Just outside Washington, D.C., an unusual aviation weekend is about to fill the Virginia sky with hot air balloons and vintage aircraft.
The Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival returns to Bealeton on September 19-20, bringing balloon activity to the same airfield known for its classic barnstorming airshows.
Visitors can watch balloons take to the sky, book rides when available, and stick around for an afternoon airshow featuring the Flying Circus’ vintage aircraft.
Because ballooning and flying are both highly dependent on weather, however, the schedule can change based on conditions.
When and where is the Hot Air Balloon Festival taking place?
The Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival is taking place Saturday, September 19, and Sunday, September 20, at the Flying Circus Aerodrome in Bealeton, Virginia.
The airfield is located at 5114 Ritchie Road, Bealeton, VA 22712, in Fauquier County, roughly 90 minutes from Washington, D.C.
This is a particularly unique weekend because the balloon festival is paired with the Flying Circus’ regular vintage aviation program. I
nstead of simply watching balloons launch and heading home, visitors can make a full day of the experience, with balloon activity in the morning, an airshow in the afternoon, and additional balloon activity possible later in the day when weather conditions cooperate.
The official 2026 schedule lists the gates opening at 7:00 am during the Balloon Rally, with the airshow beginning at 1:30 pm on both Saturday and Sunday — an hour earlier than the Flying Circus’ regular-season airshow.
The balloon launches are expected to take place during morning and evening windows, although the exact timing and whether a launch happens at all will depend on weather conditions. That makes arriving early worthwhile for anyone hoping to see the balloons being prepared and launched.
What to expect if you’re thinking about going
The main attraction is, of course, the hot air balloons.
Visitors can watch the balloons inflate and launch, while tethered balloon rides provide an opportunity to actually climb into a basket and rise above the field without taking a long-distance flight.
Balloon rides are an additional cost and are dependent on the weather and availability of the participating balloon pilots.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the hot air balloon launches will be taking place during two periods, in the early morning (around 7 am) and in the evening (around 6 pm), which means that if you plan to board one of the balloons, you’ll need to schedule accordingly.
The afternoon brings a completely different kind of spectacle.
The Flying Circus’ airshow is scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm, with the aerodrome’s vintage aircraft taking to the sky for its signature barnstorming-style performances. The Flying Circus has been presenting its aviation shows since 1970 and is known for vintage biplanes, aerobatic maneuvers, wing walking and parachuting.
There are also airplane rides available before and after the airshow. These are separate from admission, are first come, first served, and can be affected by weather, aircraft availability and pilot availability.
A few things are worth knowing before arriving:
- Parking is free and first come, first served.
- Airplane & hot air balloon rides are first come, first served, so arriving early can be useful if taking a flight is high on your list.
- Food and drinks are available on location, so you can spend several hours at the aerodrome without having to leave for lunch.
- Bring lawn chairs or blankets if you want to make yourself comfortable while watching the balloons and airshow — there are a few benches on-site but they fill fast.
- Balloon launches and rides are weather dependent, particularly because wind conditions can make flying unsafe.
The combination of balloons, vintage airplanes and a full afternoon airshow makes this more than a typical balloon festival. It is essentially a full day of aviation at one of Virginia’s most distinctive airfields.
How much are tickets?
Admission to the Balloon Rally gets visitors onto the Flying Circus grounds to watch the balloon activity and airshow, but rides cost extra.
Current 2026 event information lists general admission at $20 for adults, $15 for military members with valid military ID, $10 for children ages 5-12, and free for children under 5.
The admission price covers access to the event, meaning you do not have to purchase a balloon flight just to enjoy the festival.
However, anyone who wants to actually ride in a hot air balloon will need to pay the participating balloon pilot separately, these hot air balloon rides are $30 for adults, $15 for children ages 2 – 11, and free for kids under 2.
The tethered balloon rides are an optional add-on, and availability depends on conditions and the balloon operators. The same goes for the Flying Circus’ airplane rides, which are separately priced and sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
In other words, you can attend simply to watch the balloons and airshow without paying for a flight. That makes admission the main cost for visitors who want to experience the festival from the ground.
