The One Autumn Hot Air Balloon Festival in Indiana You Need to See to Believe

Fishers, Indiana, is a beautiful little town with a population of about 102,000 people. It's scenic, and there's plenty to do, with the famed Conner Prairie being one of the biggest draws for nature lovers. Well, autumn is coming fast (meteorological fall is on September 1st, whereas calendar fall is on September 22nd), and we all know what this means: festivals, colors, and shorter days, oh my! Did you know that every autumn, Conner Prairie puts on an amazing fall festival involving hot air balloons? Yup. And it's a BLAST. This hot air balloon festival in Indiana is perfect for the entire family - and I think you'll end up just as obsessed as I am.

Welcome to the legendary Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival, an amazing spectacle of a fall festival in Indiana that's worth traveling for. No matter what part of the state you're in, this one is awesome enough that I highly recommend coming out for it - there are plenty of awesome places to eat and stay in Fishers! The early-morning event is awe-inspiring and incredibly fun; the gates open at 7:30 a.m., so arrive early to snag the best spots in the entire house.

...well, if you consider the Symphony Bowl grounds to be the "house," anyway, I digress. This is one outdoor autumn festival in Indiana you won't ever want to end. Bring blankets and chairs! You'll love having them. There are two races: the morning race concludes at 9 a.m., and the evening one concludes at 10 p.m.

The evening/nighttime one is different than the daytime one for many reasons, so be sure to come out and enjoy both! There are activities for the kids, and since the whole thing is outdoors, I recommend wearing clothing appropriate for whatever the day's weather will hold.

There will be live music, food trucks, bounce houses, a corn maze, tubing hills, and lots more to enjoy. The festival goes on rain or shine, though, so be prepared by checking the forecast in the days before the party! Make plans to explore the town of Fishers until 5 p.m., when the gates open again, and the second race will be held.

Few things are as spellbinding as a sky full of balloons all lit up after dark. I can think of few things more peaceful than a morning (or evening) spent watching a spellbinding balloon race over some of Indiana's most beautiful landscapes, and I can think of few things more delightful than an afternoon spent exploring a charming small town before returning for even more fun.

Come out to beautiful Fishers, Indiana, and enjoy the wonders of the Jupiter Flights Balloon Festival. It's an experience that neither you nor the family will ever forget; it might even become a new tradition!

For more information about this epic hot-air balloon festival in Indiana, be sure to visit the official Conner Prairie website. If you're planning to visit and need some ideas about where to stay while in Fishers, check out all the amazing options from our friends at VRBO. Need a little more to do in Fishers? Check out Saxony Beach.