Strathaven Balloon Festival

Strathaven Balloon Festival The official page of the Strathaven Balloon Festival ® - 28th-30th August 2026. Join us in Strathaven Park to celebrate our 26th anniversary.

Our free to attend family event is one of the largest volunteer led community events in Scotland.

That’s all folks, with rain having started, Strathaven Balloon Festival 2026 comes to a close shortly, with our last few...
30/08/2026

That’s all folks, with rain having started, Strathaven Balloon Festival 2026 comes to a close shortly, with our last few bands playing for us until 7pm. Buses will continue to run to get people back to park and ride.

Thanks for joining us this weekend as we welcomed thousands of visitors to our brilliant town and hosted Scotland’s only hot air balloon festival.

We are a small committee of around 12 who live locally and give up our time freely throughout the year and in the weeks leading up to the event to plan and organise the festival.

We’re overwhelmed by the positive messages of support - from pilots, farmers, local residents and visitors - all the photos and comments you have shared, and will take onboard the feedback received on where we can improve things in the future.

As a free to attend community event and registered charity, we are incredibly grateful for the donations we receive, the stall holders, banner adverts at the arena and sponsors.

Thanks to the pilots and crews who give up their time to visit us, our volunteers who work incredibly hard, our suppliers, to local residents and everyone who visited the festival this weekend.

There’s still time to make a donation and we ask you to donate whatever you can to help fund our free to attend festival - to support the event costs this year and help ensure it can continue in future years.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/strathaven-balloon-festival-2

30/08/2026

Update at 9am on Sunday.

The weather is against us today, and it is very unlikely that there will be any hot air balloons, no tethering, or parachutists in the park. There is also no Evening Glow tonight.

Park and Ride will be open, with the exception of Coldstream Road which is closed due to ground conditions, but is limited due to wet fields, and we are monitoring the forecast for rain.

🎪🍔☕️ 🛍️the rest of the activities are continuing as planned - Stalls, Funfair and Catering outlets all open from 11am

🎵 The Main Stage and Band Stand stages are open from 12’noon with live music and local acts.

🚙 🅿️If you are parking in Strathaven, please support the festival by parking responsibility. If you live locally, please consider walking down to the park.

29/08/2026

Update at 10.30pm on Saturday, there will be no early morning flights tomorrow at 6am due to the forecast rain.

We are monitoring the weather for later in the day, meanwhile the stalls/funfair/catering outlets will be open from 11am.

We’ll be back online tomorrow to keep you updated and will see you in Strathaven Park 😃🎈

Thanks for joining us today, we hope you enjoyed the festival 🎈😃Please patient when leaving the park, and the park and r...
29/08/2026

Thanks for joining us today, we hope you enjoyed the festival 🎈😃

Please patient when leaving the park, and the park and rides; make your way home safely.

We will be back here at 6am with an update on activities for Sunday, to be based on the latest forecasts tomorrow.

Update at 8.45pm in Strathaven Park, the Evening Glow will go ahead tonight at approx 9pm 🎈😃 🔥 with the forecast rain, ...
29/08/2026

Update at 8.45pm in Strathaven Park, the Evening Glow will go ahead tonight at approx 9pm 🎈😃 🔥 with the forecast rain, we will have two retired balloons inflated and flanked by baskets and burners - feel the heat, see the flames and enjoy the music

Update at 6pm, the balloons have taken off whilst the upper winds were favourable this evening to ensure the flight slot...
29/08/2026

Update at 6pm, the balloons have taken off whilst the upper winds were favourable this evening to ensure the flight slot could still take place.

And they’ll be back for the evening glow around 9pm 🎈😃 we are monitoring the forecast and are optimistic for the glow, with an update to follow before then.

PARKING - Coldstream car park is full so has closed for new admissions. Buses will operate as normal for passengers returning to their cars later. Sidehead and Gilmourton car parks are open.

Update at 5pm on Saturday, the balloons are preparing to launch from Strathaven Park in the next 30mins. We have launche...
29/08/2026

Update at 5pm on Saturday, the balloons are preparing to launch from Strathaven Park in the next 30mins.

We have launched a JustGiving page and ask you to donate whatever you can to help fund our free to attend festival - to support the event this year and ensure it can continue in future years: https://www.justgiving.com/page/strathaven-balloon-festival-2

We are aware of traffic issues, in particular it’s very busy at Coldstream Park and Ride, you may wish to use one of the...
29/08/2026

We are aware of traffic issues, in particular it’s very busy at Coldstream Park and Ride, you may wish to use one of the other two parking sites below - Sidehead Park and Ride is also walking distance to the town and has space.

Please support the festival by parking responsibly 🙏

29/08/2026

Looking for some volunteers for park and ride. Any time from 3:30 until close. Come to the headquarters tent and let us know you are available 🎈🎈

Update at 1pm on Saturday in Strathaven Park 😃All stalls, rides and catering outlets are open. The main stage and bandst...
29/08/2026

Update at 1pm on Saturday in Strathaven Park 😃

All stalls, rides and catering outlets are open. The main stage and bandstand stages are open with live music and Gary Faulds has officially opened the festival.

Our parachutists have sadly had to cancel on us today due to a technical issue with the drop plane.

**SOLD OUT** We are pleased to share that Vista Balloon Flights are now offering tethered balloon rides within the arena - to give a unique perspective and see the festival from above - supporting the festival fundraising with a minimum donation per person. For more info and to take your ride, come to the Headquaters tent from 1.30pm onwards for more details. **SOLD OUT**

Meanwhile we are tethering in the arena and hope to see Thomas at 2pm 👀

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