Lincoln, Illinois Balloons Over 66 Weekend 2025
August 22 @ 4:00 pm - August 24 @ 3:00 pm
Lincoln has had a long history with Hot Air Ballooning beginning with the Art and Balloon Festival that began in 1988. Later the Balloon Festival was separated from the Art Festival and continued on until 2017. In 2019, Balloons Over 66 began. As with the Art and Balloon Festival, balloon pilots travel from around the country to participate in Balloons Over 66. 35 beautiful hot air balloons will grace the Lincoln/Logan County skies once again! There will also be many other festivities taking place in historic Lincoln, Illinois/Logan County this same weekend.
Balloon Flights / Balloon Glow Schedule
August 22nd & 23rd 2025!
There are 35 Balloons coming to town this year! The pilots meet soon before the launches to determine whether they will set up and launch, set up and stay tethered to the ground, or not launch at all- (depending on weather)
The flights are slated for:
OPEN ARMS LINCOLN – 1321 IL-10, Lincoln, IL
- Friday Evening Balloon Launch – 6PM
- Saturday Morning – Hare & Hound Target Competition – 6:15AM
- Saturday Evening Balloon Launch – 6PM
- Saturday Evening Balloon Glow – 8PM/8:30PM
- Sunday Morning Balloon Launch – Balloons Launch From All Over Town, In Hopes To Fly Directly Over Downtown Lincoln (If Possible) – 6:15AM
The glow is where the pilots set up the balloons, stay tethered to the ground and glow at night.
Downtown Lincoln On The Square: 601 Broadway St
- Dock Dogs Competition
- Up in Smoke BBQ Competition (KCBS Sanctioned)
- Logan County Steak Cookoff
- Lincoln Art Institute- Lincoln Art Fair
- Live Bands
- Food Trucks
- Balloon Walk- Walk Inside An Inflated Hot Air Balloon! FREE!
- Activities For Kids At Latham Park- Inflatables
- Balloons Over 66 Bags Tournament
- Lincoln Public Library Buck-A-Bag Book Sale
The Oasis Center: 2810 Woodlawn Rd
The Lincoln Park District: 1400 Primm Rd
LINCOLN VILLAGE HEALTHCARE – 2202 N. KICKAPOO ST
- THURSDAY – Kick Off Party – FREE!
Lincoln Art Fair – https://www.facebook.com/events/1051465390350129
Location: Downtown Lincoln – Lincoln Arts Institute
112 S. McLean Street., Lincoln, IL 62656
Friday, 23rd 5:00PM – 8:00PM
Saturday, 24th 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Oasis Craft & Vendor Show
Location: Oasis Senior Center
2810 Woodlawn Road. Lincoln, IL 62656
Saturday, 24th 10:00AM – 4:00PM
The Oasis will host a Craft and Vendor show during the Balloons Over 66 weekend here in Lincoln. There will be Brat/Hog dog and Corn on the Cob sold. They will be packed with vendors!
