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    Great Reno Balloon Race

    4.9 (82 reviews)

    Great Reno Balloon Race Photos

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    VIP food service available until 9:00am
    Cheryl M.

    The Great Reno Balloon Race (GRBR) has been going on for at least 40+ years and my first time was about 30 years ago with my dad and have great memories *tear*...then about 2 more times and most recently, this September 4 - 8, 2024 weekend. The event is FREE but if you want to view the balloons close up, you can get up early and bring your own blanket/ chair to find your spot on the field Gates open at 3:30am with the following options: :: Park on the street with a half mile hike to the location :: Pay $25 for parking (in the lot) with a shorter walk and carry your items for a shorter distance OR :: Get the Cloud 9 VIP Club: preferred parking with breakfast (you can go up multiple times) with endless drinks of coffee, juice, mimosa, bloody Mary's. Heat lamps, table seating with a close view of the balloons, and close access to port-a-potties. They even offer a golf-cart ride from the parking lot to the VIP tent if you need it Recommend arriving within an hour of opening to get optimum parking (even for VIP) and spot on the field. Over the years, I opted for the free route but decided to indulge and go with the VIP ($125+ fees, partial amt is donated to the event) for the experience . If you have a group, event or special occasion this is a nice option. Also, it's a hit or miss on the weather as it can get cold so nice to have heat lamps so dress in layers. Located about 12 mins from Downtown Reno. Event is orderly, people nice, friendly courteous and you'll end up chatting it up with people around you. A few booths for: souvenirs, products (flashlights) and a couple of food (pancakes), coffee/cocoa vendors available It's definitely an experience to do once. Optimum time to view is before the sun rises. By purchasing a pass, you are helping keep the event free to the community: https://renoballoon.com/get-involved/cloud-9/

    My favorite balloon at this year's event!
    Jen T.

    The Great Reno Balloon Race is an amazing free event! This was my first year as a VIP on Cloud 9 and it was a great way to celebrate my birthday! The event is always well organized and goes smoothly. This year was no exception!

    Super glow show
    Vic C.

