presented by
Join us Friday, noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. for some fun kid activities!
- Cornhole and other games
- Paint the car
- Home Depot kits
- Craft kits to go!
- Scavenger hunt
Can't find the answer on the other pages for this festival? Check here!
Alcohol / Smoking
To comply with OLCC regulations, entrances to the main stage will be checking all bags.
- No weapons.
- No outside alcohol. Attendees can bring in factory-sealed containers of water, juice, soda, etc. Any cup or reusable container has to come in empty.
- Smoking and vaping are only allowed outside the event area.
- Service animals are welcome, but we encourage them to leave pets at home. Animals are not allowed on the balloon launch field at any time.
Hot Air Balloons / Night Glow
- Morning balloon launches start inflating in the soccer fields at the South end of the park at approximately 6:15 am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, weather permitting. Balloons lift off around 6:45 am. Allow sufficient time for traffic and walking to the launch field so you don't miss it!
- Nightglow happens Friday night only at dusk in the field to the East of the main festival. (Weather permitting)
Concerts / Performers / Schedule
A complete schedule of events and performers is available by scanning the QR code on signage that is placed around the venue. You will find these signs at all entrances.
Pets
Please leave your pets at home. They are not allowed on the balloon launch field or within the festival at any time. Service animals are welcome.
Trolley / Shuttles
The trolley picks up and drops off near the footbridge in the parking lot at the main entrance to the festival. It makes a loop between the parking lots and the main entrance. Golf cart shuttles are also available to transport those with mobility issues to and from the parking areas, as available.
Merchandise
If performers sell merchandise, it can be found:
- Friday night performers' merchandise is available at the concert on the side of the stage.
- Saturday night's performers' merchandise is available at the top of the berm on Saturday night during the concert.
Donations
All donations go to support the festival. Sponsorships help to pay the bill, but the festival couldn’t be offered without the community’s direct support through their donations. There is an ATM under the shelter in the food vendor area.
The Friday Night Glow is full of joy and amazement for the entire family: brilliantly-colored balloons tower over the crowd, lighting up the night sky.
Half a dozen balloons participate in one of the Festival’s most popular events, the Night Glow on Friday only at dusk, weather permitting. Balloon pilots and crews set up the colorful fabric envelopes in open area on the east side of Timber-Linn Park, inflate them with hot air while tethered to the ground, and illuminate them in a series of patterns.
Please understand that weather makes a big difference on how the timing of the Night Glow will go. Depending on wind, the balloons might not be able to inflate for very long. We usually luck out and the winds cooperate but it is in mother natures hands.
Seating area opens at 1pm to put blankets and chairs down.
Please note: The night glow happens on Friday night only. (weather permitting)
Join us on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 8pm for an evening with
TBA
Free concert, but donations are highly encouraged.
Amphitheater gates open Saturday at 9 a.m.; concert starts at 8 p.m.
Main Stage Sponsor
General Seating Rules
General Seating Rules
No pets,
except service animals.
No bikes, scooters,
or skateboards permitted.
No smoking
or vaping.
- Amphitheater gates open Saturday at 9 a.m.
- Seating is first come first serve.
- Wristbands are not required for entry.
- This is a park setting, and all seating areas are on grass.
- Chairs (low back preferred) and blankets can be placed once you enter the amphitheater.
- Please do not place items in fire lanes or places that are blocked off. If your items are placed in those areas, Albany Parks and Recreation will move them to the nearest available spot.
- Place your belongings at your own risk. Albany Parks and Recreation is not responsible for items that have been moved or lost.
- If the amphitheater reaches its capacity, as determined by the Fire Marshal, individuals can listen to the concert from other areas in the park.
Donation Spot Seating
Donation Spot Seating
Support the Northwest Art and Air Festival by securing your spot near the front of the concert!
- Call 541-917-7777 to put your name on the lottery drawing list.
- Each spot can hold up to 8 people maximum, depending on state guidelines.
- If you are interested in these spots, the donation will be $250. You will only have to pay the $250 donation if your name is drawn and you want the spot at the time of notification.
- You may enter your name only once per spot.
- We will accept entries for the drawing now until July 27, 2026.
- The drawing will be held on July 29, 2026.
- Winners will be notified and will have 48 hours to pay for their spot, after which we will draw another name.
Please note: We will not know the number of spots available until the day of the drawing due to sponsor and concert requirements.
Food and Drink Rules
Food and Drink Rules
- Coolers and bags may be inspected.
- Attendees can bring in factory-sealed containers of water, juice, soda, etc., no outside alcohol. Please, no glass containers.
- Any cup or reusable container must be empty upon entry.
- Beer, wine, cider, and food will be available for purchase on-site.
- Drinks and food purchased from festival vendors will be allowed inside the amphitheater.
