Looking for a way to kick-off your Memorial Day celebrations? Check out the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic where you can walk around and view around 60 hot air balloons from more than 20 states up close, watch the balloons race, take a tethered balloon ride, or watch them glow at night. It’s a whole weekend of hot air balloon magic!

The weekend also includes: fireworks, music, a tractor show with a kid’s parade, a classic car show, an arts and crafts show, and food and activity vendors! Between balloon events, families are encouraged to set up for the day and enjoy frisbee games, kite flying, water balloon wars, lunch picnics, etc. So, plan to bring your favorite games, chairs and blankets to enjoy the whole day!

2025 Events at the Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic

SATURDAY – The celebration begins bright and early Saturday, May 24, at 6:00 AM, with the Hound and Hare balloon race: one balloon flies off the Jubilee field and the others try to follow to see which pilot can get closest to a target put down by the hare balloon.

Saturday’s activities include:

• Balloon & Entertainment Events
  • 6 AM – Pilot briefing – Main stage
  • 6:30 AM – Hound and Hare balloon race
  • 8 AM-2 PM Point Mallard Auto Expo, near the Spirit of America stage
  • 5 PM – Pilot briefing – Main stage
  • 5:30 PM – Balloon fun flight
  • 6 – 6:15 PM – Papa Pawl and the Voodoo Kings
  • 6 -10 PM – Live Band – JED Eye
  • 8:15 PM – Balloon display and glow
• Southland Flywheelers Tractor Show- located near baseball fields
  • 8 AM – Display area opens to the public
  • 10 AM – Tractor Parade of Power (around the jubilee field)
  • 11 AM – Tractor games
  • 11 AM – 1 PM – Pedal Tractor Park (6 years old and under) Pedal tractor park open to public all day – no charge
  • Hands-on Historical Tool Area – Open to the public all day – no charge
• Decatur Art Guild Arts & Crafts Show– located at the Soccer Fields
  • 7 AM – 7 PM – Soccer Fields.

SUNDAY – Another round of friendly competition between the hot-air balloon pilots is scheduled Sunday, May 25th with the Lynn Layton Chevrolet Key Grab. Balloons should start flying into the Jubilee field starting about 7 a.m. The Decatur Art Guild arts and crafts show reopens from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering festivalgoers plenty of time to shop for handmade items in between the balloon activities. Another fun flight is set to launch about 5:30 p.m.

Bands will perform on stage both days at various times and the two-day event concludes with the Alabama Jubilee Fireworks Spectacular at 9:30 PM.

Sunday’s activities include:

• Balloon & Entertainment Events
  • 6 AM – Pilot Briefing – Main Stage
  • 6:30 AM – Lynn Layton Chevrolet Key Grab Balloon Race
  • 7 AM- Balloons begin arriving on field
  • 5 PM – Pilot briefing – Main Stage
  • 5:30 PM – Balloon fun flight
  • 6- 10 PM – Live Band – The Beasley Brothers
  • 6:30 PM – Balloon display and tethers
  • 9:30 PM- Alabama Jubilee Fireworks Spectacular by pyro shows
• Decatur Art Guild Arts & Crafts Show
  • 8 AM – 6 PM Soccer Fields

PLUS… It’s also the opening of Point Mallard Water Park for the season, check out their website for pricing and times. It is a family favorite – we LOVE the wave pool and lazy river!

See Also

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If you decide to go to the Alabama Jubilee with kids in tow, you’ll need our Parent Pro-Tips!

Alabama Jubilee Tips for Parents

• Bring your own chairs, blanket, sunblock and shade. There is only grass, no seats and no shade so keep that in mind.
• There is just about anything you might want to eat available so come hungry. Bring your own water. There are places that sell it but no water fountains.
• Balloons fly early in the morning and late afternoon.  Arrive early to avoid parking problems.
• There are no balloon events during the daytime, so be prepared to occupy your time otherwise if you plan to stay. The balloon field is often the scene of Frisbee games, kite flying, water balloon wars, lunch picnics, etc.. so feel free to bring and use your play equipment; however, be prepared to move out of the way of balloons and official vehicles when flight times arrive.
• While the balloons are tethered to the ground, many of them will sell “rides” for free. Tethered rides require a signed waiver of liability; a parent or guardian must accompany children 19 and under. Not all balloons will have tethers; if you are unsure, please ask a crew member.
• Please remember tethered rides are not carnival rides. Balloons are certified aircraft and do run out of fuel, cannot fly at night, and weather conditions can change, causing a stop of balloon operations. Safety comes first.
• Many pilots will not tether children three and under. The loud burner noise can damage their ears.
• There is no smoking on the launch field. Balloons use liquid propane as fuel, which is highly flammable.
• After the sun goes down, there are a LOT of vendors selling light up toys. Save yourself $20 per kid and buy them glow sticks and a light up toy before you go. (Go by Dollar Tree!) The race is early in the morning and the “balloon light show” is after the sun goes down.
• If you stay for the Balloon Glow, it will be LATE (10:00-10:30 or so) before you get out of the park because of the traffic.
• Dogs and pets are welcome, but they must be leashed and cleaned up after. But know that for safety reasons, pets are strongly discouraged due to the loud noise caused by the balloons and the large number of people present. (Tend
• If you want to bring a sun-shelter you may, however NO pop-up tailgating tents since they take-up too much room and are hard to move.
• Don’t forget your fully-charged camera with available memory – it’s always bummer to have a dead camera or full memory if the perfect shot arrives.
• Some pilots may ask bystanders to help with the balloons but unless you are asked, please do not touch the equipment.
• Be mindful of your surroundings; DO NOT walk-over ropes, even if laying on the ground, please walk-around. Winds change and shift tether ropes can be very dangerous.
• During the Alabama Jubilee, Point Mallard Park is a “No-Drone Zone” according to FAA regulations.

2025 Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic

When: May 24-25, 2025
Where: Point Mallard Park, Decatur AL (map)
Cost: FREE

Shuttle Buses will be available from the General Electric (GE) parking lot on Saturday and Sunday from 3:00pm to 11:00. Shuttle Passes are $5 per day, per person, round trip. 2 year olds and under are free. Credit and Cash payments will be accepted for shuttle passes.

Event Schedule | Facebook Page

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