Hudson Hot Air Affair 2026!

Things are warming up for the 37th annual Hudson Hot Air Affair on Feb. 6-8, 2026, at EP Rock School and around Hudson. Find details about these countdown events and all the other Hot Air Affair events at HudsonHotAirAffair.com or visit us on Facebook for the latest announcements and details. Much of Hot Air Affair will happen outdoors and we are encouraging everyone to bundle up, head outside to the parks and open spaces and look up for the balloons on Saturday and Sunday.

Hudson Hot Air Affair announces its 2026 event theme of “Sky Walkers Return to Rock” for the 37th annual celebration on February 6-8. We are delighted to return to our longtime venue at EP Rock School with many of our pilots returning to “walk” their hot air balloons across the sky. Known as the premier hot air balloon rally and winter

 festival in the Midwest, this family-friendly community event is presented by WESTconsin Credit Union and supported by hundreds of sponsors, partners and volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering with the Hudson Hot Air Affair, please check out our website’s volunteer page for a link to upcoming volunteer needs.

Several countdown events are planned to lead up to the winter festival. They begin on Friday, December 12th, from 6:30-9pm with the Hudson Hot Air Affair Kick Off Fundraiser Meat Raffle at Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse, 1237 Hwy 35 North, Hudson, WI. Join us as we celebrate the “Sky Walkers Return to Rock” theme. Celebrate the return to EP Rock with a nod to our Star Wars theme. Other pre-events include: a January Name the Porta Potty Contest; Jan. 17th Countdown Event at Hudson Grocery Co-op; Jan. 24th Breakfast Crafts for Kids at Dick’s Bar & Grill; Jan. 24th Croix by Candlelight at YMCA Camp St. Croix; Jan. 31st Countdown Event at Jerry’s County Market; on Feb. 1st the Hudson Area Senior Center will host a Hotdish Cooking Contest and Feb. 4th the HHAA Canvas Party Painting Class.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.