Colorado Springs Labor Day Lift Off: What to know before you go (2024)

A beloved Labor Day festival that is sure to lift up those end-of-summer blues returns this weekend.

The Labor Lift Off is back this Saturday, with roughly 70 hot air balloons set to float over Colorado Springs. The free annual festival will run from early Saturday morning through Monday morning at Memorial Park.

Here's what to know before you go:

When and where

The Lift Off will take place at Memorial Park, located at1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., from early Saturday morning through Monday morning.

Morning Lift Off Schedule - Saturday, Sunday and Monday

5 a.m.: Park and concessions open

5:45 a.m.: Drone Show

6:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony

7 a.m.: Balloon Lift Off

Evening Balloon Glow Schedule - Saturday and Sunday

3:30 p.m.: Park and concession open

6-7 p.m. and 8:30-9:30 p.m.: Concert series - Sofakillers on Sat., Cody Cozz on Sun.

7 p.m.: Balloon Glow

Click here to see the full morning and evening schedules.

Parking and Road Closures

At this time, presale parking sales have closed. Cash-only, on-site parking will be available; however it will be $5 more than the presale prices, according to organizers. See the parking map, with prices, here.

Temporary road closures will be in place during the morning lift off from 5-9:30 a.m.; and theballoon glow from 3-11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Here's a look at the road closures, according to the event's website:

• E. Pikes Peak Avenue between S. Hanco*ck Avenue and N. Union Avenue (closed to all traffic)
• N. Union Boulevard between E. Pikes Peak Avenue and Eastlake Road (closed to all traffic)
• S. Hanco*ck Avenue between E. Pikes Peak Avenue and E. Vermijo Avenue (closed to all traffic)
• All streets and alleys running north to south between E. Kiowa Street and E. Pikes Peak Avenue from S. Hanco*ck Avenue to N. Union Boulevard (closed to thru traffic)
• E. Cucharras Street and E. Vermijo Avenue between S. Cedar Street and S. Hanco*ck Avenue (closed to thru traffic)
• Interior Park Road: Farragut Avenue between Hanco*ck Avenue and Pikes Peak Avenue (closed to thru traffic)
• Interior Park Road: Sports Drive between Hanco*ck Avenue and Farragut Avenue (closed to thru traffic)
• Interior Park Road: Sports Drive between Hanco*ck Avenue and Farragut Avenue (closed to thru traffic)

Balloon Rides

See Colorado Springs from a new perspective with the Rainbow Ryders! Sunrise flights are available from Aug. 31 through Sept. 2 for shared baskets rides, private rides and wheelchair accessible rides.

Hot air balloon flights are typically 45 minutes to an hour, according to the Rainbow Ryders' website.

Click here to see available times.

Entertainment: Wings of Blue, remote-controlled balloons, drone shows and more

Attendees can expect several different entertainment options at the year's Lift Off and Balloon Glow, including the USAFAWings of Blue Skydive Jumpers, remote-controlled balloon displays and more.

Here's a look at this year's offerings:

USAFA Wings of Blue Skydive Jumpers at 9 a.m. on. Sat. and Sun.

Remote-controlled balloon display at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Sat. and Sun., 9 a.m. on Mon.

Orangetheory 5k at Labor Day Lift Off at 9 a.m. on Sun. ($33.98), register here.

Drone Shows at 5:45 a.m. daily and 3:30 p.m. on Sat. and Sun.

Aerial Acrobats - Aerial Aura at 4-8 p.m. on Sat. and Sun.

UpaDowna Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Prospect Lake form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat. and Sun.

Live music between 3:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sat. and Sun., and 9 a.m. on Mon. Click here to see who's set to play.

The Beer Garden will openat 7 a.m.daily and 3:30 p.m. on Sat. and Sun.

2024 Gazette Photo Contest

The Colorado Springs Gazette is hosting a photo contest with prizes including a hot air balloon ride for two. The contest is now open through Sept. 8, then voting will begin on Sept. 9 through 15.

Enter for a chance to win:

1st place:A hot air balloon ride for two

2nd place: A Fujifilm Instax Link Printer and Paper Pack courtesy of Mike's Camera

3rd place:Two tickets to the Steve Miller Band concert on Sept. 27 at the Ford Amphitheater, courtesy of The Salvation Army

Click here to enter the photo contest.

Editors note: This article has been updated with corrected information about presale parking.