Taking place this weekend, just over an hour’s drive from the District, is the Flying Circus Airshow, featuring hot air balloon rides, acrobatic planes, and more!
The event is one of the most popular of its kind every year, with traffic to attend sometimes backing up all the way from the airfield to the highway.
Where is the Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival?
The balloon festival is taking place at ‘the Flying Circus Aerodrome’ in Bealeton, VA, just off of Route 17, roughly between Warrenton and Fredericksburg.
If you’re driving, you’ll want to leave early to arrive before the line starts to form when the gates open at 6 am.
Parking is somewhat limited, and in previous years, lines of cars waiting to enter the airfield have extended all the way back to the highway.
The balloon flights will be available from roughly 7 to 9 am and from 6 to 8 pm on both Saturday and Sunday; the airshow will take place at 1:30 pm on both days.
How much will a hot air balloon ride cost?
While individual hot air balloon pilots are generally able to set their own prices, according the the event’s FAQ page, you can expect to pay the following fees for a balloon ride:
- Teathered ride (Float to roughly 50 feet in the air)
- $20 adults
- $10 for kids (12 and under)
- Free-flight rides
- $300 per person
A few things to keep in mind:
- A majority of the hot air balloons will be offering rides on a first-come-first-serve basis, which means that the earlier you show up, the better chance you have at getting a ride without having to wait.
- Cash is the preferred payment option.
- Typically, the baskets of each hot air balloon have space for two adults (in addition to the pilot).
- Hot air balloon rides will not be launching throughout the day – there will be one major launch in the morning, around 7 am, and a second launch in the afternoon following the airshow at around 6 pm.
- Hot air balloon rides will depend almost entirely on the weather conditions; if there is significant wind or other suboptimal conditions, the festival has the potential to be canceled spontaneously. If you’re concerned about the weather conditions leading up to the event, you can monitor the event’s site for any updates.
Other things to do besides a hot air balloon ride
While the balloon rides are certainly one of the biggest draws, being that this is the Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival, there are still other fun things and activities you can do to make the trip worth it!
The airshow, which is set to start at 1:30 pm on both Saturday and Sunday, will feature a roster of incredibly old-school planes flying some incredible aerobatic stunts!
The best part? You can even go for a ride-along on some of those stunt planes!
Before or after the airshow, attendees will be able to purchase a ride on a few of the planes with options for a standard flight, or even an aerobatic ride where you can experience all the classic tricks: Spin, Aileron Roll, Barrel Roll, Loop, Snap Roll, Cuban 8, and more!
Single Passenger Open Cockpit Biplane
- $135 standard ride
- $200 aerobatic ride
Two-Passenger Open Cockpit Biplane
- $200 standard ride
Single Passenger Closed Cockpit
- $100 standard ride
In addition to the incredibly unique plane ride experiences, you’re also welcome to bring your own food and drinks into the festival, making for a perfect picnic plan while you enjoy the show!