Five Years of Rise: Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Fest
There are a handful of weekends every year in The Hat that just feel different. The May long weekend is one. The Stampede weekend is another. And somewhere in the middle of it all – usually right when the prairie is shaking off the last of winter, the sky over Medicine Hat fills with hot air balloons, and the whole city stops to look up.
Rise Up is back for its fifth year, May 21–24, 2026, and we cannot wait.
If you’ve been here for any of the past four festivals, you already know what we’re talking about. If you’re new to the city (welcome!) or you just haven’t made it out yet, this is the year to change that.
It's Bigger Than Balloons
To tell you the short version of the story… well, it’s a love story. About a guy, a balloon, and a community.
After his very first ride in a hot air balloon, local Hatter Willy Taillon was hooked. He went on to become a pilot, and the first time he attended a hot air balloon festival somewhere else, he realized just how uplifting (yes, in every sense of the word) the whole thing felt. He and his wife Cindy decided right then that Medicine Hat needed to feel that too.
They partnered with Our Collective Journey – a local non-profit doing incredible work in mental wellness, recovery coaching, and resiliency – and Rise Up was born. The festival isn’t just a beautiful thing to look at (although it absolutely is). It’s a metaphor for something much bigger. Just as the balloons rise above the ground, Our Collective Journey helps people in our community rise above the challenges life throws at them – through recovery coaching, resiliency programming, and a whole lot of heart.
That’s a layer most balloon festivals don’t have. And it’s a big part of why this event has grown the way it has.
Why This Is So Special
A few things, honestly.
First, it’s free. The festival is family-friendly, intentionally accessible, and designed to bring the whole community together at no cost.
Second, it’s ours. Pilots fly in from all over North America to be part of this, but the heart of the festival is local. Local volunteers, local sponsors, local vendors, local mission. There’s a reason Rise Up’s social channels were viewed by over two million people during the 2025 festival weekend – our little prairie city created something the rest of the country wants in on.
And third – and maybe most importantly – it makes people happy. There’s something undeniably magical about watching a balloon inflate at sunrise, or seeing the burners light up in Kin Coulee.
What's Happening This Year
A heads-up before you plan your days: all flights are weather permitting, and launch locations can shift depending on wind conditions. Launches are typically confirmed only 15–20 minutes before flight time — so bring some patience along with your coffee and make sure you’re checking social media before heading out of the house.
Thursday, May 21
6:00 AM — Morning Flight (*location TBD)
6:00 PM — Evening Flight (*location TBD)
Friday, May 22
6:00 AM — Morning Flight (*location TBD)
6:00 PM — Evening Flight (*location TBD)
8:30 PM — Balloon Glow at Kin Coulee Park
Saturday, May 23 — Community Day(the big one)
6:00 AM - Flight (*location TBD)
9:30 AM - Hues for Humanity Colour Run (5 KM through the trails starting at Medicine Hat Tourism Center)
9-11 AM Free Pancake Breakfast at Medicine Hat College
11-4 PM Rise Up Market, Youth Art Party and Our Collective Journey BBQ at Medicine Hat College
6:00 PM - Flight (*location TBD)
Dusk (approx. 8:30 PM) - Balloon Glow @ Kin Coulee Park
Sunday, May 24
6:00 AM — Final Morning Flight (*location TBD)
Community Day on Saturday is especially worth blocking off. A free pancake breakfast, a local market, activities for kids, and two back-to-back evening events — it's a full day, and it's the kind of day Medicine Hat does really well.
Be A Part Of It!
There are a few easy ways to get involved beyond just showing up (although showing up is the best one):
Sign Up To Volunteer – Registration is now open. They need bodies on the ground to make this thing happen, and volunteers consistently say it’s one of the most rewarding weekends of their year.
Become a Sponsor – If you own a local business, sponsoring Rise Up puts your name in front of an enormous audience while supporting mental wellness in our community. Reach out to sponsors@riseupmh.ca
Donate – Every dollar supports Our Collective Journey’s recovery and resiliency programming year-round. Donate here.