    The Great Reno Balloon Race for this year was from September 9- 11 (Friday through Sunday) and is a free event. This is the largest free balloon event in the world too. This event first began in 1981 with only 20 balloons and has grown to over 100 balloons. The event takes place at Rancho San Rafael Regional Park every September. My husband, our little girl dog (yes this is a dog friendly event) and I had decided to do a road trip to Reno so that we could be apart of this fun event and am so glad that we did. We woke up very early Friday morning for the super glow show (which is at 5 am, and did start a little after 5 am). It is here that you get to watch balloons light up to the tune of choreographed music. Then after this, follows the dawn patrol, where those balloons will actually fly in the dark rise pre dawn. It is really amazing to see them float up into the air and light up, especially to music. A little later on, around 7 am, is the mass ascension (the balloons that participated in the dawn patrol had landed previously and then driven back to the park to be part of this exciting portion of the event). However on the day we came, the winds were a bit too windy and so there was a delay. The announcer had informed event goers that they will wait to see if the wind will calm down to allow the balloons to fly. It was already around 7:20 am and so many people were leaving and getting into their cars and driving away. But we decided to stay around and wait and am so glad we did because the announcer said that they will have the mass ascension after all because the winds calmed down a little bit, but because the winds are not ideal, it is up to the balloon pilot if they wish to participate. There were many that did and there were also many groups/ teams that just inflated their balloons and stayed on the ground so that people can view their amazing balloons. It was incredible to be so close to all of these uniquely designed balloons and hear the fire roar as the balloons began to inflate. It was also quite a great thing to observe how each team worked together to inflate and slowly lift the basket upright as the balloon inflated and then slowly ascend into the sky. During this event, you can check out the village area where you can purchase food and souvenirs. I ended up purchasing a pretty balloon wind chime for my mom as a birthday present. As mentioned previously, dogs are allowed at this event (not initially on the main part of the field, right by the balloons, but after the mass ascension, it seemed okay) but please note that this is a pretty large event with many, many people and may not be ideal to bring your pet. Your dog may get stepped on, others may not realize that your dog is there, as they are all in awe as they look at all the hot air balloons (either on the ground or up in the air). Also the loud noise of the flame might spook your dog and cause him/ her to keep barking (you know your dog best, make the right decision). Since our dog is on the smaller side (also fairly well behaved to be at a very large event), we had her in a special dog backpack (K9 backpack for those of you interested) so that she would not get stepped on and made it a lot easier for us to navigate the field. When we first arrived to the field around 5 am, we brought our camping chairs with us and food to eat in the morning. Then when the announcer had informed event goers that the balloons may not fly, we decided to put our chairs back and then come back in hopes that the balloons would ascend. Please note that there are portapotties at this event by the parking lots (I didn't use any of these restrooms but wants to let others know if case they are wondering about that). There are 2 lots you can park on, one on each side of this large park. But you can also park in the street and walk and carry all of your stuff if you are carrying camping chairs, etc. It is suggested on this event's website that you can also park at University of Reno's parking lot (I believe for free) and walk a few blocks but must move your car by 11 am. The event is pretty much over a little after 9 am so you would have plenty of time to get back to your car by then. If you park at any of these 2 lots (which is a short walk to the field), it will cost $20 (we parked at one of the lots). Please not that the lots open as early as 3:30 am and one of the lots was filled when we arrived around 4:45 am but the employee told us the other lot still had parking spots available. It is well worth visiting Reno in September to check out this free event and although waking up very early can be hard on anyone, especially for those visiting out of town like us, it is well worth doing. I may have been incredibly sleep deprived that morning (since we had arrived in Reno around 9:30 pm the night before, we drove from Las Vegas), but it was all forgotten when I saw those balloons light up and glow and look forward to doing this again next year.

    9/9/22 Wine glasses
    Lee D.

    Quality/Quantity - Wow what a great experience. Bring your own lounge chairs or blankets. Don't forget a flashlight and/or snacks. And coffee!! Wear your hiking boots. Atmosphere - First event starts at 5 am until 11am ish, weather permitting!! Super Glow Show, sorry I only took a video, no pictures. Free organized parking, but get here early if you want a space in the park. The gates open at 3:30am. Or park outside and walk. A 3-day event, but one day is enough for me since I got here at 5am, LOL. Kid friendly. Quite a few vendors, see pictures. Plenty of outhouses. The ones in the parking lots usually have NO lines but the ones on the field have long lines. No hand washing stations. Park bathrooms have sinks, but no paper towels or hot air blowers, pun intended. Not pet friendly. NO drones, please!! NO smoking, please! Service - Wow people were so friendly. Teams manning the balloons were so friendly and they shared their history. Berry Good Vendor - Gave away free coffee or hot chocolate at the very end of the event, better than throwing it away, thank you. Oh, and DON'T forget to tip!! Price - FREE!! Don't forget to donate or shop at their tent where all the proceeds go into making this event free for anyone who enjoys it. Owner Comment - Congrats on all your success since 1982, it is so good to see you grow. I will help spread the word and bring my friends annually!!

    Dawn Patrol 9.11.21
    Lynda B.

    September not only brings fall, crisp weather but Dawn Patrol & Balloon Races for our annual Family tradition of waking up at O dark thirty to see this beautifully spectacular event. Nothing compares to being cuddled up under blankets with our fambam next to other onlookers as we count 3, 2, 1 glowww watching the twinkling of Dawn Patrol Balloons light up andd dance to a song each year while sipping on hot cocoa. Then as the sun just breaks on the horizon watch each team fill the massive Balloons to get a glimpse of the FUN shapes and characters that are soon to be floating above for fox and hound. Seeing mass ascension is truly a beautiful spectacular experience with all the colors of the balloons floating around ~ this is an absolute MUST SEE! Parking, getting in and around the inside of the grounds ~ be patient and allow for plenty of time as there are lotsa of people in attendance each day. Event coordinators / security staff work efficiently and effortlessly to keep attendees safe, moving along to get you in to the event and back out. Plenty of concession stands, vendors and restrooms aka porta-potties too. Enjoy the day, be in the moment with your family and friends andd be sure to capture some ahhmazing pictures.

