Columbus Day Festival

& Hot Air Balloon Regatta

Columbus, Kansas

Columbus Day Festival

Hot Air Balloon Regatta

OCTOBER 9th - 11th, 2026

Welcome to Columbus

Join us for three extraordinary days as Columbus, Kansas transforms into a celebration of color, wonder, and community spirit. Watch magnificent hot air balloons dance across the prairie sky, enjoy live entertainment from talented local and regional artists, and savor the flavors of our beloved community.

This isn't just an event—it's a Columbus tradition that brings families together, creates lasting memories, and showcases the warmth of small-town Kansas hospitality.

Festival Schedule

Friday

October 9

5:00 PM

Festival Gates Open

6:00 PM

Live Music Stage

7:00 PM

Balloon Glow Spectacular

8:30 PM

Fireworks Finale

Saturday

October 10

6:30 AM

Mass Balloon Ascension

9:00 AM

Festival Opens

10:00 AM

Kids Zone & Activities

12:00 PM

Live Performances

7:00 PM

Carnival & Food Court

Sunday

October 11

6:30 AM

Sunrise Balloon Launch

9:00 AM

Family Activities Begin

11:00 AM

Community Brunch

1:00 PM

Kids Parade

3:00 PM

Closing Ceremonies

Friday

October 10th

Scarecrow Contest

Scarecrows will be on the North side of the square and East on Maple St. Register your scarecrow with the Chamber office and receive your assignment of location. Prizes will be given for two places. Contest is open for all businesses, organizations and individuals. Scarecrows must be in place by noon, today.

Quilt Show

Located at St. Rose Parish Hall, 129 N. Kansas, from 1:00 am to 4:00 pm. Quilts will be accepted at the Columbus Library from Tuesday 10/7 to Thursday 10/9. Sponsored by Columbus Public Library.

Bean Feed

At Maple Street of Commerce Bank, 5:00 pm to ?. Beverage available for purchase. In case of bad weather, will be in City Park Pavilion. Sponsored by Commerce Bank.

Little Ms. & Miss Columbus Crowning

5:30 pm

On courthouse steps. Meet the children and see the crowning. Hosted by LaBette Bank.

Hot Air Balloon Glow

New SEMO Museum, West of square, SW 20th St. off W. Hwy 160, Enter off W. Maple onto Riverside Dr., around 6:45 pm. Weather permitting. $10.00 car pass fee will cover all balloon event parking. Purchase in advance at $8.00 please have correct amount. Nonrefundable. If you have never seen a glow, you certainly don't want to miss this!

Saturday

October 11th

Hot Air Balloon Regatta

7:00 am - 7:30 am

Lift off between 7:00 and 7:30 am, weather permitting. W. Hwy 160 & SW 20th St. Watch for signage. Enter off W. Maple onto Riverside Dr. Hare & Hound Race between balloons. $10.00 parking fee or car pass for all balloon event parking. Purchase in advance (no $8.00, please have correct amount. Nonrefundable.

Pancake Breakfast

7:00 am - 9:30 am

320 W. Maple, First United Methodist Church. Start your day with a good breakfast. Sponsored by Columbus Area Churches, proceeds to Summer Lunch Program.

5K Run, Walk or Jog

7:30 am

All ages. Entry Fee $25.00 pre register, $30.00 Register day of. Starting point at Pine & Pennsylvania. Pre-register at American Bank, 620-429-2020. Sponsored by American Bank.

Parade

9:20 am

Starts at Vermont & Maple. Down Maple St. to Tennessee St. Virtual Reality Roller Coaster Experiences. A "touch-to-humping" experience without leaving your seat! SW corner of square, 11:00 to 3:00 pm.

Demonstrations & Wheat Threshing

Wheat threshing display and shelling, collection of over 40 pedal tractors displayed at 100 S. Tennessee from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Sponsored by Columbus Museum.

Car & Motorcycle Show

8:30 am - 2:00 pm

Downtown square. Antiques, Classics, Street Rods, more boats, and more! Registration will be on Southwest corner of Pennsylvania & Maple Street. Pre-registration at MailTo at 620-429-8361 at $12.00. Day of Show at $15.00. Sponsored by Advantage Metal Recycling LLC, and Hosted by RealPro.

The Music On SE corner (Gazebo)

The Greenslawn Station, Blugrass will be playing from 11:00 to 3:30 pm. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy!

Antique Tractor & Equipment Show

Down E. Pine St from square. Antique tractors, hay balers, corn crackers, hay grinders, rare antique farm machinery. Demonstrations and all the old machinery that our forefathers used to establish our local farms.

Quilt Show

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Selling at St. Rose Parish Hall, 129 N. Kansas, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Viewing by the public. Sponsored by Columbus Public Library.

Petting Zoo

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Southwest corner of the square. Sponsored by Columbus FFA.

Inflatible Activities

9:00 am - 3:30 pm

S. Pennsylvania St. All of fun on four inflatables available.

Sunday

October 12th

Entertainment for all ages

11:00 am - 3:00 pm

In front of the fountain on Maple Street. Natalie's Dance Studio, CUHS Music Department. Street entertainment.

Arts & Craft Fair

9:00 am - 3:30 pm

Kansas St. on the square. Booths of handcrafts, clothing, wood items and much more!

Hot Air Balloon Regatta (II)

5:30 pm

Lift off around 5:30 pm off W. Hwy 160 & SW 20th Street. Watch for signage, enter off W. Maple onto Riverside Drive. Hare and Hound Race, weather permitting. $10.00 parking fee or car pass for balloon event parking, please have correct amount.

Tractor Pull

South end of City Park Street. Bring lawn chairs. Weigh-in at 2:00 pm, pull begins at 4:00 pm. Concession Stand. Antique/Classic with Trophy. Contact 620-762-6323. Sponsored by Columbus FFA Alumni Association.

Live Band, Torn

7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Lug Nutz Bar & Grill, 710 N. High School

Food & Drinks

A variety of food and soft drinks will be on sale on Pine Street, south side of the square.

Information & Souvenir Booth

Will be located on Kansas Street #8 Maple (white canopy tent, center of street).

Hot Air Balloon Regatta

7:00 am - 7:30 am

Lift off between 7:00 and 7:30 am. At W. Hwy 160 & SW 20th St. Watch for signage, enter off W. Maple onto Riverside Dr. Parking fee $10.00 or car pass. Weather permitting.