Charleston Hot Air Balloon Festival & Polo Match

The Charleston Hot Air Balloon Festival and Polo Match will be back this year on November 6th from 12pm to 10pm! If you’ve never been to this annual event, you’re in for a truly unforgettable experience. There’s nothing like seeing the hot air balloons soaring through the skies over the city of Charleston, and one of the only better experiences is getting in a tethered hot air balloon yourself and looking down on the sites below.

However, the hot air balloons are just one part of this incredible Lowcountry event. You should come prepared for a full day of fun for the whole family, with plenty of activities that ensure that there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy. Here are just a few of the things that make the Charleston Hot Air Balloon Festival and Polo Match a truly memorable event!

Polo

We’ll start with one of the main events, The Victory Cup polo match. It’s become known as “America’s Polo Match” and is just as beloved as the hot air balloons. Even if the young ones in your group don’t fully grasp the rules of polo, they will unquestionably enjoy the tradition of stomping on the divots halfway through the match. When it’s played at its best, polo is a genuinely majestic sporting experience.

The Balloon “Glow Show”

Gather with thousands of spectators to experience these magical giants close-up as part of the the ever popular “Balloon Glow Show” each evening. A Balloon Night Glow is a gathering of hot air balloons that inflate at night. When the burners are ignited, the balloons come to life with brightly glowing colors and the roar of the burners.

It’s a spectacular display of color and sound within the magical nighttime ambiance where families and children may walk up to the balloons to feel the heat from the burners it inflates the canopy and see first-hand the shapes and colors come to life. Watch as these colorful shapes float high above the crowd with music, lights and special effects that will be sure to bring smiles to all ages.

Balloons aren’t the only way to get up in the air over Charleston. Helicopter rides are a great way to look at the festival from above and experience something that few people have ever seen. If you’re looking for a quick way to get up into the air, this can be a great way to do precisely that. Like the hot air balloons, going for a helicopter ride is also weather permitting.

Seafood Tents

The Victory Cup has partnered with the Great American Lobster Festival this year to bring a VIP national seafood experience that you won’t want to miss! One of the best things about coming to the Lowcountry is the food, and the Charleston Hot Air Balloon Festival certainly doesn’t disappoint! You’ll experience a menu filled with oysters, lobster, and mussels. If you prefer something different, seafood is just one of the food offerings available at the festival.

The festival is a great place to get some unique items to add to your home’s decor. You’ll see plenty of tents with vendors selling their creations, and you might even find a piece or two that you want to take home with you. Even if you don’t find anything you wish to purchase, it’s a lot of fun seeing the artists and businesses of Charleston show off their works.

What’s a festival without plenty of great music? You’ll listen to some local artists as well as some up-and-coming musical talents, who will keep the atmosphere festive and lively all day long.

If any of that sounds like your idea of a great time, now’s the time to buy tickets for the Charleston Hot Air Balloon Festival! Buying your tickets early allows you to save money and ensure participation in your family’s favorite events, providing fun for everyone!

From all inclusive VIP areas to affordable general admission passes that allow nearly full access to the property, they have a package to fit nearly every budget. You can learn more about purchasing tickets here.

Right down the road from Kiawah Island, you’ll find the location of the annual event — Mullet Hall Equestrian Center at Johns Island County Park. To be precise, it’s about a 10-minute drive from the first security gate and the address is: 2662 Mullet Hall Rd, Johns Island, SC 29455.

Places to Stay Nearby

Come and enjoy a great day of food, drinks, polo, fashion, vendors, and balloons this Labor Day weekend! You can browse through our vacation rentals online and don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to help you plan your next Kiawah Island getaway.