    Breathtaking
    Paige B.

    It took me five years of planning on going to actually go!! Totally worth every minute of sleep lost. This is one of those surreal experiences I will now be enjoying every year. If you can get your kids up, it is totally worth the trip for them. They can hang out, sleep, enjoy the wonders in the sky. Bring your blankets, chairs, lots of coffee and hot chocolate to be fully prepped. Of course a stop at Doughboys on the way is a perfect addition to the early morning. The music, the silence, the sounds of the balloons firing up makes for a magical morning.

    Molly M.

    Such a wonderful thing to experience! Yes getting up at 3am is never fun but for this event it is absolutely worth it. Dress warm! I'm talking layers! It might not seem cold but sitting outside in the dark for hours the damp will seep in. Bring chairs or blankets to sit on bc if you sit on the cold ground with no protection you will be uncomfortable. Also bring blankets to cover up with! This is very important bc You will get cold, which takes all the fun out of the experience. We waited in the line for the public parking to get inside Rancho San Rafael. Bc we were early the line went fairly quickly. 10 mins maybe we waited. The guys are helpful in directing traffic but they do ask for a $20 donation to support the balloon races and to park. Sure your able to park outside of rancho just be prepared for a bit of a walk. I encourage you to bring your own food. I packed muffins and my own snacks and a thermos of piping hot coffee just to avoid having to stand in any lines. Also bring a flashlight or head lamp bc it is still very dark out and the trail from the parking lot to the area where the balloons are is not lit up as well as it should be. So following a dark dirt path with a pond on one side can be iffy without a light. Have cash on hand, there's some cool vendors and most of them were having difficulty getting their card readers to work. They have atm's but the one near us wasn't dispensing any cash? So it didn't do any good. To be on the safe side bring cash. The glow show began at 5am, and then dawn patrol was right before 6am and then around 7am all the rest of the balloons go up. Each one offers a cool experience. Just Another wonderful summer event Reno offers. It's a must experience at least once in your lifetime.

    Vader and the 501st Legion
    Anna T.

    The balloon race is an event like no other and so nice that it is here in Reno. The event is so well organized, great merchandise and plenty of food options. This is a free event inside Rancho San Rafael Park. By supporting the vendors, purchasing the merchandise and those that pay for VIP parking will keep this event free of charge. The event starts at 5am with the Super Glow Show and by 9am, the event concludes. I enjoyed walking on the field to see each of the balloons up close. Yes, early morning but so worth it.

    Dawn patrol
    Ashley H.

    This is absolutely one of our favorite events. Whether I'm at the actual event or chasing the balloons around Reno because I woke up late, nothing beats these days! This year I was so happy the smoke had settled and we were able to enjoy the whole event. We entered on the back side of the park and were able to be close to the balloons and avoid the crowds! We started with Dawn Patrol and then waited for all of the balloons to float away after sunrise. The announcer is the best. He's so funny! We love San Rafael park but this event makes us love it even more !

    Marlene Y.

    Attending GRBR is a must. Purchase a VIP table of 8 and it's a dream. You get a special parking pass and they shuttle you to the tables. Heaters keep you warm and so do the mimosas and Bloody Marys. You can drink your coffee and tea with pastries or you could just eat eggs, bacon, potatoes and sausages!! Yum! They start at 4:30 and don't close down food/drink until 8:30. Buy a table for 8 next year, ok?

    Kara S.

