Top Hot Air Balloon Festivals, Kite Events & Airshows in Louisiana

Louisiana offers azure-blue skies, high-flying adventures and thrilling performances. Whether you're chasing a golden-hour glow or the roar of a supersonic jet, these events offer fun for everyone.

This guide highlights the top hot air balloon festivals, kite festivals and airshows in Louisiana to help you plan your next trip.

Top Hot Air Balloon Festivals in Louisiana

Few sights rival a balloon lift-off at dawn — except, perhaps, a flickering balloon-glow on a warm Louisiana night.

1. Zachary Really Hot Air Balloon Festival (Zachary)

Just north of Baton Rouge, this summer festival is a favorite for its mix of balloon glows, live music and food trucks, and it's one of the most accessible hot air balloon festivals in Louisiana.

Typically held in June or July at BREC’s Zachary Community Park, the Really Hot Air Balloon Festival has a close-up, community feel — families are often able to walk right up to the balloons and interact with pilots. 

2. Red River Balloon Rally (Shreveport)

Typically held in Shreveport in June, the Red River Balloon Rally is one of the largest and most established hot air balloon festivals in Louisiana. It's drawn world-class pilots to the area since the 1970s — and it also serves as the host of the Louisiana State Ballooning Championship. 

This rally features a full festival atmosphere with concerts and vendors, and it also highlights a large-scale balloon glow, where shimmering balloons are synchronized to live music. This event is often considered one of the top things to do in Louisiana in summer, especially for first-time visitors.

3. Balloons Over DeSoto (Mansfield)

At C.E. 'Rusty' Williams Airport in Mansfield, this community-focused, spring festival offers a quieter, more relaxed alternative to larger festivals. Tethered rides let kids have a safe taste of flight — a great peak-summer outing.

4. Washington Parish Balloon Festival (Bogalusa)

Held each year in April, this Bogalusa-based event is one of the longest-running festivals in the state, beloved for its classic festival vibes. Here, professional ballooning blends with nostalgic carnival rides, community parades and live entertainment.

5. Boucherie and Balloon Festival (Sorrento)

Each October, this unique event in Sorrento celebrates the Cajun boucherie — a traditional community butchering festival — alongside stunning balloon displays. It’s one of the only places in the world where you can watch a hot air balloon glow while enjoying authentic cracklins and boudin prepared on-site.

Best Kite Events in Louisiana

If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, Louisiana’s kite events offer a whimsical way to enjoy the outdoors.

1. Kite Fest Louisiane' (Port Allen)

Held along the Mississippi River levee in Port Allen each April, this spring event is one of the most popular kite festivals in Louisiana. See the sky fill with kites of every shape and size, and enjoy kite ballets — or stunt-kite displays by professional flyers from around the world. Children can design their own kites at a workshop, too, ensuring every kid leaves with a piece of the sky.

2. APRD Kite Festival (Buras)

Head to Roger Halphen Park in Buras for a morning of contests, kite decorating, live music and food trucks. The inaugural festival is taking place in spring 2026, making it the newest addition to the list of beloved kite festivals of Louisiana.

3. Kite Fest BR (Baton Rouge)

Typically held in early spring, Kite Fest BR is one of the more accessible things to do in Louisiana with kids. Enjoy flying your newly created kite, fun workshops, kid-friendly games and tasty treats from local food vendors at Baton Rouge's Hartley/Vey Park.

4. Holly Beach Kite Weekend (Holly Beach)

Visit the coastal community of Holly Beach in Cameron Parish to celebrate all things summer. Typically held in June, the event makes good use of the area's Gulf Coast winds, ideal for flying larger kites. Aside from flying and watching kites, enjoy eating contests, live bands, face painting, splash pads and delicious foods.

Top Airshows in Louisiana

Airshows in Louisiana feature thrilling performances from military demonstration teams and meticulously restored vintage warbirds.

1. Jennings Stearman & Taildragger Fly-In (Jennings)

A must-see for aviation enthusiasts, this October festival celebrates the iconic Stearman biplane. It’s less of a formal show and more of a "living museum" where pilots encourage visitors to walk among the planes and ask questions about the golden age of flight.

2. Rockin’ on the Runway (Sunset)

Located in Sunset, this event, held in either spring or fall, is a high-energy hybrid — part concert, part aerial display. It’s famous for its "Twilight Show," where aircraft equipped with LED lights and pyrotechnics perform stunts in the dark.

3. Thunder Over Louisiana (Lake Charles)

Known for hosting top acts like the U.S. Navy Blue Angels or the Air Force Thunderbirds, this Lake Charles-based show, held each spring, focuses on the sheer power of modern military aviation. The static displays are equally impressive, and families are often allowed to tour the inside of massive C-130 transport planes.

4. Red, White and Blue Airshow (Monroe)

Monroe’s patriotic show features aerobatic stunts and heritage flights featuring P-51 Mustangs. Typically held around Independence Day, the show concludes with a ground-shaking "wall of fire" pyrotechnic display.

5. Hammond Northshore Regional Airshow (Hammond)

Held every two years in fall, this show is the Northshore’s largest outdoor gathering, complete with wing-walking, stealth jets and a large Kidz Zone packed with STEM activities and bounce houses.

When to Visit Louisiana for Hot Air Balloon, Kite & Airshow Festivals

• Spring: Ideal for kite festivals
• Summer: Peak season for hot air balloon festivals, with some Independence Day-themed airshows
• Fall: Best conditions for airshows

Tips for Attending Louisiana Festivals

• Arrive early for balloon launches.
• Check weather conditions — balloons are dependent on clear skies.
• Bring sunscreen, water and comfortable seating.
• Book accommodations early for major events.

FAQs 

What is the best hot air balloon festival in Louisiana?

The Red River Balloon Rally is one of the most popular due to its long history, championship status and large-scale entertainment.

Are Louisiana balloon festivals family-friendly?

Yes! Most include kids’ zones, food vendors and live entertainment.

When do hot air balloons launch?

Hot air balloons typically launch at sunrise or sunset, depending on weather conditions.

Are these festivals free?

Many are free or low-cost, though rides and premium experiences may require tickets.

From kaleidoscopic kites and vibrant balloons to dynamic jets and carnival rides, Louisiana’s high-flying festivals offer plenty of family-fun. Explore more trip ideas and festivals for your crew to enjoy.