FOX4 Main Stage entertainment, RE/MAX of Texas Parachute Team, Boom Special Effects Laser Show and attractions fill a four-day festival weekend on Sept 17-20
PLANO, TX, UNITED STATES, September 13, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Hot air balloons may fill the sky, but there’s plenty happening on the ground at the 2026 H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival. The four-day celebration returns September 17-20 with a full lineup of live music and performances on the FOX4 Main Stage, high-flying exhibitions by the RE/MAX of Texas Parachute Team, family attractions, carnival rides, festival food, tethered balloon rides and a new Laser Show by Boom Special Effects.
The festival’s entertainment lineup offers guests something to experience throughout the weekend between scheduled balloon activities. FOX4 returns as Main Stage sponsor with musical acts and community performances, while attractions throughout Red Tail Pavilion / Oak Point Park create a full festival experience for guests of all ages.
New this year, a Laser Show by Boom Special Effects will replace the previously scheduled fireworks display. Continued dry conditions and the current burn ban make the traditional fireworks show unsuitable this year, giving festival organizers an opportunity to introduce a colorful nighttime production while prioritizing safety.
“Every year, our goal is to create a weekend that gives families something exciting to experience from the moment they walk through the gates,” said Jo Via, Executive Director of Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. “While the continued dry conditions mean fireworks are not possible this year, we’re excited to introduce a Laser Show by Boom Special Effects as part of an already packed entertainment lineup. Between the balloons, live music, skydivers, children’s activities and attractions throughout the park, there is so much for families to experience together.”
FOX4 MAIN STAGE BRINGS MUSIC AND PERFORMANCES ALL WEEKEND
FOX4 returns as sponsor of the Main Stage, where live music and community performances will continue throughout the festival weekend.
Opening night on Thursday, September 17, features the Plano Symphony Orchestra Big Band at 7:30 p.m. Festival guests can enjoy the sounds of big band music while taking in an evening that also includes the RE/MAX of Texas Parachute Team and the first scheduled Balloon Glow of the weekend.
On Friday, September 18, Midtown 10 takes over the FOX4 Main Stage with performances scheduled throughout the evening at 6:30 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
Saturday brings a full day of music, dance and cultural performances to the FOX4 Main Stage. The Plano Community Band begins the day’s entertainment at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Children’s Chorus of Collin County at 9:30 a.m. Fusion Performance Company performs at 10:30 a.m., followed by Shaolin Wu-Yi Institute at 11:30 a.m.
Saturday evening turns up the volume with Ice House Band, presented by Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital, performing on the FOX4 Main Stage at 5:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
RE/MAX SKYDIVERS RETURN TO THE LAUNCH FIELD
The action isn’t limited to the stage.
The RE/MAX of Texas Parachute Team returns with high-flying exhibitions scheduled at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Guests can watch as the skydivers descend over the festival grounds and land directly on the launch field.
The parachute exhibitions have become a favorite pre-balloon attraction and give spectators another reason to keep their eyes on the sky.
NEW LASER SHOW LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT
With continued dry conditions and the current burn ban preventing the traditional fireworks display, festival organizers have added a Laser Show by Boom Special Effects to the entertainment lineup. The colorful nighttime production will bring light, movement and music together for a new visual experience following an evening filled with balloons and entertainment.
The Laser Show allows the festival to continue delivering a memorable nighttime finale while responding to current fire-safety conditions.
BALLOONS REMAIN THE STARS OF THE SHARED HORIZON
Of course, the centerpiece of the weekend remains the more than 40 colorful hot air balloons and special shapes scheduled to participate in the 2026 festival.
Balloon Glows* are scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, transforming the launch field as pilots ignite their burners and illuminate the balloons against the night sky. Morning Balloon Launches* are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 a.m. *Weather permitting.
The 2026 theme, Shared Horizon, celebrates the sport of ballooning and the moments when pilots, crews, families and spectators gather beneath the same North Texas sky. Balloon activities, including launches, glows, displays and tethered rides, are weather dependent and take place only during scheduled balloon activity periods when conditions allow.
FAMILY FUN THROUGHOUT THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS
Families can spend the day exploring attractions beyond the launch field and FOX4 Main Stage.
The Central Market Kids Fun Zone features inflatable and mechanical attractions including obstacle courses, giant slides and rides such as monkey mayhem and smokey the bear. All-day ride wristbands and individual ride tickets are available.
Young artists can also visit the free Kids Korner, where children can participate in hands-on make-and-take arts and crafts activities.
Festival guests can take a tethered hot air balloon ride, explore vendor booths, sample festival food and enjoy attractions throughout Red Tail Pavilion / Oak Point Park between scheduled balloon activities and entertainment.
FOUR DAYS OF ENTERTAINMENT IN PLANO
The H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival opens Thursday, September 17 at 5:00 p.m. and continues through Sunday, September 20 at 11:00 a.m. at Red Tail Pavilion / Oak Point Park, 2801 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano, Texas.
For the complete entertainment schedule, balloon activity times, parking information and tickets, visit www.planoballoonfest.org.
ABOUT PLANO BALLOON FESTIVAL, INC.
The Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. is a non-profit 501c3 organized for the purpose of staging a premier community-based and family-oriented hot air balloon event, offering other local non-profits volunteer opportunities within the Festival operations. The Plano Balloon Festival, Inc. makes a direct impact on the Collin County community by dispersing funds to participating non-profit agencies and has donated more than $3 million since inception.
Cece Henley
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Highlight video of the H-E-B | Central Market Plano Balloon Festival in Plano, Texas
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