About the event

Join us this August for a summertime spectacle, when professional balloonist light up the evening sky with a beautiful balloon glow and spectacular tethered rides. The sky will be filled with a spectrum of color like never before, against a backdrop of a breathtaking Tennessee Smoky Mountain sunset, in beautiful Townsend, Tennessee! Learn More at GSMBalloonFest.com

Dates

Aug 16, 2025 · 3:00 PM - Aug 16, 2025 · 9:00 PM(GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

The event has ended

Location

Tennessee, United States

7930 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend, Tennessee 37882, United States

Directions

Parking instructions

Parking is offered at a discounted rate of $20 advanced sale online. Parking the day of the festival will be $25. A large portion of the parking sales go to support the Volunteer Fire Department. Presale entrance tickets on line are also discounted to $7 for adults. Children under 12 are free. At the Gate, the day of ticket price will be $10. These tickets are non refundable. The festival will take place rain or shine. This is a major fundraiser for many organizations in our city. We thank you for your support. The parking we are offering is immediately adjacent to the festival grounds and the shortest walk to the gates for entrance. When you purchase your tickets, you should get an email . Please have that either printed or on your mobile device to show the gate attendant. The parking area is just past the visitor center building going toward the National Park and is on the right. It will be clearly marked.

Health & safety

Please do not come to the festival if you are sick. We are a non profit 501 C3 That provides a significant portion of profits to the Volunteer Fire Department and the City of Townsend for tourism. We have also supported Townsend Elementary School, Hearts and Hands, Little River Railroad and the Heritage Center in the past. We appreciate your continued allegiance to Townsend and this is our main fundraiser. We will not refund ticket purchases or admissions due to illness.

Event highlights

Sip TN Wine Experience (Additional ticket required)

View link

Participating Wineries*

Beachaven Vineyards & Winery
Cades Cove Cellars
Mountain Valley Winery
Goodwater Vineyards
Highland Manor Winery
Apple Barn Winery 
Tennessee Homemade Wines
Beans Creek Winery
Savannah Bee Company
Smokin' Banjo Wine Company
Apple Barn Hard Cider Company
Tennessee Cider Company
Old Mountain Wine Company
Honeytree Meadery 
Walnut Springs Winery

*Wineries are subject to change

Tickets

Price: $0.00-25.00

Sip TN Wine Experience (Must be 21 or over)

Sale Ended

$25.00

+ Processing fees: $1.90

NON-REFUNDABLE

Non-Refundable Ticket

This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon receiving this ticket by email.

7930 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend
Tennessee 37882, United States

Aug 16, 2025 3:00 pm - Aug 16, 2025 8:00 pm EDT

August 16th, 2025 at 5:00 pm EDT

Sip and stay awhile at the Sip TN Wine Experience, a wine-lover’s paradise set against the stunning backdrop of hot air balloons and Smoky Mountain views. Sample world-class wines, meads, and hard ciders from 12+ Tennessee wineries, meet the makers behind the bottles, and purchase your favorite bottles to take home. Ticket Holders Details: * Enjoy wine, hard cider, and mead samples from the wineries, along with a reusable 6-pack bottle bag (all included with admission) * Exclusive access to purchase wines from all across Tennessee Requirements: *Must be 21+ with a valid photo ID at the time of entry Participating Wineries* Beachaven Vineyards & Winery Cades Cove Cellars Mountain Valley Winery Goodwater Vineyards Highland Manor Winery Apple Barn Winery Tennessee Homemade Wines Beans Creek Winery Savannah Bee Company Smokin' Banjo Wine Company Apple Barn Hard Cider Company Tennessee Cider Company Old Mountain Wine Company Honeytree Meadery Walnut Springs Winery *Wineries are subject to change Purchase Notes: No refunds, cancellations, or exchanges. Enjoy unique local flavors while supporting Tennessee agriculture and small businesses, all in an unforgettable festival atmosphere. Note: Photographers will be present, and attendees may be photographed for promotional materials. If you prefer not to be photographed, please inform staff at the event. The event will be held rain or shine. No refunds, cancellations, or exchanges.

Sip TN Wine Experience (DD) Designated Driver

Sale Ended

$5.00

+ Processing fees: $0.64

NON-REFUNDABLE

Non-Refundable Ticket

This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon receiving this ticket by email.

Adult General Admission (Balloon ride not included) Entrance day of $15.

Sold out

$10.00

+ Processing fees: $0.96

NON-REFUNDABLE

Non-Refundable Ticket

This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon receiving this ticket by email.

PARKING, Prepaid onsite (Does not include a balloon ride or festival entrance fee)

Sold out

$20.00

+ Processing fees: $1.58

NON-REFUNDABLE

Non-Refundable Ticket

This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon receiving this ticket by email.

Tethered Balloon Ride

Sale Ended

$25.00

+ Processing fees: $1.90

NON-REFUNDABLE

Non-Refundable Ticket

This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon receiving this ticket by email.

7930 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Townsend
Tennessee 37882, United States

Aug 16, 2025 3:00 pm - Aug 16, 2025 9:00 pm EDT

August 16th, 2025 at 9:00 pm EDT

PLEASE READ POLICY: There will be NO REFUNDS on Tethered Balloon Rides. In the RARE OCCASION that the Balloons cannot fly due to weather during the entire duration of the event. That is the ONLY EXCEPTION to our REFUND POLICY. If the balloons are UNABLE TO FLY due to weather, the event host WILL ISSUE REFUNDS for ALL TETHERED BALLOON RIDE TICKETS - only - REFUND WILL NOT BE ISSUED for the General Admission. Participant must be at least 5 years of age. Ticket holder will meet the balloon captain, see the inner workings of the balloon and rise in a tethered ride. There will be many photo opportunities here and opportunities to ask questions of the balloonist. Should high winds or rain or lightening occur the balloons will not be able to fly. If the balloons cannot fly, $25 will be refunded to the bearer of the ticket. You and your family's safety is of utmost importance.

Kids General Admission (Children 10 & Under) Balloon ride not included.

Sale Ended

You need to select one of the following ticket first: Adult General Admission (Balloon ride not included) Entrance day of $15.

$0.00

NON-REFUNDABLE

Non-Refundable Ticket

This ticket is non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-transferable after purchase. The delivery of the service is completed upon receiving this ticket by email.