky on both Saturday, May 1 and Sunday May 2. There will also be candy canons, paper rocket making and launching, and parachute racing for all ages. Kites for all ages and abilities will be on hand for sale including single line, dual line sport kites & quad line stunt kites. Kite show times will be based on weather conditions.
Admission
Tickets are now on sale for the Arizona Balloon Classic. Purchase online here as some of the more popular event days do sell out.
One day general admission tickets purchased online for Friday, April 30, 2021 and Saturday, May 1, 2021 are $20 for adults and $10 for seniors (ages 55+).
Children 12 & under, active-duty military, and veterans are free. Admission is free for all ages on Sunday, May 2, 2021.
Tickets purchased at the gate are $25 for adults and $15 for seniors on Friday and Saturday.
Group ticket packages are available. General parking is $5.
Community Tie In
Each year, Arizona Balloon Classic donates a portion of beverage and ticket sales to a local non-profit. This year’s community partner is Valley of the Sun United Way. One dollar from each ticket sold at the 2021 Arizona Balloon Classic will be dedicated to United Way Covid Relief and Rebuilding in Maricopa County.
The three-day event in 2020 raised $7,500 for Valley of the Sun United Way, funding 1,072 food bags for Valley students. During the 2020 Arizona Balloon Classic, 1,200 WeekEnd Hunger Pantry Packs for students in need were built on-site with volunteers. Valley of the Sun United Way’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty be ensuring children and youth succeed, ending hunger and homelessness, and increasing the financial stability of families in Maricopa County.
Additional Information
Please note, no pets allowed. All ballooning events are dependent upon weather conditions. No refunds. Rain checks offered to other balloon events due to cancellation.
10th Anniversary Arizona Balloon Classic
Friday, April 30, 2021 through Sunday, May 2, 2021.
Goodyear Ballpark
1933 S Ballpark Way, Goodyear, AZ 85338
Producers and coordinators of sports & entertainment events like the annual Arizona Balloon Classic – Arizona’s Premier Hot Air Balloon Race & Festival, Fiesta & Cactus Bowls and Super Bowls XXX & XLII. In addition, providers of special event products, services and consulting.
To read more about our events, please visit .
United Way is celebrating 95 years of meeting the most pressing needs of Maricopa County. Valley of the Sun United Way unifies diverse partners, donors, business supporters, nonprofits, government and faith-based communities to build a stronger Valley for us all. United Way and its 90,000 donors, 400 business supporters and 5,000 volunteers fight to break the cycle of poverty by ensuring children and youth succeed, ending hunger and homelessness, and increasing the financial stability of families.
