An Arizona-based food, beverage and travel writer since 2008, I launched this website in 2015 to document my culinary adventures, beverage escapades, gardening endeavors, and travel in the Phoenix area and beyond. Also find a comprehensive calendar of Phoenix-area food and drink-related events on my Events page.
Cave Creek's Balloon Festival invites you to enjoy great live bands, hot air balloons, and a fireworks show on Memorial Day weekend. The balloons start to inflate and glow around 7:30 p.m. Adults and children alike will love the live music on the Sanderson Ford’s main stage. Adults can enjoy great beverages, cocktails and wine, as well as craft beer. New this year: Want to surf the new food truck menus without having to walk to each truck? Just hop online and find the information on our user-friendly website. Click on the Food and Beverage tab and plan your noshing attack. Gone are the days of purchasing food, beverage script tickets and waiting in double long lines. Head straight for your tasty eats and enjoy.
Highlights of the event: The balloons start to inflate and glow around 7:30 p.m., but you will want to be there way before then to see the Civil Air Patrol color guard presentation, a flyover by Deer Valley Composite Squadron 302, and to hear our National Anthem performed by Madison Holmes. Later, the powerhouse Shari Rowe Band will headline the event from 6:45-8 p.m. and don’t miss a beat as we flow right into more live music with the Josh Roy Band
Tickets: Discounted Pre-purchased tickets available online NOW at CaveCreekFestivals.com. New separate entrance for prepaid & VIP ticket holders. Prepaid tickets are: Adults $15, Kids $10 for ages 12 and under; children 2 and under enter free (ticket fees apply).
Day of event at the gate: Adults $20, Kids $15 for ages 12 and under; children 2 and under enter free. All sales are final. No cancellations or rain checks.
Veteran and active military Receive GA ticket at ½ price, must show identification at the ticket office day of event.
VIP tickets: Adults $75; children 12 and under $35. Price includes entrance fee, tax, gratuity, gourmet buffet from Tonto Bar and Grill (from 5:30-8:00 p.m.), a private cash bar and private restrooms. VIP tickets must be purchased in advance by the end of day May 25, and are not available at the gate. VIP tickets are limited and do sell out, so buy them early to secure your spot. Click here to purchase VIP Tickets
