{"id":4581,"date":"2026-07-15T13:38:16","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T13:38:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=4581"},"modified":"2026-07-15T13:38:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T13:38:16","slug":"up-up-and-away-at-the-2026-sonoma-county-balloon-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=4581","title":{"rendered":"Up, up and away! at the 2026 Sonoma County balloon festival"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Bevies of bulbous, billowing balloons, blowing in the breeze \u2013 it\u2019s time once again for the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon Classic.<\/p>\n

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The weekend festival on July 18th and 19th draws crowds to the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, in Santa Rosa, where scads of huge balloons are just rarin\u2019 to get into the sky. Arrive early, because much of the action happens in the calmer morning hours. On both Saturday and Sunday there are hot-air balloon \u201cGlow Shows\u201d at 5 a.m., for instance, which feature balloons lit up like massive Jack-o\u2019-lanterns. Those are followed by the main launches each day around 6:30 a.m., with approximately 20 balloons soaring high and proud above wine country.<\/p>\n

Adventure-seekers desiring to touch the clouds can take rides on balloons tethered to the ground, lest they blow off across the Pacific Ocean on a long journey to Japan. These rides require an extra $15 and are dependent on wind conditions. With another extra purchase, there\u2019s also the opportunity to enjoy what the organizers call a \u201conce in a lifetime experience \u2014 yoga inside a hot-air balloon envelope.\u201d And for folks who just want to enjoy the spectacle, there will be food trucks, a kids\u2019 \u201cfunzone\u201d and plenty of photo opportunities.<\/p>\n

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Details: Event runs 4 a.m.-10:30 a.m. July 18-19 (with an additional balloon-yoga class on July 17) at 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa; for ticket information and pricing visit schabc.org<\/em><\/p>\n

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