The Great Reno Balloon Race

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The Great Reno Balloon Race The Great Reno Balloon Race is the world's largest free hot-air balloon festival.

📸 You asked, we listened! We’re extending our GRBR 2026 Photo Contest submissions for 24 MORE HOURS! 🎈We’ve received req...
09/24/2026

📸 You asked, we listened! We’re extending our GRBR 2026 Photo Contest submissions for 24 MORE HOURS! 🎈

We’ve received requests for a little extra time, so here’s your last chance to submit your favorite photos from the 2026 Great Reno Balloon Race for a chance to win a hot air balloon ride for TWO during the 2027 event! 🤩

⏰ NEW DEADLINE: September 24 at 5 p.m.

After submissions close, we’ll select the finalists and turn it over to YOU! Public voting will take place in October 2026, and the photos with the most votes will win prizes. Link in the comments to submit!

Don’t miss your extra 24 hours; we can’t wait to see GRBR 2026 through your lens! 📷🎈

Photo Credit: Brynn Herman, GRBR Photographer

Did you know GRBR 2026 included the finale for the three-event Nevada State Hot Air Balloon Championship, where Nevada S...
09/16/2026

Did you know GRBR 2026 included the finale for the three-event Nevada State Hot Air Balloon Championship, where Nevada State pilots were vying for the state title🎈

Congratulations to the Nevada State Hot Air Balloon Champions:
🏆1st place: Karalyn Mumm, Citrus in the Sky
🏆2nd Place: Will Vavra, Good Morning Sunshine
🏆3rd Place: Pat Irwin, Battle Born

A little GRBR magic beyond the field. 🎈🐻💜Our Great Reno Balloon Race interns, along with Smokey Bear, had the sweetest o...
09/16/2026

A little GRBR magic beyond the field. 🎈🐻💜

Our Great Reno Balloon Race interns, along with Smokey Bear, had the sweetest opportunity to visit the kids at Renown Children’s Hospital and bring a little balloon-race fun their way!

One of our favorite parts of GRBR is sharing the joy of the event with our community, and we loved getting to spend some time with these amazing kids. 💜

Thank you to Renown Health for welcoming us, and to Smokey Bear for helping us bring plenty of smiles! 🎈🐻

Don't forget to capture the magic of The Great Reno Balloon Race this September for the 2026 Photo Contest,presented by ...
09/15/2026

Don't forget to capture the magic of The Great Reno Balloon Race this September for the 2026 Photo Contest,
presented by GRBR and Reno Tahoe!✨📸

Submit your favorite photo of GRBR 2026 for a chance to win a hot air balloon ride for 2 during the 2027 event! Submissions will be accepted from September 10-20, 2026. After the submission period ends, the top ones will be selected, and you can vote on your favorite photo finalists. Link in comments to submit! 🎈

Photo Credit: Rilyn Spinks, GRBR Photographer

45 years of filling Reno’s skies with color! 🎈❤️As we celebrated the 45th Anniversary of The Great Reno Balloon Race, we...
09/15/2026

45 years of filling Reno’s skies with color! 🎈❤️

As we celebrated the 45th Anniversary of The Great Reno Balloon Race, we were incredibly honored to receive a Certificate of Recognition from Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, recognizing 45 years of bringing our community together and showcasing the spirit of Nevada.

We were also proud to receive a City of Reno Proclamation honoring the 45th Anniversary of The Great Reno Balloon Race, an especially meaningful recognition from the city we’ve called home since our very first race in 1982.

From 20 balloons that first year to the tradition GRBR has become today, none of these 45 years would have been possible without our pilots, volunteers, sponsors, partners, fans and the Reno-Tahoe community. Thank you for growing up with us, celebrating with us and continuing to look to the skies with us. Here’s to the next 45+ years, the next chapter and SO MUCH MORE! 🎈✨

09/15/2026

A preview of GRBR’s 1st-place winner, Justin Wilkinson, in Upgrade!, aiming for the target! 🎈🎯

Don't forget to capture the magic of The Great Reno Balloon Race this September for the 2026 Photo Contest,presented by ...
09/15/2026

Don't forget to capture the magic of The Great Reno Balloon Race this September for the 2026 Photo Contest,
presented by GRBR and Reno Tahoe!✨📸

Submit your favorite photo of GRBR 2026 for a chance to win a hot air balloon ride for 2 during the 2027 event! Submissions will be accepted from September 10-20, 2026. After the submission period ends, the top ones will be selected, and you can vote on your favorite photo finalists. Link in comments to submit! 🎈

Photo Credit: Ryan Gustafson, GRBR Photographer

Did you know The Great Reno Balloon Race is also a pilot competition? 🎈Besides the standard targets on the ground, the p...
09/15/2026

Did you know The Great Reno Balloon Race is also a pilot competition? 🎈

Besides the standard targets on the ground, the pilot competition also includes virtual targets in the sky. Competitors use electronic devices to navigate these aerial tasks.

🏆 Here are your 2026 winners:
1st Place | Justin Wilkinson, Upgrade!
2nd Place | Michael Stone, Orange!
3rd Place | Pat Irwin, Battle Born
4th Place | Karalyn Mumm, Citrus in the Sky
5th Place | Michael Glen, Joelly
6th Place | Chris Casaceli, Phoenix
7th Place | Cindy Heinrich, Chromatica

09/13/2026

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the sky, but Mother Nature had other plans for us this morning. 🎈

The wind forecast changed, and while we were hopeful conditions would shift in our favor as it did yesterday, it is not safe for our pilots to launch or land.

Our team and pilots carefully evaluate all weather conditions when making flying decisions, with the safety of our pilots, crews and guests always coming first.

But don’t go anywhere! 🎈 Our pilots and balloons are set up around the field, so take a walk through the park, meet the pilots, see the baskets and burners up close and collect Pilot Trading Cards! Plus, there are still short-run treasurers to be found in the merchandise tent.

And while you’re here, stick around, grab some breakfast, visit our vendors and concessions, and enjoy the final morning of The Great Reno Balloon Race with us. ❤️🎈

Address

P. O. Box 12695
Reno, NV
89510

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