Skip to ContentThe Great Reno Balloon Race is a four-day hot-air ballooning event in early September. Its organizer calls it the world’s largest free hot-air ballooning event. The organizer’s site lists the next race for September 9-12, 2027.
The Great Reno Balloon Race at a Glance
- Dates: September 9-12, 2027 (Thursday to Sunday), per renoballoon.com, read November 2, 2026.
- Cost: free, as the organizer describes it.
- Where: the organizer’s page does not name a venue. Wikipedia says the race is held at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno (secondary source, not confirmed by the organizer).
- Not on the page we read: daily schedule, dawn patrol and parking details. Check the organizer before you go.
Not confirmed: The organizer page gives dates but no venue, daily schedule or admission details. The 2026 edition was not confirmed from the organizer’s page, so it is not listed here.
History
- The organizer says the race began in 1982 with 20 balloons and has grown to up to 100 balloons each year.
- Wikipedia says the race runs the first weekend after Labor Day, draws more than 100 balloons and an average crowd of about 140,000. The organizer says “up to 100”, so the two sources differ, and the crowd figure is not on the organizer’s page.
Common Questions
When Is the Great Reno Balloon Race in 2027?
The organizer lists September 9-12, 2027.
Does It Cost Anything to Watch?
The organizer describes it as a free event. Check its page for any paid extras.
Sources and Checks
Organizer page read November 2, 2026. Wikipedia (Great Reno Balloon Race) is a secondary source and is marked where used. Spot a wrong figure? Send a correction. See all dates on the events calendar.
Cite this page: It's Reno, “Great Reno Balloon Race Guide”, itsreno.com/great-reno-balloon-race/ (updated ). By the It's Reno editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.