Toronto 
High River’s Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival kicked off Wednesday with the major crowd puller – Night Glow – scheduled for Friday, September 26.
Night Glow is when pilots light the burners of balloons almost in sync around sunset while the balloons are tethered to the ground, creating a delightful sight of hot air balloons glowing like giant light bulbs.
The Balloon Glow night begins at 5:00 pm. with food vendors on-site and a chance to see balloons up close.
Around 7 p.m., pilots start inflating the balloons, and once everything is ready, visitors can move closer to enjoy the burners and glowing balloons against the night sky.
The main glow lasts about an hour, beginning near 7:30 p.m., creating a stunning spectacle of light and colour.
The evening winds down by 9 p.m., closing out a memorable community event.
The Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival‘s Balloon Glow event will be held on the grounds just beyond the Centre Street Bridge.
Centre Street, from the Sobeys intersection to High Country Drive, will be closed to traffic between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m.
If you plan to visit High River for the event, parking is available for $20 per vehicle, cash only.
Visitors can choose Park & Ride shuttles, with south pick-up beside Calgary Co-op on 12 Ave SW and north pick-up at the rodeo grounds off Hwy 543. Shuttles run continuously, though travel time depends on traffic.
You can also park ($20/vehicle) on the east side of High Country Drive across from Tim Horton’s and walk to the festival site.
Limited accessible parking will be available on 1 Avenue NE. Accessible parking for those with provincially issued placards are available onsite for those arriving before 5 p.m. and can be accessed via the south end (Macleod Trail and Centre St).
You can also park in the downtown area’s public parking locations and walk to the festival site.
Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival continues until September 28.
Trip Planning: Balloon Glow Night – Heritage Inn International Balloon Festival
What: This year’s Balloon Night Glow will feature music, food trucks and an opportunity for attendees to see hot air balloons inflate and light up using their burners. Wander under the gentle giants, feeling the heat and hearing the blasts from the flaring burners as the balloons light up against the dark sky.
How Much: Free Admission
When: Friday, September 26 | 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Area northwest of the Highwood River, just past Centre Street Bridge.
Parking:
Park & Ride Shuttles — $20 per vehicle:
— South pick-up: beside Calgary Co-op on 12 Ave SW
— North pick-up: NW entrance to rodeo grounds off 498 Ave / Hwy 543
Park & Walk:
— North-end: across from Tim Horton’s – $20
— Downtown area: street and public parking
— Residential streets
Designated accessible parking at the Balloon Glow site with a Service Alberta parking placard. Vehicle access is ONLY via the south end (Macleod Trail and Centre St)
Limited accessible parking will be available on 1 Avenue NE.