    As a UNR student, I've thought about going to the balloon races for the last three years and for whatever reason never did. As I went for the first time this year, I was amazed by everything the event had to offer from the amazing glow show to the sight of all the balloons in the sky. Also, the vendors that were there were wonderful. Heads up, the glow show starts at 5am, with the park opening at 3:30. My friend and I were able to park at UNR campus near Comstock Dr for free around 4 am and take the 10 minute walk from there. Yes, had to be awake at 3am, but very worth it!

    The Dawn Patrol
    Cory P.

    The Great Reno Balloon Race is one of the best events in Reno and my personal favorite. Watch as the skies are filled with color as these balloons start to make their ascension! Get an early start to also witness the Glow Show and Dawn Patrol. This year, the event ran from Friday, September 7th through Sunday, September 9th. This event is free for spectators thanks to the support of sponsors and from donations. If there's one thing you should be wary of, it would be about the parking situation. As you've probably heard before, "The early bird gets the worm." Parking is limited and with a portion of North Sierra Street being closed off, there won't be much street parking either. We were fortunate enough to have been able to park in one of the parking garages on UNR's campus, thanks to one of our friends who happens to have a pass for that garage. If you can manage to find parking and make your way over to the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park, you're basically set! There are multiple merchandise and food vendors throughout the venue. Want to take home some memorabilia for yourself, friends or family? You're definitely in luck! If you didn't have breakfast either, there's coffee, hot chocolate, breakfast burritos, funnel cakes and so much more to munch and sip on. The Glow Show is usually the first scheduled event to start off the Balloon Race. A row of balloons are inflated and with the help of the announcer, they'll synchronize with each other to light off and give off a warm glow. Afterwards, the Dawn Patrol (that very same row of balloons who performed the Glow Show), will make the first ascension into Reno's skies while glowing. Once that is finished, the sun should be peaking through the mountains and the National Anthem will commence. Shortly after, the mass ascension will start and it is absolutely spectacular! Balloons of all sorts of shapes and varying colors will fill the sky and will make for some serious pictures and beautiful backdrops. Just a tip, be on the lookout for some storm troopers and Darth Vader roaming the venue. They're not as mean as portrayed in the movies! Just picture you with the squad and those lovely hot air balloons for a perfect backdrop. With the Great Reno Balloon Races being a free event, there's no reason for you not to go! It's well organized and they really did transform the park into such a festive venue. I don't normally wake up at four in the morning, but I assure you, this is one event you will not want to miss. See you all at next year's Balloon Race!

    Dan M.

    Always a great event, if you don't mind waking up at 4am to be on the field by 5am to see the Ballon glow, dawn patrol launch and finally the mass ascension at 7am. Definitely a great event for all ages. See ya next year.

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    I advise everyone to take your families here, it is a great memory to make with family and friends, especially little ones.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Great Reno Balloon Race

    What time do you have to be there?

    about 4;30 am

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    Review Highlights - Great Reno Balloon Race

    Although we had to wake up at 4 in the morning to get to the super glow show at 5, it was absolutely worth it.

    Mentioned in 29 reviews

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    Sweat Your Pints Off - Brothers Barbecue

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    I had such an amazing time at the Diwaliwood Yelp event! From the moment I walked in, the energy…read morewas vibrant, welcoming, and full of celebration. The décor was stunning--bright colors, beautiful lighting, and so many thoughtful touches that brought the Diwali spirit to life. The food was incredible! Every dish was flavorful, fresh, and perfectly spiced. I loved being able to try so many different items, and the staff were so friendly and excited to share the stories behind each dish. The entertainment was a highlight--live music, dancing, and interactive moments that made the whole experience feel lively and immersive. It was the perfect mix of fun and culture. Huge thank you to the Yelp team and the hosts for putting together such a memorable event. I left with a full stomach, a happy heart, and a deeper appreciation for the Diwali celebration. Can't wait for the next one!

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    Great Reno Balloon Race - localflavor - Updated May 2026

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