The skies over Canton are getting ready to glow again, and if you want the best experience, the time to start planning is now.
Each summer, just after sunrise, the fields around the Canton Multipurpose Complex begin to stir. Burners hiss, colors ripple in the morning light, and one by one, hot air balloons rise above the treetops. It is a scene that has defined summer in Canton for more than four decades. This June, the 41st Annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Fest returns June 26–28, 2026, with a full weekend of color, competition and community, and you won’t want to miss it.
What Is the Mississippi Hot Air Balloon Fest?
The Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Fest is one of the state’s longest-running and most beloved summer events, held annually in Canton, Mississippi. What began as a small balloon competition has grown into a free, family-friendly festival drawing visitors from across the region. Weather permitting, hot air balloons will fill the sky above Canton in a kaleidoscope of color and shape. No two flights look the same.
When and Where
The 41st Annual Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Fest takes place Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Canton Multipurpose Complex in Canton, Mississippi. Admission is free.
Pro tip: Morning balloon launches depend on calm winds, so arriving early is key to catching the balloons in the air.
Start the Weekend Early: Friday Night Balloon Glow in Ridgeland
Before the main festival kicks off in Canton, you can get a head start on the balloon magic Friday evening. On June 26, Explore Ridgeland hosts the Celebrate America Balloon Glow on the green space at Northpark Mall. The evening features food vendors, fireworks, a kids’ corner, live music and colorful hot air balloons lining the sunset sky. It’s the perfect warm-up for the weekend — and a great reason to make it a true three-day trip. Visit exploreridgeland.com for details.
What to Expect at the Festival
Saturday, June 27 — The Main Event
Saturday is the heart of the festival at the Canton Multipurpose Complex, packed from sunrise to fireworks:
6:15 a.m. | Competition Flight at the Canton Multipurpose Center Balloon Field. Wake up early for this one — watch pilots compete as balloons lift into the calm morning sky.
7:00 a.m. | Balloon Chase Bike Ride (Registration opens at 6:00 a.m.). Pedal through the morning as you follow the balloons from the ground.
5:00–9:00 p.m. | The main festival grounds open with live music by Lovin’ Ledbetter and The Masters Touch Drumline on the Main Stage.
6:30 p.m. | Balloon Chase Run/Walk & Kids 1/4 Mile Run. The kids’ quarter-mile run goes off immediately before the adult run.
8:00 p.m. | Good Samaritan’s $5,000 Golf Ball Drop Fundraiser & Balloon Glow. As dusk settles, balloons fire their burners to illuminate the night in a breathtaking glow.
9:00 p.m. | Spectacular Fireworks Extravaganza. The perfect close to a perfect day.
Sunday, June 28 — Fun Flight
Cap off the weekend with a 6:15 a.m. Fun Flight at the Canton Multipurpose Center Balloon Field. One final sunrise, one last chance to watch Canton’s sky fill with color before the weekend comes to a close.
Make a Weekend of It
With Friday’s Balloon Glow in Ridgeland and the full festival in Canton on Saturday and Sunday, this is a weekend worth building a trip around. Explore the historic Canton downtown square, dine at local restaurants and soak in the small-town Southern charm that keeps visitors coming back year after year. Book your accommodations early — a free festival of this size draws crowds, and nearby hotels fill up fast.
41 Years of Looking Up Together
For 41 years, the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Balloon Festival has brought together locals and travelers for a weekend built around community, celebration and the simple joy of looking up. Plan now, book your stay and make 2026 the year you finally see Canton from the best possible angle.