The FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival offers two days of balloon glows, balloon launches and rides, and family-friendly entertainment in Shawnee, Oklahoma every year, the second weekend in August. It was named Oklahoma's Best Event by the Oklahoma Travel Industry Association in 2022! The Outdoor Nation Expo, which runs alongside Balloon Fest, offers family-friendly hunting and fishing demos, products, and more!
Shawnee's Annual Balloon Festival
Fireflight Balloon Fest is going into its fifth year of family-friendly entertainment.
Watch hot-air balloons fill the sky, catch quality live entertainment, and experience some of Oklahoma’s best vendors and food trucks all gathered together the second weekend in August at Raymond Peltier Park, 1702 S. Gordon Cooper Drive.
NEW in 2024: take your FireLake Fireflight Balloon Festival experience to new heights with our official mobile application! Gain access to exclusive content, get first dibs on balloon flights, and customize your schedule and notifications to stay up to date on the latest.
Tethered rides are on a first-come first-serve basis during the festival, and untethered rides must be reserved & paid in advance, which you can do online!
Fireflight Balloon Festival Schedule
Family-friendly activities at Fireflight include inflatables, clowns, carnival rides, a petting zoo, face painting, and plenty more. Kids zone activities will be free, but you’ll need to buy either tickets or wristbands for the carnival. There will also be a fireworks show at the end of the Friday's balloon glow, so you won’t want to miss that!
Friday, August 9th Balloon Fest Schedule
7:00 am - 9:00 am | Morning Balloon Launch (weather permitting) |
9:00 am - 6:00 pm | Balloon field CLOSED until 6pm |
1:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Outdoor Nation Expo at FireLake Arena ($5/person) |
4:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Splash Pad |
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Kids' Zone ($10) |
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Vendor Market and Food Trucks |
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Tethered Ride ticket sales begin ($20) |
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Tethered Rides (weather permitting) ($20) |
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Dustin Pittsley |
8:30 pm - 9:00 pm | Balloon Glow (weather permitting) |
9:00 pm - 9:30 pm | Fireworks (weather permitting) |
Saturday, August 10th Balloon Fest Schedule
6:30 am - 8:00 am | 5k from CPN Cultural Heritage Center |
7:00 am - 9:00 am | Morning Balloon Launch (weather permitting) |
7:00 am - 9:00 am | Tethered Rides (weather permitting) ($20) |
9:00 am - 6:00 pm | Balloon field CLOSED until 6pm |
9:00 am - 9:00 pm | Outdoor Nation Expo at FireLake Arena ($5/person) |
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Splash Pad |
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Vendor Market and Food Trucks |
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Kids' Zone ($10) |
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm | The Risky Business Band |
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Tethered Ride ticket sales begin ($20) |
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Tethered Rides (weather permitting) ($20) |
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | Cam Allen |
8:30 pm - 9:00 pm | Balloon Glow (weather permitting) |
9:00 pm - 10:30 pm | Live Music-Artist announcement coming |
Fireflight 5K
For all of you athletes, there will also be a Fireflight 5K Run/Walk the morning of Saturday, August 13th. The race features professional chip timing, and participants will receive a custom race medal and t-shirt. Whether you’re the speediest around or you want to go along with your kids, the race will let you go at your own pace!
Outdoor Nation Expo
Outdoor Nation Expo is back and enthusiasts of all things outdoors will want to check it out! From hunting to fishing, camping to mountaineering, with vendors for adults and fun activities for kids, there’s plenty to do at ONE. The expo takes place during the Balloon Festival at the FireLake Arena, 18145 Old Rangeline Road.
This outdoor lover's dream expo is located inside of Firelake Arena, an air-conditioned venue across the parking lot from the Balloon Festival Grounds. Friday, Aug 9th from 12 - 9 pm
Saturday, Aug 11th from 9 am - 9 pm
Activities available throughout the expo:
Hunting & Fishing Vendor Expo
Choctaw Archery Shoot (free, 4+)
Bow-fishing Target Shooting
Army Bass Anglers NWTF BB Gun Range Corn Hole
Locke Supply Kids Catfishing
Pitt Stop Extreme Animals Petting Zoo
Fishing Pole Casting Contest
Frequently Asked Questions
Are attendance and parking free?
Attendance AND parking are free! It is recommended to bring cash for the vendor market, tethered balloon rides, food trucks, and other activities. There is only one ATM onsite at the festival.
Should I bring a chair?
We recommend bringing lawn chairs and/or blankets for seating while you enjoy the live music and balloon glows.
Can I bring food or water?
Outside food and drink are not permitted, but there will be plenty for sale.
Where can I stay close to the festival grounds?
Shawnee has nine hotels, two motels, and four RV parks all located within 10 miles of the festival grounds! Find your preferred lodging at VisitShawnee.com/stay and book soon - hotels are filling up.
If you have more questions, check out the Festival website's FAQ here.
What else should I do while I'm in town?
Shop, dine, and play in historic downtown Shawnee - this pre-statehood Main Street area is a pedestrian & cyclist friendly district with unique, locally-owned and operated restaurants and shops just two miles north of the Balloon Festival grounds.
See Oklahoma's only Egyptian mummy at the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art plus more art & artifacts from 8,000 years of human history; admission is FREE throughout August and their current featured gallery is "Ancient Ruins to Skyscrapers: Architecture in Art".
Find the Painted Horses - Nearly 3 dozen beautiful horses stand proud throughout Shawnee, hand-painted by local artists. Each horse shares a unique story and approach to craftsmanship.
Cool off at Shawnee's Twin Lakes Reservoir - located just south of I-40 just minutes from the Balloon Festival, the reservoir is a quiet public lake ideal for serene fishing, kayaking, and swimming!
Balloon Festival Map
Doesn’t all that sound exciting? Be sure to FOLLOW the Balloon Fest on Facebook for the most up to date information!