September has a way of pulling people outside, and few Indiana events make the case better than a field full of hot air balloons drifting over the prairie at first light. The Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival is back at Conner Prairie in Fishers, and it packs sunrise flight competitions, a nighttime Balloon Glow, and a full slate of family activities into one long weekend.
- The festival runs Friday, September 11 through Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Conner Prairie in Fishers.
- More than 45 balloons take part. Both evening sessions are sold out, so check morning-ticket options if you do not already hold admission.
- A tethered 1859 Balloon Voyage lifts riders more than 350 feet for a view across the grounds.
What Makes This One of Indiana’s Biggest Balloon Events
Billed as Indiana’s largest balloon festival, Jupiter Flights brings more than 45 colorful hot air balloons to Conner Prairie’s grounds. The setting puts the balloons at the center of a full outdoor program. Live music, food, and hands-on activities round out the schedule, but the balloons are the reason to set an alarm.
The event splits its energy between two very different times of day. Mornings are about the races. Evenings are about the glow. You can catch one or both, and each has its own mood.
Sunrise Sessions and Flight Competitions
Morning activities included with your ticket run Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13 from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Early risers get to watch the flight competitions, where pilots test their skill in the calm morning air. There’s plenty to do on the ground too, including a barrel train ride, yard games and sensory play, the Ag Adventures Playground, carnival rides, and a dry tubing hill.
One thing worth knowing before you go. The 1859 Balloon Voyage is open as an exhibit during the morning competitions, but it will not be flying then. That’s a safety call while the competition balloons are in the air. Families can still visit the exhibit, try the hands-on activity station, and grab some face painting between events.
Evening Flights and the Balloon Glow
The night sessions take place Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12 from 5 to 10 p.m., and they build toward the festival’s signature moment. Around 6 p.m., about half the balloons lift off for a competition-style flight. Then, as dusk settles in, the rest move to the launch field for the Balloon Glow. This is the part where you get to walk among the balloons while their burners light them up from the inside, turning the field into a row of glowing lanterns.
Evenings also bring flight-themed performances in Featherston Barn and on the Symphony Stage, plus the barrel train, the Ag Adventures Playground, and the tubing hill. During the evening events, guests can also take a turn on the 1859 Balloon Voyage, the tethered ride that climbs more than 350 feet for a wide look across the prairie.
Plan Your Trip and Time Your Visit
The morning and evening programs happen on different days, and admission matters as much as timing. Conner Prairie announced on September 4 that both evening sessions were sold out, with limited tickets remaining then for the morning experiences. For travelers starting in Muncie, IN, check the organizer’s current morning-ticket information before making the trip unless you already hold an evening ticket. The two sessions offer different experiences, so confirm exactly which one your admission covers.
Conner Prairie is in Fishers, just northeast of Indianapolis, which makes it an easy day trip for much of central Indiana. Tickets cover the included activities, and the balloons stay grounded if the weather turns, so it’s smart to keep an eye on conditions before you head out. Confirm your admission first, bring a jacket for the cool mornings, and give yourself time to wander. This is the kind of weekend that rewards showing up without rushing.
