Get the cameras ready for the festival that offers the best selfies. Agua Caliente Casinos present the 7th Annual Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival and Food Truck Fiesta on November 19-21, 2021 featuring nearly 30 hot air balloons, balloon rides, and three morning balloon launches seen throughout the Coachella Valley. Attendees will capture the beauty of several new hot air balloons to the festival this year including Agua Caliente Casinos’ new self-branded hot air balloon. Come watch the inaugural launch of this balloon along with the Cosmic Crisp apple balloon on Thursday, November 18th, 7 am, from Century Park in Cathedral City.
In addition, Cathedral City will celebrate its 40th Anniversary of Incorporation during the Cathedral City Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, November 20th in Downtown Cathedral City from 11 am to 9 pm. Children activities sponsored by TY Lin, International will operate between 11 am to 3 pm and include a Banana Balloon Candy Drop for Kids (10,000 pieces of candy); Scavenger Hunt with two bicycles given away every half hour between 12 pm – 3 pm; station games; art and craft tables by S.C.R.A.P. Gallery; 2,000 free cookies and ice cream from 1 pm to 3 pm or while supplies last; cold inflation walk-in balloon for selfies; and a kid zone with inflatables. All free for Cathedral City residents.
Agua Caliente Casinos will also sponsor Cathedral City’s 40th Anniversary Balloon Glow on Saturday night celebrating the city’s birthday with hot air balloons lined along Highway 111 from the Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City to the city’s Festival Lawn. This is a free event for all and not to be missed!
Other fun activities happening at the balloon festival include:
Three morning balloon launches:
- Friday, November 19, 2021 from 6 am – 7 am, Agua Caliente Spa Casino Resort, I-10 and Bob Hope, Rancho Mirage
- Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 6 am – 7 am, Westin Mission Hills Golf Resort & Spa, 71333 Dinah Shore Dr, Rancho Mirage
- Sunday, November 21, 2021 from 6 am – 7 am, Agua Caliente Spa Casino Resort, I-10 and Bob Hope, Rancho Mirage
Town Square Art Affaire art show, Friday and Saturday – All Day – free admission
Food Truck Fiesta, Friday 4 pm – 9 pm, and Saturday 11 am – 9 pm (free admission for Cathedral City residents with proper ID)
Beer and Wine Gardens, Friday 4 pm – 8:30 pm and Saturday 11 am – 8:30 pm
Classic Car Show, Saturday 4 pm – 7 pm (free admission for Cathedral City residents)
Kid Zone, Saturday 11 am – 9 pm (free admission for Cathedral City residents)
LIVE musical entertainment at both the Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City and the new Cathedral City Community Amphitheater (free admission for Cathedral City residents)
Gaming at Agua Caliente Casino – Cathedral City
Returning for their second appearance at the festival’s Main Stage will be “Hollywood U2” – a spectacular tribute band to the legendary group, U2, on Friday night (6:30 pm) with a pre-show by DJ Alf Alpha to get you in the mood. On Saturday, local bands will perform throughout the day on the Main Stage culminating with Cathedral City’s 40th Anniversary Concert sponsored by Ames Construction featuring “Giselle Woo & the Night Owls,” at 7:15 pm. Again, free admission for Cathedral City residents.
On Sunday, attendees can get tickets for Special Shapes Breakfast and Balloons at Big League Dreams Sports Park in Cathedral City featuring ten special shape balloons and many regular shape balloons including the Cosmic Crisp Apple, The Great Pumpkin, Shroom with a View, Lily the Little Bee, Willy the Little Cop, the Party Balloons, and many more. This is a ticketed event for all attendees.
If you would like to volunteer for the festival, such as being a balloon chase crew assisting pilots and staff prepare the balloons for morning flights or assist with landings, then contact Courtney by emailing her at foodtruckfiestas@gmail.com. No experience is necessary, and you will receive a balloon festival souvenir t-shirt and a free meal.
After a two-year reprieve due to the coronavirus, we are excited to bring this wonderful festival back to the residents and visitors of Cathedral City.
For the latest festival information and tickets, go to www.HotAirBalloonFest.com.
