Lake Red Rock Balloonfest: Hot Air Balloons, Lake Views, and Summer Magic in Pella, Iowa
There’s something extra special about watching hot air balloons lift off near the water.
At Lake Red Rock Balloonfest, colorful balloons rise above one of Iowa’s most scenic lake areas, creating one of the most beautiful summer events in the state.
Held near Pella, Iowa, this annual event brings together hot air balloon launches, night glows, live music, food vendors, tethered rides, lake views, and a full weekend of family-friendly fun.
For 2026, Lake Red Rock Balloonfest is scheduled for July 10–12 at North Overlook Beach near Lake Red Rock.
What is Lake Red Rock Balloonfest?
Lake Red Rock Balloonfest is an annual hot air balloon festival held in the Lake Red Rock area near Pella.
The event features balloon launches, balloon night glows, tethered rides, live music, food vendors, and a Saturday morning 5K/10K run/walk. The event features as many as 30 hot air balloons flying over the lake, along with night glows, tethered rides, food, and drinks.
What makes this event stand out is the setting. Instead of watching balloons over a city skyline or open fairgrounds, you get balloons, water, beaches, boats, trees, and sunset skies all in one place.
2026 Lake Red Rock Balloonfest details
Event: Lake Red Rock Balloonfest
Dates: July 10–12, 2026
Location: North Overlook Beach
Address: 1007 Hwy T15, Pella, IA 50219
Website: https://lakeredrockballoonfest.com/
The 2026 schedule includes Friday evening activities, Saturday morning and evening balloon events, and a Sunday morning balloon launch. The official schedule notes that balloon events are approximate and subject to weather and wind conditions.
2026 schedule highlights
Friday, July 10
Friday evening is the kickoff for the weekend, with live music, food vendors, the opening balloon launch, tether rides, and a balloon night glow.
Scheduled highlights include:
Live music by Jake Beaty Music from 6 to 10 PM, food and t-shirt vendors, an opening balloon launch around 6:30 PM, tether rides around 6:30 PM, and a balloon night glow around 9 PM.
Saturday, July 11
Saturday is the biggest full day of the festival.
The day begins with a morning balloon launch at 6:30 AM, followed by the 5K/10K FUNdraiser Run/Walk at 8 AM. Food and t-shirt vendors open in the afternoon, live music by SilverTrak is scheduled from 6 to 10 PM, and the evening includes another balloon launch, tether rides, and a night glow.
Sunday, July 12
Sunday morning wraps up the weekend with one more scheduled balloon launch at 6:30 AM.
Morning launches can be a great option if you want cooler temperatures, smaller crowds, and softer light for photos.
The balloon night glow
One of the best parts of Lake Red Rock Balloonfest is the balloon night glow.
During the glow, the balloons stay on the ground while the burners light them from inside. The result is a field full of giant glowing balloons, with the sunset and lake nearby.
It’s one of those scenes that feels made for photos.
Why this event is worth the drive
Lake Red Rock Balloonfest has the perfect mix of summer ingredients: colorful balloons, lake views, live music, food, families, boats on the water, and a relaxed Iowa summer atmosphere.
It’s also a great event for people who like to take their time. You can arrive early, walk around, watch crews inflate the balloons, grab something to eat, and settle in for the evening launch or night glow.
And because it’s near Pella, you can easily turn this into a larger road trip with bakeries, downtown shops, the lake, the Volksweg Trail, and other nearby Marion County stops.
What to bring
This is an outdoor lake-area event, so plan for a casual summer evening.
Bring lawn chairs or a blanket, water, sunscreen, bug spray, comfortable shoes, and a camera or phone with plenty of storage. Since balloon events are weather dependent, it’s also a good idea to follow the event’s Facebook page or listen to local updates before you go. The official event schedule recommends checking 92.1 KNIA/KRLS Radio or the Lake Red Rock Balloonfest Facebook page for updates.
A few things to know before you go
Hot air balloon events depend heavily on weather, especially wind. That means launches, tether rides, and glows can change, delay, or cancel if conditions are not safe.
The best approach is to treat the full event as the experience, not just the balloon launch. Even when timing shifts, there’s still a lot to enjoy: the lake, the crowds, the live music, the vendors, and the chance to watch the balloon crews prepare.
Final thoughts
Lake Red Rock Balloonfest is one of those Iowa summer events that feels easy to recommend.
It’s colorful, family-friendly, scenic, and just different enough to feel like a real road trip. Whether you go for the balloon launch, the night glow, the lake views, or the photos, this is a July weekend worth putting on your calendar.
For the latest schedule and updates, visit:
https://lakeredrockballoonfest.com/
