Visit the Craft Fair and Marketplace at the EP Rock Elementary School for a selection of craft and souvenir with special winter apparel, ballooning and Hot Air Affair emphasis. Visit the Hot Air Affair booth for souvenirs, Hot Air Affair apparel and collectibles.
Hot food and drinks available in cafeteria by local non-profit groups.
The Hudson Hot Air Affair Craft Fair is at capacity. We are not accepting any new vendors applications for this year’s event.
BALLOON LAUNCH at EP Rock School grounds, 340 13th Street S. 30+ hot air balloons in mass ascension flight. Concessions and souvenirs available. Event highlight! All inflations and flights are weather dependent.
Please check the home page for flight decision before each scheduled launch.
Hot air balloon flying is never guaranteed. Balloon rallies like Hudson Hot Air Affair require good weather conditions for balloon flights. If the balloons are not able to fly, please remember there is so much more to do in Hudson. Enjoy the other Hudson Hot Air Affair events or check out the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce website for Hudson Activities or Local Attractions.
Food, beverages, concessions, souvenirs and restrooms are available inside the school from 8am to 8pm.
Enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Hudson Masonic Lodge #56, at 209 Locust Street. Sponsored by Hudson Masonic Lodge #56.
Includes pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, fruit, beverages.
$12 adults, $6 children 12 and under. Credit Cards Accepted!
There is additional parking behind the Lodge in the lot at the corner of Vine and 2nd Streets.
The Torchlight Parade featuring prizes for the best overall parade unit, the best hot air balloonist unit, featuring prizes for the best overall parade unit, the best hot air balloonist unit, the best “Sky Walkers Return to Rock” themed unit and the best kazoo marching band. Hot air balloon pilots and crews displaying blasts of fire.
Parade participants line up at 6pm at Wells Fargo Bank parking lot and the parade travels down 2nd Street. Please call 715-828-7200 by noon on Friday, Feb. 6th to register.
Parade sponsors include Culver’s of Hudson, Dick’s Bar & Grill, Hiawatha National Bank, Hudson Bowling Center/Plaza Lounge, Jonesy’s Local Bar & Grill, Security Financial Bank, The Oral Surgery Center, Valley Agencies, Inc., Valley Companies and Viking Electronics
FIREWORKS DISPLAY, immediately after parade over Lakefront Park and the St. Croix River. Sponsored by Andersen Windows and Doors.
Classroom programs on hot air ballooning are presented in area schools. Learn how the beautiful hot air balloons fly in the Hot Air Affair printable educational booklet.
The Educational Program is sponsored by Hudson Daybreak Rotary, Rotary Club of Hudson, Spring Creek Dental, The UPS Store-Hudson and Viking Electronics.
Download a digital version of the 2026 educational booklet here.
Enjoy Beverage & Bites specials and vote for your favorite for a chance to win a $50 Gift Certificate. Visit these participating Hudson restaurants and bars all weekend long: Barker’s Bar & Grill, Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse, Black Rooster Bistro, Jonesy’s Local Bar & Grill, Keys Café Bakery & Bar, Lucky Guys Distillery, Max’s Social House, Pedro’s Pizza Lounge, Post American Eatery and St. Croix National Golf & The Grounds Restaurant.
