World’s largest, free hot air balloon event
Reno, Nev. – The Great Reno Balloon Race, the world’s largest, free hot air balloon event hosted at the Rancho San Rafael Regional Park September 5 – 7, 2025 in Reno, is announcing several new elements for the 2025 event, including an expansion of its science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) collaboration with Washoe County School District, new entertainment and returning crowd favorites.
This year’s event is on track to feature an estimated 100 hot air balloons, with full schedules of events taking place each morning from Friday, September 5 through Sunday September 7.
New to the field this year are remote-controlled (RC) hot air balloons, scaled-down versions of full-sized balloons that rise and fall using radio control. These RC balloons will fly Thursday following the media day’s Mass Ascension, as well as Friday, Saturday and Sunday in between Dawn Patrol and Mass Ascension, offering a new way for attendees to experience the wonder of flight as the broader field prepares their full-scale balloons.
Also expanding this year is the nonprofit’s Tissue Paper Balloon Launch, a longstanding tradition that introduces Washoe County fifth grade students to the STEM principles required in hot air balloon flight as they craft their own miniature hot air balloon from tissue paper and launch them on the field Traditionally held each Friday, the program will become a two-day event in 2025, for students to fly on both Thursday and Friday at 9:30 a.m…