Hudson Hot Air Affair : : February 7, 8 & 9, 2025

The 2025 Hudson Hot Air Affair is set for February 7-9, 2025. Please check back this winter for event updates

Hudson Hot Air Affair's 36th annual balloon rally and winter festival was on the weekend, February 7-9, 2025.

Much of Hot Air Affair happens outdoors and we are encouraging everyone to bundle up, head outside to the launch field (or in the parks and open spaces) and look up for the balloons on Saturday and Sunday during Hot Air Affair.

In additions to the hot air balloons, there are all kinds of other activities planned for people to enjoy during the weekend. Check out our 2024 schedule of Events as a sample of the Hot Air Affair events and activities... many of these favorites will be back in 2025.

Bloody May Walk Fundraiser

Bloody May WalkEnjoy a day of fun at the Hudson Hot Air Affair Bloody Mary Walk Fundraiser on September 14th, in downtown Hudson. Choose from two flights and two different routes for one bloody good time. Get your tickets now by visiting tinyurl.com/hhaabmw24.

A Bloody Mary Walk fundraiser on Saturday, September 14 will be raising funds for the Hudson Hot Air Affair, the annual community winter balloon rally in Hudson, WI.

The fundraiser features eight downtown Hudson bars/restaurants offering their best Bloody Mary creations. Two flights will feature four locations each. There will be a morning flight at 11am and an afternoon flight at 2pm. Check in starts at 10:30am and 1:30pm at Grand Fête at 512 Second Street in downtown Hudson.

Walkers can choose a North or South route, and all locations are within walking distance. Participants in the North Walk are Post American Eatery, Black Rooster Bistro, Bennett’s Chop & Railhouse and Pedro’s Pizza Lounge. The South Walk includes Dick’s Bar & Grill, Lucky Guys Distillery, Ziggy’s Bar & Restaurant and Hop & Barrel Brewing.

New this year, Hop & Barrel will offer a choice from their beers for a chaser and free samples of Bloody Mary mixes will be offered by Nan’s Naughty and Nice Bloody Mary Mix at the brewery.

Supporting partners for the event are Tonka Vodka and Grand Fête.

Tickets are now available for $40 each with buyers choosing a 4-location flight either Saturday morning or Saturday afternoon. Get your tickets now by visiting tinyurl.com/hhaabmw24.

 

2024 Real-Time Flight Information

The Real-Time Flight Information below will have the latest updates on balloon flight decisions. This information will be posted as soon as we know the weather conditions at the launch field and whether it is safe for the balloons to launch. (Some times this information is not available until launch time.)

Scheduled Hot Air Balloon Launches:

Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 7:35 am: BALLOON LAUNCH, Hot air balloons in mass ascension flight at E.P. Rock school grounds, 340 13th Street South, Hudson, WI.

Saturday, February 8, 2025 at 3 pm: BALLOON LAUNCH at E.P. Rock school grounds, 340 13th Street South, Hudson, WI.  This is an optional flight if morning flight is launched, or a mass ascension if the morning flight is canceled.

Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 7:35 am: BALLOON LAUNCH, Hot air balloons in mass ascension flight at E.P. Rock school grounds, 340 13th Street South, Hudson, WI.

All balloon inflations and flights are weather dependent.
(You can learn more about what kind of weather is needed for a hot air balloon flight at: https://hudsonhotairaffair.com/weather-to-fly)

Launch Field Notice:

RE/MAX Inflate

We ask for your cooperation at the launch field • No Alcohol • No Smoking • No Drones, and • Only Service Animals, Please.

 

PORTABLE RESTROOMS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE SCHOOL, NEAR THE LAUNCH FIELD. The restrooms inside EP Rock School are not available to the public during Hot Air Affair.

Hot Air Balloon Flight Conditions:

Ideal Flight Conditions:

  • Light winds less than 6 mph
  • Good visibility
  • Sunshine or if cloudy, high cloud ceilings

Unfavorable Flight Conditions:

  • Too strong wind, over 8 mph OR no wind at all
  • Poor visibility or low cloud ceilings
  • Snow or rain

Hot air balloons depend on different weather factors, including wind speeds, visibility, temperature. Lean more >

Check the FAQs page for more information about hot air balloons and Hudson Hot Air Affair.

How to Get There

Directions to EP Rock School (Launch Field) at 340 13th Street South, Hudson, Wisconsin

From MN: I-94 East, take Exit 1 North towards downtown. At stoplight take a right (East) onto Coulee Road. At the stoplight take a left (North) onto 11th Street. Right (East) onto Summer Street to EP Rock School.

From Stillwater: Take St. Croix River crossing bridge to Wisconsin. Take Hwy 35 South to Hudson. Turn left (East) onto Coulee Road. At the stoplight take a left (North) onto 11th Street. Right (East) onto Summer Street to EP Rock School.

From WI: I-94 West, take Exit 2 and go North. Turn left (West) onto the frontage road (Coulee Road). At the stoplight take a right (North) onto 11th Street. Right (East) onto Summer Street to EP Rock School.

Launch Field (EP Rock School) Regulations:
No Alcohol
No Smoking
No Drones
Only Service Animals Please

Thank you for your cooperation.

Hudson Hot Air Affair Partner Balloon Companies & Sponsors

There are no hot air balloon rides sold during Hot Air Affair!

Balloon Rides with Partner Balloon Companies

Hudson Hot Air Affair is a spectator event with balloons sponsored by area businesses. No hot air balloon rides are sold during the event.

If you are interested in purchasing a balloon ride, Hot Air Affair partner balloon companies offer rides year-round (weather permitting).

Aamodt’s Hot Air Balloon Rides http://www.aamodtsballoons.com/

Stillwater Balloons https://stillwaterballoons.com/

Lesmeister Balloon Company https://www.facebook.com/Lesmeister-Balloon-Company-1492577431034277/

: :

You can connect with Hudson Hot Air Affair here on our website, on Facebook, on Instagram and on Twitter.