Billowing balloons will be soaring high above the Garden State this weekend at the 33rd Annual QuickChek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, held July 24–26 at Solberg Airport in Readington, N.J. The international event is the largest summertime hot air balloon and music festival in North America, and a sight to see as the beautiful balloons take flight above New Jersey’s Atlantic coastline.
The event attracts pilots from 25 states and four countries, as well as 165,000 attendees. Activities include watching daily ascensions, listening to live music and taking hot air balloon rides. The headliner band this year is Kansas. On Saturday night, all the balloons will be lit to glow throughout the night sky — a magical vision not to be missed.

© Gary718 | Dreamstime
Modern-day balloons consist of a rip-stop nylon envelope, a wicker basket, a propane burner and flight instruments. Heated air inside the envelope creates a lighter, less dense air mass, allowing the balloons to take flight. The technology is not much different than that developed by France’s Montgolfier brothers more than 200 years ago. Wind dictates the direction and speed of flight of hot air balloons and pilots can alter the direction by changing altitudes and finding favorable winds.
Balloon companies operate throughout New Jersey with a variety of available flight options.
Read This Next
Top 5: Diners in New Jersey
North America
Sep 24, 2014#TrazeeTravel
Insta FeedHotel
May 22, 2025Baseball Season Hotel Offers in Los Angeles, San Diego
Hey, batter batter! Baseball season is in full swing and cities around the country are welcoming fans to take in America’s pastime. Some, like Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown and Hotel Indigo San Diego-Gaslamp Quarter, boast special offers to help fans enjoy the game even more.
Sponsored Content
AmaWaterways’ Specialty River Cruises
When you embark on a river cruise with award-winning AmaWaterways, unpack once and step aboard a world of unparalleled experiences. With enriching excursions, exquisite locally sourced food and wine, nightly entertainment and more included in the fare, you will learn why AmaWaterways has the most returning guests out of any river cruise line.
Destinations / Middle East
May 22, 2025New Hotels, Restaurants and Attractions to Visit in Dubai This Summer
For travelers planning a Dubai getaway, the city offers a bevy of new hotels, restaurants and attractions to check out during a visit.
Hotel
May 21, 2025Partnership Between Westin, Goop Helps You Sleep Smarter
In the latest in a long line of hotel initiatives designed to help travelers enjoy better quality sleep on the go, Westin partnered with Gwyneth Paltrow’s goop to create a series of online video guides for getting better sleep while traveling.
Destinations / North America
May 21, 2025Watch Seaside Horse Races This Summer at This San Diego Racetrack
Sick of your typical summer travel and looking to shake things up this year? Check out the ultimate summer bucket-list experience at Del Mar Racetrack in San Diego, California. Del Mar Racetrack is a staple for locals and visitors alike and can be easily added to your itinerary while visiting downtown San Diego or its neighboring beach towns.
Hotel
May 21, 2025Cayo Espanto Debuts Phase One of Property-Wide Enhancements
Cayo Espanto, a private island resort 3 miles off the coast of Belize, recently completed phase one of its property-wide refurbishment. Each of the resort’s seven villas now boast modern fixtures, unique architectural elements and other expanded features.
ShareThis