By Crystal Harrell
The 10th Annual Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival Presented By Agua Caliente Casinos guarantees a weekend filled with breathtaking sights and family fun from Friday, November 22, to Sunday, November 24. Whether it’s watching colorful hot air balloons take flight against the backdrop of the beautiful desert landscape or enjoying live music and a special 10th anniversary concert by LeAnne Rimes Saturday evening, this one-of-a-kind desert event is not to be missed. Delicious food vendors, an artisan market, and activities for all ages complete this unforgettable experience.
“Cathedral City is thrilled to host the 10th Anniversary of the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival, in partnership with Fantasy Balloon Flights and our generous presenting sponsor, Agua Caliente Casinos. This signature event, which recently earned accolades as a 2023 Champion of Hospitality from Visit Greater Palm Springs, draws visitors from across the globe to our beautiful region. The festival not only boosts our local economy, but it also offers residents and visitors one of the most captivating and memorable experiences in the entire Coachella Valley,” said Ryan Hunt, the Communications & Events Manager for the City of Cathedral City.
The festival weekend begins 6 a.m. 8 a.m. on Friday, November 22, with a Hot Air Balloon Launch & Competition at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, showcasing their signature balloon. The event is free for spectators to watch. The Hot Air Balloons will take flight at 7 a.m. The first evening of the festival will feature the official 10th Anniversary Festival Kick Off from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater with live entertainment by DJ Alf Alpha followed by Abba Fab: The Premier Abba
Experience, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, tethered hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), a free showing of the movie UP, a drone light show and more. Vendors include Birrieria Doña Emma, Cousins Maine Lobster, Dream Lovers Ice Cream, Drizzle Co, E’Kernely Yours Kettle Corn, KK Cravings, Mama Kiki’s Pizza, Missy’s Hotdogs, Moe Hawkins Burgers, Negative 40 Treats, Pinche Lemonade, Salt N Pepper, Snow Pebbles Shaved Ice, The Cake Plug, Twisted Taste Buds, Valley Fusion Sushi, Zash Snacks, and more.
On Saturday, November 23, the festival continues with a Hot Air Balloon Launch and Competition Flight from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa. Free for spectators to watch, the Hot Air Balloons will take flight at 7 a.m. At 2 p.m., the Cathedral City Festival Lawn and Community Amphitheater will open with free entry for Agua Caliente Casinos ACE Club Members and Cathedral City Residents and will feature live entertainment, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, kids’ zone, tethered hot air balloon rides (weather permitting), artisan market and more. For those interested in the opportunity of taking a free Hot Air Balloon ride, Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City will be hosting “UP, UP, & AWAY” Free Play Drawings from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Casino Floor for a chance to win up to $500 Free Play and a private Hot Air Balloon ride for two in the Agua Caliente Casinos balloon.
The Cathedral City Community Amphitheater will open its doors at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 23, for the weekend’s headline performance by LeAnn Rimes taking place at 5 p.m. Cathedral City residents and Agua Caliente Casino ACE Club members are invited to pick up a free ticket to the show at the ACE Club at Agua Caliente Cathedral City. The performance will be followed by a Balloon Glow, starting at 7 p.m., at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City where colorful and fun-shaped hot air balloons will light up the sky and twinkle to music. The Agua Caliente Casinos Hot Air Balloon Glow is free to attend and will also include face painting, balloon twister, outdoor games, giveaways, a live DJ, and a taco cart.
The celebration continues at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City for the Agua Caliente Casinos Balloon Glow After Party which begins at 8:30 p.m. and features a live performance by Dance Dance Evolution on the Agave Caliente Terraza as well as dining specials at Café One Eleven and Agave Caliente Tequila Bar. Admission is free and this is a 21+ event.
“The Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival has grown from a local event with a few thousand attendees and a few hot air balloons in 2015 to one of the Valley’s most popular regional events and festivals in the fall. The signature event attracts more than 25,000-30,000 attendees. We’ve been able to add an additional balloon glow at the Agua Caliente Casinos Cathedral City property, Special Shape character balloons for kids and families, headline concert performers, a drone light show, and many other additions to maintain both the momentum and continued growth of the festival,” stated Hunt.
The festival concludes on Sunday, November 24, with a final Sunrise Balloon Launch from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa. Free for spectators to watch, the Hot Air Balloons will take flight at 7 a.m. with Hot Air Balloon Rides, available for purchase in advance (weather permitting).
“We hope to continue to increase our international audience and attendees, boost sales tax revenue by increasing foot traffic at our Downtown Cathedral City restaurants and small businesses, and to continue to grow the festival to put both Cathedral City and Coachella Valley on the map. We’re very fortunate to have our City balloon that has our festival logo on one side and the Visit Greater Palm Springs logo on the other. The balloon will continue to enter festivals across the country, and we hope it will gain more interest from other regions and increase brand awareness for the Cathedral City International Hot Air Balloon Festival,” shared Hunt.
All hot air balloon rides are weather, FAA, and government permitting. There are no refunds on tickets purchased. For more info and updates, follow the festival on Facebook and Instagram, or visit the website at www.hotairballoonfest.com.