On the balloon field:
No smoking No dogs No drones
Morning Launches
Balloon inflation and setup begin at 6:15 a.m.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, balloons lift off from the fields at the south end of Timber Linn Park, weather permitting.
Sponsored by
Paid and Sponsored Rides
Balloon Rides
Paid Rides
We will not be able to provide paid rides in 2026.
Sponsored Rides
If your business includes balloon rides in your sponsorship package, you will be notified by email. All sponsors must submit passenger information by Aug 7.
Refund Policy
Balloon rides are scheduled based on several factors, and due to limited availability, it is not possible for every rider to have their first choice. If you need to cancel your paid ride, you will receive a full refund if cancelled by noon on the Friday prior to the festival. Riders must contact Albany Parks & Recreation at 541-917-7778 to cancel a ride. Any paid rides cancelled after noon on the Friday prior to the event or any no-shows on your scheduled morning will not receive a refund. If an approved replacement rider is found, a refund will be issued. If a balloon ride is cancelled by event staff, a refund will be issued or the ride rescheduled if possible.
Questions
If you have any further questions about rides or have any trouble signing up on the website, please call 541-917-7778.
What to Expect
A hot air balloon ride is a beautiful, peaceful, and enjoyable experience. Balloon flights take place at sunrise because that is when conditions are the best. At the time of the event, this means around 6:30 a.m. You will arrive and check in up to an hour before that. You will then be assigned to your pilot. Most passengers, if they are able, get a chance to help with the setup and inflation of the balloon. This takes about 30 minutes. It is easy, fun, and amazing to watch up close. The flights will last 45 to 90 minutes, after which the pilot will find a suitable field to land in. The passengers and crew then spend another 30 minutes packing the balloon back up. Then it is back to the launch field, where most pilots offer a post-flight ceremony or toast, especially if it is your first flight. Plan on being finished between 9-10 a.m.
Flight Times
All balloon flights take place at sunrise because that is when conditions are the best. Check-in time for all passengers will be between 5:15 a.m. and 5:45 a.m. each morning. If you do not check in by 6 a.m., you may forfeit your flight.
What to Wear
Safety is a primary concern for all balloon operations; proper attire is important. The general rule is to limit the amount of exposed skin and wear natural fibers (cotton is good, polyester is bad). Wear tennis shoes or hiking boots, not open-toe sandals or flip-flops, as we cannot guarantee the condition of your landing zone. Also, some pilots like to attempt splash 'n dashes in lakes or ponds, so wear shoes you don't mind getting wet. Long pants and long sleeves are recommended, and dress in layers. It will be quite cold at the beginning, but it warms up as the morning goes on. A jacket and/or sweatshirt that can be removed later is a good idea.
Rider Parking
Just north of the launch field is a large gravel parking lot, east of Price Rd. This is where you should park on the morning of your flight.
Rider Restrictions
All riders must be at least 12 years old. Exact weight is a critical factor in the safety and planning of a hot air balloon flight. Please be accurate when filling in your weight on the sign-up form. Your information will be handled discreetly, but it is vital to the scheduling of your flight. Unless special approval is received, weight limits are 300 pounds per person and 600 pounds per group. You must be able to climb in and out of the balloon basket with minimal assistance. You must also be able to stand for the duration of the flight. We do not have any balloons that can accommodate wheelchairs or passengers who need to be seated. Pregnant women will be allowed to ride as long as they are physically able and are less than 28 weeks along.
Ride Groups
When you sign up to ride, you must sign up with any other passengers you wish to ride with. Ride groups can be a maximum of two people (weight limits apply). Ride groups apply to sponsors and paid passengers. Sponsors may add paid passengers to their sponsored ride groups if space is available.
Pilots and Crew
How to help crew a balloon
Many of our pilots come from out of town and can't bring their regular crews. The event must assign these pilots local volunteers to help them set up their balloons each day. An average-sized balloon takes 4-6 people to set up and take down. Crewing for a hot air balloon is fun and exciting, and is a great way to experience the event up close and personal. You may even be offered a balloon ride as a thank you!
Crew Requirements
- Able to follow all pilot directions and adhere to all event rules and guidelines
- Either 18 years of age or older, or 15-17 years of age and signed up with a parent
- Physically able to push, pull, or lift up to 50 pounds
- Must be available for a minimum of two days
- Punctual and available from 5:30–10:00 a.m. on days you are crewing
- Do not sign up as a volunteer if you already have a specific pilot you are working with. Just contact them directly.
- To create a crew account, you will need a valid email address that will serve as your login ID.
- If there are multiple people, such as a family, who share a single email address, create an account under the primary account holder's name, then add the rest of the family members to that account.
- If you volunteered last year, your account is set up already, and your information has been saved, but you will need to let us know if you are able to help again this year.
