• Gates Open: 3:30 a.m.
• Super Glow Show: 5 a.m.
• Dawn Patrol: 5:30 a.m.
• Mass Ascension Launch: 7 a.m.
• Balloon Boulevard Shopping: 4:30–11:00 a.m.

Admission is free, but get there early for the best spot on the field!

With over 125,000 spectators coming out for the event over four days, parking can be challenging. If you were not able to snag one of their Parking Passes this year, there are still several options to get you into the park. There are two parking lots at Rancho San Rafael Park, making for a short walk to the launch field. For a cash-only donation, you can park at the corner of Sierra Street and McCarran, or the Coleman Street lot starting at 3:30 a.m. The University of Nevada, Reno offers their Green and Blue 1 parking lots to the public for free parking, but cars must be out of the lot by 11 a.m. RTC RIDE will be offering free transit service to and from Rancho San Rafael Regional Park for passengers who board at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center’s parking lot. For more information and specifics on parking, check out their Parking & Transportation page.

For more event information, including VIP experiences, activities for kids, and more, check out our Great Reno Balloon Race event guide.