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 7, 20257 WorldHotels Properties Prioritizing Wellness
WorldHotels boasts a collection of hotels and resorts around the world with diverse wellness offerings. Add these properties to your list for your next wellness getaway.
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.
Hotel
May 7, 2025Anthropologie Partners with Philly Hotel to Debut Fully Shoppable Anthropologie Suite
Prolong that feeling of stepping into an Anthropologie store (you know, the iconic candles, home décor and stylish clothes) and sleep in an actual Anthropologie-themed suite. Hotel Anna & Bel in Philadelphia collaborated with Anthropologie Home to create The Anna Suite by Anthropologie Home, a two-bedroom retreat not only full of Anthropologie’s Spring 2025 items, but also fully shoppable.
Dining/Entertainment
May 6, 2025What to Expect from This Year’s Food & Wine Classic in Charleston
Mark your calendar now for the Food & Wine Classic in Charleston. The second annual event takes place Nov. 14–16 and is the perfect excuse for traveling foodies to make their way to the South Carolina city.
Airlines
May 6, 2025SAS Introduces Flavors by SAS
Scandinavian Airlines will unveil its Flavors by SAS food and beverage concept. Launching Oct. 1, the new service will offer passengers a more varied, globally inspired culinary offering, coming first to the new European business class and later to lounges and intercontinental flights.
Hotel
May 6, 2025Why You Should Head to This Unique Costa Rican Surf Club
In Nosara, Costa Rica, you’ll not only find coastlines with exceptional surf breaks, but also The Gilded Iguana Surf Hotel, a family-owned and locally run boutique hotel offering travelers a comfortable stay.
ShareThis