Free Balloon Glow at National WWI Museum & Memorial

Lift off a summer weekend with hot air balloon fun at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. 

Photo: DepositPhotos

Kansas City’s Great Balloon Glow is taking place on the North and Southeast lawns of the museum and memorial Saturday, August 20. 

The event is FREE and open to the public. 

According to the museum and memorials Facebook page, balloons—also called dirigibles or air ships—were primarily used in WWI to collect reconnaissance miles above the front lines.

KC Great Balloon Glow Activities

Pre-Party: Attendees can begin gathering at the National WWI Museum and Memorial as early as 5 p.m. to listen to music, enjoy kids activities and shop vendors, including the WWI Museum store, Strawberry Swing and gourmet dog treats from Barkville Bakery. 

Leashed pets are welcome as long as you pick up after them.

Food and Beverages: Purchase refreshments from local food trucks. Attendees are welcome to bring their own food and have a picnic on the grounds.  

KC Great Balloon Glow: At approximately 8:30 p.m. rows of tethered hot air balloons fire up their burners creating a colorful display against the Kansas City night sky. The Great Ballo0n Glow lasts about one hour. 

Tethered hot air balloon rides are offered for $25.

National WWI Museum & Memorial Location & Parking

The National WWI Museum and Memorial is located in downtown Kansas City at 2 Memorial Drive, Kansas City, MO.

ADA Parking opens at 4:30 p.m. at Federal Reserve Bank and is first come, first served.

In anticipation of large crowds, we recommend parking further away and taking the KC Streetcar to the Union Station stop. There is FREE parking available near the North Loop stops at 601 Main and 711 Main. Click here for maps of available parking along the KC Streetcar route

Paid parking is available for $15 (credit card only) at Hallmark’s surface lots #10, 11 and 12. All three lots are at 27th and Grand. Please do not use Crown Center garages.