Washington's winter hot air balloon festival, also known as the Winthrop Balloon Roundup, brings 15 to 25 balloons, sunrise launches, passenger rides, and the Saturday night balloon glow to the Methow Valley.
Last updated: March 2026
Quick Facts
About the Festival
The Winthrop Balloon Festival, originally known as the Winthrop Balloon Roundup, fills the Methow Valley each winter with colorful morning launches and the famous downtown balloon glow. Every March for more than 30 years, Winthrop has welcomed balloon pilots and visitors from across the Pacific Northwest for one of the region’s most distinctive winter weekends.
What began as a gathering of a handful of pilots has grown into Washington State’s only winter hot air balloon festival, drawing 15–25 colorful balloons that launch each morning over the snow-covered Methow Valley. The sight of dozens of enormous balloons rising into the crisp winter sky against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks is something that stays with you long after you’ve driven home. This is an official guide put out by some of the pilots who attend the event each year as commercial operators.
The Winthrop Balloon Festival is a pilot gathering rather than a centrally operated commercial festival. Balloon pilots from around the Pacific Northwest independently decide to attend, bring their own equipment, and cover the cost of getting to Winthrop. Local organizations help support the weekend, welcome visitors to town, and keep Winthrop full of guests, restaurants, and hotel stays. One of the pilots that attends selects to be the liaison between the attending pilots and local organizers.
The way the pilots come to Winthrop is a little like the way Monarch butterflies return to the same forests each year, not because anyone tells them to, but because something pulls them back. Each pilot makes their own independent decision to come, loads up their balloon, makes the drive to the Methow Valley, and lets the liaison to the Winthrop Chamber know they are planning on attending. There is no audition, no contract, and no participation fee. They simply show up.
To support the balloons coming to Winthrop for The Winthrop Balloon Festival, originally known as the Winthrop Balloon Roundup, the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce provides propane for the flights and contributes toward the cost of the drive to the Methow Valley. They also help coordinate closing the main street in downtown Winthrop for the Saturday night hot air balloon glow and assist in securing a few additional launch locations around town. The balloon pilots themselves volunteer their time and balloons to participate in the glow, inflating the balloons along the street so visitors can walk among them as they light up the evening sky. The result is a festival built on goodwill: pilots who love to fly, a town that loves to host them, and visitors who come from across Washington to watch the balloons rise into the winter sky for free.
Best of all, watching is completely free. Anyone can come to the launch field, watch the balloons inflate, and see them lift off into the winter sky at no charge.
2027 Winthrop Balloon Festival
If you're planning a trip to see The Winthrop Balloon Festival, here's what to expect during the full festival weekend.
Three mornings of balloon launches and one unforgettable Saturday evening. All launch times are approximate and weather-dependent.
Day 1, Friday
Day 2, Saturday
Day 3, Sunday
Visitor Guide
Whether it's your first time or your tenth, here's everything you need to make the most of your visit.
The launch field behind the Winthrop Inn is where all the action happens. Arrive early and get as close to the field as you can, watching balloons inflate from just a few feet away is an experience in itself. For an elevated view of all the balloons in the air, the ridge along Highway 20 offers a sweeping panorama of the valley.
Balloon inflation begins around 6:30–7:00 am. Arriving before inflation starts means you'll see the entire process, from flat envelope on the ground to fully inflated nine-story balloon ready for flight. Don't just show up for the launch itself; the inflation is half the spectacle.
The soft winter light at sunrise makes for extraordinary photos. Wide-angle lenses capture the scale of multiple balloons inflating side by side. Telephoto lenses are great once they're in the air against the mountains. The Saturday evening Balloon Glow is a dream for long-exposure night photography.
Early March in Winthrop is cold, typically in the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit at launch time. Layer up with thermal underlayers, a warm jacket, gloves, and a hat. Good waterproof boots are wise if there's snow on the ground. The burner on a balloon radiates surprising warmth if you're standing nearby.
The best parking for the morning launches is at the Methow Valley Thriftway, directly across the street from the Winthrop Inn launch field. For the Saturday Balloon Glow in downtown Winthrop, arrive by 4:30 pm, parking fills up quickly as the glow draws large crowds.
The festival is extremely family-friendly. Children love watching the enormous balloons inflate and the loud roar of the burners. The Saturday Balloon Glow in particular is magical for kids, the glowing fabric, the warmth of the flames, and the festive downtown atmosphere make for a memorable evening.
Saturday Evening
If the morning launches are the spectacle of the festival, the Saturday evening Balloon Glow is its soul. As daylight fades over the Methow Valley, three to five enormous hot air balloons inflate along the streets of historic downtown Winthrop.
Each time a pilot fires their burner, the balloon's colorful fabric lights up from within, casting a warm, shifting glow across the snow-covered boardwalks and the faces of the crowd gathered around them. It's one of those experiences that photographs can't fully capture.
Admission is free. Arrive early, parking goes quickly.
Learn More About the Balloon Glow →Largest Official Balloon Ride Operator
Seattle Ballooning has been the largest hot air balloon ride operator at The Winthrop Balloon Festival for the last 8 years. In a typical year they bring 5 balloons of their own to the event and also fill 3 to 4 additional balloon pilots with passengers, making them the hub of the passenger flying operation at the festival.
On any given morning, Seattle Ballooning is responsible for getting the majority of passengers in the air. Their team handles everything from the pilot briefing at sunrise to the post-flight champagne toast after landing near the Winthrop Airport.
Seattle Ballooning is not attending the 2027 festival. They expect to return in 2028.
