Get set for an event like no other at Great Galena Balloon Race 2022, with over 20 hot air balloons, live music, a classic car show, art show, balloon glow, balloon rides, food, drink, and more! June 17th to the 19th, 2022 in Galena, IL.

If you’ve never attended a hot air balloon festival, you’re in for a real treat. The Great Galena Balloon Race is held every year, the 3rd weekend in June, and always includes a host of fantastic, family-friendly events.

The big attraction, of course, are all the hot air balloons. There is just something magical and uniquely entrancing about hot air balloons, especially when gathered together at an event like this. That something so large can float through the air is fascinating to watch. The fact that they do so so quietly is almost a shock in our tech-driven, big motor world.

The entrancing effect is even more pronounced at night. Lit from within by their burners, these big, beautiful teardrops fill the night sky with their colorful glow. A truly stunning site to behold!

The 3-day Great Galena Balloon Race provides a variety of ways to enjoy hot air balloons, too. Regular flights, night glow flights, balloon rides, and of course the early morning races, themselves.

The races are held Saturday and Sunday, as early as 5am though, as with the rest of the balloon events, these times are weather dependent. Seeing these balloons launch with the sunrise rivals the evening balloon glow events for beauty.

More Than Just Hot Air

Balloon Race Weekend presents a variety of activities and events to attend, alongside the hot air balloons. Quite literally, in fact. The race and all related events take place at Eagle Ridge Resort, located at 444 Eagle Ridge Drive, just over ten minutes from Hawk Valley Retreat.

This year’s special events include a Classic Car Show on Saturday night. Come view the fantastic collection of beautifully kept and restored classic cars. The event is hosted by three of the region’s car clubs and is always a good time.

Saturday also sees the Great Galena Art Sale, from 5pm to 9pm in the big tent. This sale features a variety of artworks from some of the area’s very best regional artists. Come to look, shop, meet and chat with the artists, or all three!

The Great Galena Balloon Race also includes live music on both Friday and Saturday nights, starting at 5:30 pm. This year’s bands are Joie Wails with the Ty Bailey Band (Friday) and The Wundo Band (Saturday).

Great Galena Balloon Race 2022 Schedule

Friday, June 17
5pm – Gates open
5pm-9pm – Inflatables for the kids
5:30pm – Live music: Joie Wails with the Ty Bailey Band
6:00pm – Hot Air Balloons Fly
8:30pm – Hot Air Balloon Nightglow
10pm – Gates Close

Saturday, June 18
5am – Crack of Dawn Balloon Race
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5pm – Gates open
5pm-9pm – Great Galena Art Sale, Inflatables for the kids
5:30pm – Live music: The Wundo Band
6pm – Classic Car Show
6pm – Hot Air Balloons Fly
8:30pm – Hot Air Balloon Nightglow
10pm – Gates Close

Sunday, June 19
5am – Crack of Dawn Balloon Race

Spend the evening (or the wee hours of the morning) taking in the sight of those beautiful hot air balloons, then it’s just minutes back to the peace and comfort of your room at Hawk Valley Retreat. Wonderful.

Admission to the Great Galena Balloon Race is $5, cash only, with the proceeds going towards supporting children with diabetes. Visit the event website for tickets and more information. You can also find the Balloon Race on Facebook.