Things Are Looking Up! Medicine Hat’s Annual Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival
There’s something undeniably magical about seeing hot air balloons take flight, drifting silently across a vast prairie sky as the sun rises or sets behind them. In Medicine Hat, that magic comes to life every year during the beloved Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival, a celebration that fills our skies with colour and our streets with joy. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, this event is one of the highlights of the year and a true testament to the spirit of the community.
A Sky Painted with Colour
The festival, happening this year from May 22 to May 25, 2025, brings together hot air balloon pilots from across Canada and beyond. For several days, these vibrant balloons launch at sunrise and sunset, filling the skies over Medicine Hat with a breathtaking display of shapes, colours, and movement. Early risers gather in parks, backyards, and open fields with coffee in hand, bundled in sweaters, eyes fixed on the horizon. As the balloons lift off, a collective sense of wonder takes over—and it never gets old, no matter how many years you’ve been watching.
The sound of burners roaring as the balloons rise is unforgettable, and so is the experience of seeing your city from the air if you're lucky enough to snag a ride. Floating peacefully above the South Saskatchewan River, watching the morning light pour over rooftops and coulees, is an experience that stays with you long after you’ve landed.
To stay up to date on the schedule, balloon launches, and special events, visit the official Rise Up website here: linktr.ee/riseupyxh
More Than a Balloon Festival
Rise Up isn’t just about what’s happening above ground. On the ground, the festival is packed with family-friendly activities that bring the community together in celebration.
Food trucks line the streets, offering everything from mini donuts and local BBQ to globally inspired eats. Kids race between face-painting booths, inflatable obstacle courses, and craft stations, while parents browse artisan vendors or sip on locally roasted coffee. There are live music performances throughout the weekend, showcasing local talent and setting the tone for a joyful, upbeat atmosphere.
One of the most magical moments comes at night with the balloon glow events. Pilots inflate their balloons after dark, lighting them up with bursts of flame that make the fabric shine like giant lanterns against the night sky. Families bring blankets and settle in on the grass, mesmerized by the rhythmic glow. It’s one of those Medicine Hat moments that makes you pause and just take it all in.
A Celebration of Community
What makes Rise Up so special isn’t just the balloons—it’s the people. Volunteers work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen, from organizing events to helping pilots coordinate landings. Local businesses get involved with sponsorships, pop-up shops, and special festival-themed promotions. Everyone pitches in, and everyone shows up.
The festival has grown each year, becoming a true destination event for visitors from all over Alberta and Saskatchewan, and even further afield. It brings people together in the most beautiful way: celebrating our skies, our city, and our shared sense of wonder.
Plan Your Visit (or Your Move!)
If you’ve never experienced the Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival, make this the year you do. Bring a lawn chair, a camera, and your sense of adventure. Keep in mind that all balloon launches are weather dependent—so flexibility and patience are part of the experience, too.
And if you find yourself falling in love with Medicine Hat during your visit (it happens more often than you think), I’d be happy to show you what it’s like to live here year-round. As a local real estate professional, I’m always thrilled to welcome newcomers to the area. This city has a lot to offer—beautiful homes, an amazing lifestyle, and community events like Rise Up that make life here truly special.
Ready for Takeoff?
Whether you come for the balloons, the food, the music, or the sense of community, one thing is certain: things are definitely looking up in Medicine Hat. The Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival reminds us to pause, look up, and appreciate the beauty all around us—and maybe even dream a little higher.
Hope to see you out there under the balloons!