Wayland Balloonfest
Name:
Wayland Balloonfest
Date:
September 11, 2026 - September 13, 2026
Website:
http://waylandballoonfest.com
Event Description:
6th Annual Wayland Balloonfest
The skies over Wayland will once again come alive with color as the Sixth Annual Window World of West Michigan Wayland Hot Air Balloonfest returns September 11–13, 2026, at Calkins Field, located at 3755 S. Division, Wayland, Michigan. Hosted in support of 4 One 2 Cares, the festival brings together families and communities for a weekend filled with hot air balloons, live entertainment, food, vendors, races, family activities and opportunities to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention. The festival opens Friday, September 11, at 4 p.m. with a vendor show, food trucks and live performances from Vertical Smile and Kanin Wren. Fifteen hot air balloons are scheduled to take to the skies Friday and Saturday, weather permitting. Saturday, September 12, will offer a full day of activities for all ages, including the Up, Up & Away PJ 5K, Inflatable Costume Race, cornhole tournament, and pilot meet-and-greet. Live music throughout the day will feature School of Rock, Sheer Pandemonium, Vanhornen, and Infinity & Beyond. The weekend continues on Sunday, September 13, with the festival’s Memorial Walk and Car Show, providing an opportunity for the community to come together, remember loved ones and celebrate the people who make the community stronger. Weather permitting, tethered hot air balloon rides will begin at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by the evening balloon launches at approximately 6:30 p.m. The weekend’s signature Balloon Glow will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m. The Wayland Hot Air Balloonfest is a major annual fundraiser for 4 One 2 Cares, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma and supporting suicide prevention initiatives in the community. Proceeds from the festival help 4 One 2 Cares continue its work supporting individuals, families and community programs throughout the year.
The skies over Wayland will once again come alive with color as the Sixth Annual Window World of West Michigan Wayland Hot Air Balloonfest returns September 11–13, 2026, at Calkins Field, located at 3755 S. Division, Wayland, Michigan. Hosted in support of 4 One 2 Cares, the festival brings together families and communities for a weekend filled with hot air balloons, live entertainment, food, vendors, races, family activities and opportunities to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention. The festival opens Friday, September 11, at 4 p.m. with a vendor show, food trucks and live performances from Vertical Smile and Kanin Wren. Fifteen hot air balloons are scheduled to take to the skies Friday and Saturday, weather permitting. Saturday, September 12, will offer a full day of activities for all ages, including the Up, Up & Away PJ 5K, Inflatable Costume Race, cornhole tournament, and pilot meet-and-greet. Live music throughout the day will feature School of Rock, Sheer Pandemonium, Vanhornen, and Infinity & Beyond. The weekend continues on Sunday, September 13, with the festival’s Memorial Walk and Car Show, providing an opportunity for the community to come together, remember loved ones and celebrate the people who make the community stronger. Weather permitting, tethered hot air balloon rides will begin at 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by the evening balloon launches at approximately 6:30 p.m. The weekend’s signature Balloon Glow will begin at approximately 8:30 p.m. The Wayland Hot Air Balloonfest is a major annual fundraiser for 4 One 2 Cares, a local nonprofit dedicated to promoting mental health awareness, reducing stigma and supporting suicide prevention initiatives in the community. Proceeds from the festival help 4 One 2 Cares continue its work supporting individuals, families and community programs throughout the year.
