Amazing Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival Lights Up the Skies

Look Up! This 2025 Air Show Delivers

Summer is the time to be outside enjoying clear skies and the bright sun, and Michigan is tops when it comes to exciting festival fun.

The Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival earned the 2025 title of Michigan’s Favorite Summer Festival in our very first Hey Michigan Festival Frenzy showdown! It is also among the best things to do in Battle Creek.

It adds quite a bit more to the summer sky when it fills the air with majestic, colorful balloons, July 2 – July 6, 2025.

But that’s just a bit of what this fair has to offer. Here’s a look at what you can expect if you go:

*feature image courtesy of Leslie Puckett.

event highlights

Daily Hot Air Balloon Flights & Balloon Glow

This yearly event is a family pleaser with giant balloons landing and taking off from strategically placed targets.

Over 50 colorful and creatively-designed hot air balloons land and take off throughout the five-day event at the Battle Creek Executive Airport.

Battle-Creek-Field-of-Flight-Balloon-Festival-Illume-Leslie-Pucket — Hot Air Balloon Illume – Leslie Puckett

Visitors are thrilled to see these mammoth balloons do their thing right before their eyes.

On July 2, spectators can even go out on the field and meet the Balloonists!

And, be sure to attend one of the evening “illumes” when the balloons light up the night.

Watch Daytime & Nighttime Airshows – with Pyrotechnics!

Balloons aren’t the only thing to see in the sky, though.

The Air Show features aerial displays from the United States Air Force Thunderbirds along with many other flight teams, top acrobatics, storm pilots and the ever popular “Jet Truck.”

The United States Army Golden Knights return to Battle Creek in 2025. This team showcases skydiving and parachuting.

The Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Show has a jet engine ’57 Chevy Pickup capable of speeds of 350+ miles an hour!

You’ll love the spectacular nighttime display of night acrobatic flying with colors on the wings and pyrotechnics producing a “Wall of Fire.”

Two Nights of Fireworks

And if that wasn’t enough to fill the sky, two evenings feature booming fireworks displays – including the Fourth of July.

This show is a major area draw, running over 15 minutes and choreographed to music.

You can catch the fireworks display on July 2 and July 4 at 10:30 PM.

Carnival Rides & Food Vendors

Of course, a fair would hardly be complete without a carnival with rides, food, and games.

There’s something here for all ages including live music, food trucks, craft vendors, and rides that light up the nighttime sky.

Food vendors include a wide array of kids’ favorites like pizza, nachos, cheeseburgers, ice cream and other crowd-pleasers.

Know Before You Go

Location

The Festival takes place at the Battle Creek Executive Airport.

Kellogg Field – 3140 5th Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49015

Dates & Times

The 2025 Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival runs July 2 – July 6, 2025.

Various events run throughout these days and into the evening. Specific schedules may need to be changed due to weather – specifically the wind.

You will want to check out the various pricing options for individual events your family will attend as well as parking prices.

Events vary daily.

Wednesday, July 2 – $5 Community Kickoff Day & Kids Day, $5 parking 4 PM – 11 PM
Thursday, July 3 – $10 per person, $5 parking, 3 PM – 11 PM
Friday, July 4 – $15 per person, $5 parking, 11 AM – 11 PM
Saturday, July 5 – $15 per person, $5 parking, 9 AM – 11 PM
Sunday, July 6 – $15 per person, $5 parking, 9 AM – 9:30 PM – Military Appreciation Day: all military gets in free with proof of service

Children measuring 3 feet and under get in free every day.