Each September, the skies above Reno come alive with color during the Great Reno Balloon Race, one of Northern Nevada’s most beloved annual traditions. Held at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, the event brings together up to 100 hot-air balloons, filling the early morning sky with an incredible mix of colors, patterns, and whimsical special shapes. What began in 1982 with just 20 balloons has grown into the world’s largest free hot-air ballooning event, welcoming more than 150,000 spectators each year.
The experience begins well before sunrise with the Super Glow Show, when illuminated balloons glow against the dark morning sky, followed by the famous Dawn Patrol and the spectacular Mass Ascension. Families, photographers, visitors, and longtime locals gather on the grass to watch the balloons lift off as the sun rises over Reno. The 2026 Great Reno Balloon Race takes place September 10–13 and remains free for spectators, continuing a community tradition that has been part of Reno for more than four decades.
