Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival 2018: Full Schedule, Events & Highlights
The Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival, one of Greater Palm Springs' most unique events, returned for its fifth year with family-friendly favorites and exciting new activities.
Festival director Cindy Wilkinson shared, "It's good fun for everyone. You don't have to take a balloon ride to enjoy it—there's something for all ages."
Here's everything you need to know about the 2018 Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival.
Festival Overview
What:
The three-day event offers close-up hot air balloon viewing and rides, plus food trucks, games, a car show, photo ops, and live music from artists like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Hollywood U2.
When:
November 16–18, 2018. Balloons inflate around 7:00 AM daily, with events starting at varying times.
Where:
Across Greater Palm Springs: Downtown Cathedral City Civic Center, Big League Dreams Sports Park, and Westin Mission Hills.
Events
The weekend is packed with highlights daily.
Friday, November 16
Breakfast, Balloon Race & Glow
At Big League Dreams Sports Park, watch 5–6 specialty-shaped balloons inflate pre-sunrise while enjoying breakfast. They then race for prizes. New for 2018: More specialty shapes like bananas, monkeys, honeybees, lovebirds, pirates, and a goldfish named "Sushi."
Swing Dance Party & Balloon Glow
Evening at Westin Mission Hills Driving Range: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy performs as 12 balloons glow. Beverages available; proceeds benefit the American Heart Association. Lessons from swing dancers on-site—wear comfortable shoes!
Saturday, November 17
Morning Balloon Launch
At the 18th fairway, Pete Dye golf course, Westin Mission Hills.
Main Festival
Downtown Cathedral City Civic Center features rides, car shows, vendors, music, and markets. Kids' Zone offers inflatables, crafts like kites, and photo ops with fairytale characters.
Tip: Catch the 11:00 AM "Banana Candy Drop"—10,000 candies from a banana balloon, courtesy of La Michoacana Ice Cream Parlour.
Food Truck Mash-Up
23 vendors, from Afters Ice Cream to Wise Barbecue. Instagram Garden for photos. Bonus: Pose inside a sideways cold-air balloon.
Balloon Glow & Concert
Up to 30 balloons glow at Downtown Cathedral City Civic Center, synced to DJ countdowns. Hollywood U2 performs after. Free admission, parking; handicap accessible.
Sunday, November 18
Morning Balloon Launch
Location TBD, but expect stunning sunrise views of dozens of balloons.
Ticket Info
Free Civic Center entry. Tickets for Food Mash-Up, Swing Party, rides via online. Discounts for groups, residents (ID required), military, first responders; kids under 5 free. VIP/early access available.
Explore more at the Greater Palm Springs events calendar.