Want to Fly?
Watching the balloons launch from the ground is unforgettable. Flying in one is something else entirely. For the last 8 years Seattle Ballooning has been the largest ride operator at The Winthrop Balloon Festival, taking passengers aloft over the Methow Valley each morning, climbing up to 4,000 feet above the snow-covered landscape.
Flights last approximately one hour. Balloons launch from the Winthrop Inn and follow the valley drainage winds south, typically landing near the Winthrop Airport about 6 miles away. Along the way you might fly at treetop level over the river, spot wildlife below, and see the entire festival from above.
In a typical year Seattle Ballooning brings 5 to 6 commercial balloons to the festival and carries up to 40 passengers per day across their fleet, with private flights for two also available.
Seattle Ballooning is not flying passengers at the 2027 festival. They expect to return in 2028, and you can join the 2028 waitlist now. Shared rides have historically sold out 6 to 9 months ahead, so the waitlist is the way to get in early.
Winter Activities
Even on days when the balloons are grounded by weather, Winthrop and the Methow Valley offer some of the best winter recreation in Washington State.
The Methow Valley Sport Trails system is one of the largest groomed cross-country ski networks in North America, with over 200 kilometers of trails winding through open meadows and forests. All skill levels are welcome, and rentals are available in Winthrop and Mazama.
Miles of snowshoe trails wind through the Okanogan National Forest surrounding Winthrop. The valley offers easy terrain for beginners and more challenging backcountry routes for experienced adventurers. Rentals are available locally.
Winthrop has an outdoor ice skating rink in the town center that is typically open during the festival weekend. It's a charming, quintessentially small-town winter experience right in the heart of the old western downtown.
Winthrop's historic old-west boardwalk is lined with boutique shops, galleries, and great restaurants. The town is small enough to explore entirely on foot and lively enough to keep you busy for a full afternoon. Pick up locally made gifts, artisan goods, and great food.
Winthrop and nearby Twisp have a surprisingly vibrant food and drink scene for towns their size. Warm up after a cold morning at the balloon launch with a hearty breakfast or coffee. Several local spots offer craft beer, wine, and comfort food that hit differently after a day in the winter air.
The Methow Valley is rich in winter wildlife. Deer, eagles, coyotes, and even the occasional moose are commonly spotted along the river corridor. If you're flying in a balloon, pilots often fly low over the river to spot fish and wildlife from above, a perspective unlike any other.
Where to Stay
The festival weekend fills up fast. Book your accommodations as early as possible, many visitors secure lodging 3–6 months in advance.
Vacation rentals are the most popular option for the festival weekend, offering everything from cozy cabins to full homes that sleep large groups. Search early, the best properties within walking distance of downtown Winthrop go quickly once 2027 dates are announced.
Winthrop has a handful of charming hotels, inns, and lodges right in town, ranging from rustic to boutique. Staying in Winthrop puts you within easy walking distance of the balloon glow and downtown dining.
The nearby town of Twisp, just 9 miles south of Winthrop, has its own selection of charming accommodations and is a great fallback if Winthrop is fully booked. Twisp has its own strong arts community, good dining, and easy access to the festival each morning.
Getting Here
Winthrop is a 4.5-hour drive northeast of Seattle through some of Washington's most spectacular mountain scenery.
What Visitors Are Saying
"One of the coolest experiences ❤️"
"My first time in a hot air balloon and it was so worth it! John was an amazing pilot and we had a wonderful experience! I thought it was a bucket list item but I cant wait to do it again!"
"This was a super fun experience! What a hidden gem. This year I set forth a goal to explore more of Washington and Winthrop Balloon festival did not disappoint! This was a great getaway experience and a way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle. It's a kid friendly and pet friendly experience. If you have kids, make sure they are okay with outdoor experiences. Tons of trails around here that you can hike, bike, or ski on."
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2027 Winthrop Balloon Roundup takes place March 5–7, 2027. Balloon launches happen each morning at approximately 7:00 am from behind the Winthrop Inn on Highway 20.
Yes, watching the morning launches and the Saturday evening Balloon Glow is completely free. No tickets, no registration. Just show up. There is a fee to ride in a balloon.
Balloons cannot fly in rain, high winds, or unsafe conditions. Historically around 2 of the 3 mornings see flights. Even on grounded days Winthrop has world-class skiing, snowshoeing, and a charming downtown to explore.
For morning launches: Methow Valley Thriftway, directly across from the Winthrop Inn launch field. For the Balloon Glow: park in downtown Winthrop and arrive by 4:30 pm, spots go quickly.
Airbnb and VRBO are the most popular options and book out fast. There are also charming hotels and inns in both Winthrop and nearby Twisp. Book as early as possible, the festival weekend fills up months in advance.
About 200 miles northeast, roughly a 4.5-hour drive. The scenic Highway 20 through the North Cascades is typically open in early March; check WSDOT conditions before you leave.
Not with Seattle Ballooning in 2027. They have been the largest ride operator at the festival for the last 8 years but are not attending in 2027, and expect to return in 2028. For 2028, join the waitlist at seattleballooning.com.
Absolutely. The morning launches and Balloon Glow are both extremely family-friendly. Kids love the scale of the balloons up close, the noise of the burners, and the glow event in particular is magical for younger visitors.
Yes. Washington has a few great balloon events throughout the year. The Great Prosser Balloon Rally takes place each August in the Yakima Valley, and the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede is another popular summer event in Eastern Washington. The Winthrop Balloon Festival is the only winter balloon festival in the state.
