Major Texas event
Great Texas Balloon Race
June 12–14, 2026 · Longview, Texas · Gregg County
The Great Texas Balloon Race confirmed its 49th annual event for June 12-14, 2026 in Longview. The organizer now says it is looking ahead to its 50th celebration next year but has not published the 2027 dates, so the supplied discovery inventory's June 11-13, 2027 projection is not treated as verified.
Why plan around Great Texas Balloon Race?
The Great Texas Balloon Race is one of East Texas' signature summer events, pairing competitive hot-air balloon flying with balloon glows, special-shape balloons, drone shows and evening concerts in Longview.
Verified event details
Organizer: Great Texas Balloon Race ↗
Verified admission options
Announced performers
L.A. Roxx, Wes Jeans, Roses & Weeds, Sunny Sweeney
Official-source details checked 2026-09-01. Ticket prices and lineups can change; confirm the linked official source before purchasing or traveling.
Plan the visit
Use the latest organizer-confirmed race weekend
The 2026 event ran June 12-14. The organizer has announced that the next race will be its 50th celebration but has not yet posted dates, so future travelers should wait for the official 2027 announcement.
Separate morning balloon activity from evening grounds events
Balloon competition and special-shape activity can occur early in the morning, while glows, drone shows and concerts are evening attractions. Check the official schedule and weather updates before choosing which parts of the weekend to attend.
Plan for weather-dependent flying
Balloon operations depend heavily on wind and weather. Keep the itinerary flexible, monitor organizer updates and avoid building the entire Longview trip around one expected launch window.
Keep exploring
- Explore Gregg County — Connect the race to Longview and a wider East Texas trip.
- Texas events calendar — Compare other Texas summer festivals and outdoor events.