Experience the Winthrop Balloon Roundup Festival
Winthrop Balloon Roundup Festival Schedule Of Events
Friday, February 28th:
- Hot air balloons will inflate and launch. Arrive around 6:45am behind The Winthrop Inn and Abby Creek Inn (located on Hwy 20 at the south end of Winthrop, 960/1006 Highway 20). The balloons begin inflating for launch at 7:00am and generally stay up in the air until about 9:00am.
- Pilot’s Lift Off Party: 6:30pm-10pm at the Winthrop Barn Auditorium. A cocktail reception for the pilots, guests and event spectators. Cash bar.
Saturday, March 1st:
- Balloon inflation and launching: Arrive around 6:45am behind The Winthrop Inn and Abbycreek Inn (located on Hwy 20 at the south end of Winthrop, 960/1006 Highway 20). The balloons begin inflating for launch at 7:00am and generally stay up in the air until about 9:00am.
- Pancake Breakfast: 7am-11am at the Winthrop Barn hosted by Winthrop Kiwanis. There will be a raffle fundraiser for a balloon ride donated by Snohomish Balloon Ride to raise resources for the ongoing programs that Winthrop Kiwanis offers for local children, including scholarships, hearing screenings, and more.
- Sip & Shop: 4:30pm-6:30pm wine tasting and shopping specials in downtown Winthrop.
- Balloon Night Glow: 5:30pm-7pm
Light up your night when the balloons inflate along downtown Riverside Ave. The balloons will inflate but not take off, causing the fire from the balloons to light up the town. This is not an event to be missed. This is a free public event. We recommend parking at the Winthrop Barn Auditorium or the Town Trailhead and walking to the event.
Sunday, March 2nd:
- Balloon inflation and launching: Arrive around 6:45am behind The Winthrop Inn and Abby Creek Inn (located on Hwy 20 at the south end of Winthrop, 960/1006 Highway 20). The balloons begin inflating for launch at 7:00am and generally stay up in the air until about 9:00am.
- This event is free and all are welcome to come to the launch site.
- The pilots have requested no pets or smoking at this event.
- To watch the balloons launch, please park at Methow Valley Thriftway. Do not park on the highway or at Ace Hardware.
- All events are weather permitting. Each morning at 6:45 am, the balloons decide whether to fly based on current weather conditions. These weather conditions cannot be predicted in advance. Winthrop has its own micro-climate at the base of the Cascades, and the current weather is often much better than expected.
Hot Air Balloon Rides
For the ultimate adventure, book a hot air balloon ride and experience the thrill of soaring above the winter wonderland.