Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival

One of the best ways to discover the beautiful rolling landscapes of Amish Country is from high above, as you float through the clouds. This September, you can get a bird's-eye view of the picturesque countryside during the Lancaster Hot Balloon Festival.

This is the 11th year for the Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival, which lifts off Sept. 16-18 in Bird-in-Hand. There are two ways to enjoy the annual festival. You can fly up, up and away for an amazing hot air balloon ride, or you can choose to keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and watch as these unique aircraft fill the sky with an explosion of vivid colors.

If you want to go for the ride of a lifetime, you can book at ticket for a morning or evening flight and take off with dozens of balloons that will dot the Lancaster County horizon in unison. During the flight, you’ll experience grand views of farmland, flying over the quintessential Amish Country towns of Intercourse, Bird-in-Hand and Strasburg, before landing back at the festival grounds. If you have an adventurous spirit, this is your chance for an out-of-this-world experience you won't want to miss!

Or, maybe you'd prefer to join the crowd of thousands who come to gaze at the colorful balloons as they take flight. A general admission ticket will get you into the festival to witness the magical moving picture show of hot air balloons sailing silently through the air. As you enjoy the majestic scene of the mass balloon ascension, you can partake in tasty fair food, family-friendly entertainment and music on the main stage. For a special treat on Saturday at 8 p.m., plan to stay for the Balloon Glow. This is when all of the balloons return to the launch field and set up in the dark to "glow."

Can't make it to the hot air balloon festival but still want to head up into the clouds for a balloon adventure? The United States Hot Air Balloon Team can make your dream a reality during your next stay with us at B.F. Hiestand House. Each ballooning adventure runs about three hours, from preparation and launch to flight time and landing. Learn how the team of FAA-approved pilots prepares for liftoff, then soar above the treetops and view the stunning landscapes from a vantage point few get to appreciate.