If you're looking for a way to close out summer in Colorado Springs, the calendar already has one thing on it for this weekend: the Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off. The festival turns 50 this year, and it's coming back bigger than ever — September 5, 6, and 7 at Memorial Park.

It's free to attend. That's the short version. Here's everything else you need to know before you go.

Dates, Times, and Where to Go

Location: Memorial Park, Colorado Springs. This year, the festival expands onto the park's north field, which means more room for attendees and more viewing space for the balloon launches.

What's New in 2026

The 50th anniversary edition includes several additions. A new ticketed Overlook Club offers elevated seating for those who want a premium vantage point. Special-shape balloons — the novelty character balloons that kids especially love — are making their debut at this year's festival. And the Orangetheory 5K race on Sunday morning takes runners around Prospect Lake, a nice option for active families who want to make a full morning of it.

The rest of the lineup is what makes this event a Colorado Springs tradition: live music, food vendors, USAF team skydiving demonstrations, and 65 balloons filling the sky over Memorial Park.

Balloon Rides

Attendees interested in an actual balloon ride can book through vendors like Rainbow Ryders. Rides run approximately 45 minutes to one hour and include a celebratory toast afterward and a flight certificate. This is an experience worth considering if you have older children or want something memorable to mark the end of summer.

Practical Tips for Families

• Arrive early — 6:30 AM is recommended for morning launches, which begin at 7 AM
• Dress in layers: early September mornings at Memorial Park can be cool
• Bring a blanket or portable chairs for the grass viewing areas
• Parking fills up quickly; consider carpooling or leaving extra time
• Admission to the festival grounds is free; the Overlook Club is ticketed separately

What's Next

The Labor Day Lift Off runs Saturday through Monday, September 5–7, at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs. For the most current schedule, including any weather-related adjustments to launch times, check Visit Colorado Springs at visitcos.com. Balloon launches are weather-dependent — the festival team monitors conditions and adjusts timing if winds are not safe for flight.

Whether you come for the sunrise launches, stay for the night glow, or run the Sunday 5K, this is one of the best free weekends of the year in Colorado Springs. It only happens once a year, and this year it turns 50.