Overview Labor Day Lift Off is Colorado Springs' free hot air balloon festival, three days over Labor Day weekend in Memorial Park, and in 2026 nearly 100 balloons came, launching from beside Prospect Lake in the mornings and glowing after dark on Saturday and Sunday. The 2026 festival was the 50th. It first flew in 1977 as the Colorado Balloon Classic, a race among a few balloonists in Black Forest, moved to Memorial Park as the crowds grew, and took its current name in 2015. Hot Apple Productions produces it with the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation, and Rainbow Ryders was the official balloon ride operator in 2026. On site The park opens at 5:15 in the morning. On the 2026 Saturday a drone show went up at 6, the opening ceremony followed at 6:30, and the balloons lifted at 7 as the beer and mimosa gardens opened; the Air Force Academy's Wings of Blue skydivers jumped at 9, and paddleboarders took to the lake. Afternoon concerts led into the balloon glow at 7 p.m., a second drone show and fireworks at 9:45. New for 2026 was SkyFest Village in the northwest corner of the park, with a Ninja Nation obstacle course, IncrediBubble shows and DJ Max Kruse, plus Scotty's Skyview Lounge, a premium viewing area. Nearly 100 food vendors set up. Audience The day has two peaks, the 7 a.m. launch and the glow, drone show and fireworks after dark, and the park stays open from before sunrise through both. Admission and all the music are free. Pets, personal drones and smoking are not allowed in the park, and the organizers describe the event as family friendly and community focused. Brand presence The presenting partner's name goes on a custom 22-by-25-foot banner on a balloon envelope and on gondola banners, with balloon rides, eight banners around Memorial Park, a 10-by-20 booth and the right to use the festival's name and logo. Below it the levels run Gold, Silver, Bronze, Envelope, Flight and Field and Gondola, and single assets are sold on the drone show, the stage, the concert series, parking, the Pathfinder volunteer program, trading cards, the Sky Deck and the welcome arch. Companies can also fly their own corporate balloons.