Up in the sky, over the snow it’s Winthrop Washington’s Hot Air Balloon Roundup.
VIEWING THE BALLOONS: The balloons are scheduled to launch during each of the three mornings of this event, but the weather will determine if the balloons will actually be able to launch. Consider extending your stay to ensure being able to see the balloons. Check back here to learn if the balloons will launch each morning.
March 3-5, 2023
The skies over Winthrop brighten with the brilliant colors of over a dozen hot air balloons. This 3-day Balloon Roundup is a photographer’s dream. An incredible visual display as the balloons fly over the old western town of Winthrop and with the snow-capped mountains of the North Cascades.
While many balloon festivals are held in the summertime, the Winthrop Balloon Roundup allows visitors to experience the Methow Valley’s world-class winter recreational pursuits of Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling and sledding. Winthrop has activities for the whole family as well as large variety of food and lodging options.
Presented by the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce
The Winthrop Chamber of Commerce provides propane for the pilots along with other expenses for this spectacular event to take place. Local memorabilia will be for sale at the launch site – cash or check only.
Make a donation to the Winthrop Chamber of Commerce.
Donate $100 or more to be listed as a sponsor.
Friday, March 3
Hot air balloons will inflate and launch
Arrive around 6:45am behind the Winthrop Inn (located on Hwy 20 at the south end of Winthrop, 960 Highway 20). The balloons begin inflating at 7:00am. The balloons generally stay up in the air until about 9:00am. Spectators are free and are welcome to come to the launch site.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend: Free Eventbrite RSVP
The pilots have requested that there be no pets and no smoking at this event in order to protect their balloons.
Please park at Methow Valley Thriftway. Do not park on the highway or at Ace Hardware.
Saturday, March 4
Balloon inflation and launching
Arrive around 6:45am behind the Winthrop Inn (located on Hwy 20 at the south end of Winthrop, 960 Highway 20). The balloons begin inflating at 7:00am. The balloons generally stay up in the air until about 9:00am. Spectators are free and are welcome to come to the launch site.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend: Free Eventbrite RSVP
The pilots have requested that there be no pets and no smoking at this event.
Please park at Methow Valley Thriftway. Do not park on the highway or at Ace Hardware.
Balloon Night Glow
Light up your night when the balloons inflate along downtown Riverside Ave. The balloons will inflate but not take off causing the fire from the balloons to light up the shops and the faces of the spectators. This is not an event to be missed. This is a free public event. We recommend parking at the Winthrop Barn Auditorium or the Town Trailhead and walking to the event from there. This is a free public event that is not an event to be missed.
Night Glow Schedule:
-The streets close at four pm to clear space for the balloons. No cars may park at the north end of Riverside Avenue after four pm.
-The balloons will arrive around 5:30 to set up.
-The balloons begin to glow at sunset (5:50 pm) for about one hour.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend: Free Eventbrite RSVP
The pilots have requested that there be no pets and no smoking at this event.
Parking at the north end Riverside Avenue will close at 4 pm for the glow to take place in the street.
The Balloon Glow, like the morning launches, is subject to the weather conditions.
Sunday, March 5
The final Roundup
Arrive around 6:45am behind the Winthrop Inn (located on Hwy 20 at the south end of Winthrop, 960 Highway 20). The balloons will begin inflating around 7:00 am. The balloons generally stay up in the air until about 9:00am. Spectators of all ages are free and are welcome to come to the launch site.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend: Free Eventbrite RSVP
The pilots have requested that there be no pets and no smoking at this event.
Please park at Methow Valley Thriftway. Do not park on the highway or at Ace Hardware.
You can find lots of fun things to do while you’re in town:
***All events are weather permitting. Each morning at 6:45am the balloons will make the decision to fly or not based on current weather conditions. These weather conditions cannot be predicted in advance. Winthrop has its own micro-climate being at the base of the Cascades and often the current weather is much better than predicted.
Event is subject to state pandemic guidelines.
No pets allowed at the launch site please***
Book a Flight
Want to ride in a balloon? Contact Snohomish Balloon Ride, Balloon Depot or Seattle Ballooning. If it looks like the event if full, send them an email to be connected with another participating balloon company. Flights tend to begin to fill up in November.
Interested in bringing a balloon to our event? Commercial pilots as well as sport balloonists are welcome. Please contact Snohomish Balloon Ride.
Sponsors of this event include:
BALLOON DEPOT
GLASSWORKS OF WINTHROP
THREE FINGERED JACKS
RIVER’S EDGE RESORT
RIVER RUN INN & CABINS
MORNING GLORY BALLOON TOURS
SNOHOMISH BALLOON RIDE
Winthrop Chamber of Commerce.
