Friday, August 14, 2026 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Downtown Manitowoc, 720 Quay Street, Manitowoc, WI

Lakeshore Balloon Glow, presented by Fox Communities Credit Union, is a free, family-friendly event featuring glowing hot air balloons, delicious food trucks and cold drinks, a water ski show, family-friendly activities and entertainment, fireworks and more in the heart of Manitowoc's downtown. All funds raised at the event support downtown beautification projects. Go to Lakeshore Balloon Glow's Facebook Page for inclement weather updates.

This is a FREE event. 
Schedule of Events:
5 pm | Food trucks and beverage tents begin serving and various children's activities open
5:30 pm |  Webfooters Water Ski Show
6:30 pm |  Mischief & Magic Show in Children’s Area
7:30 pm (Dusk) | Balloons Illuminated/Inflated along riverfront
8:30 pm | Fireworks over harbor

Children's Area Activities 

Activities in the Children's Area include: bounce houses (5 - 8:30 pm), face painting and balloon animals provided by Mischief & Magic, and activities provided by the Manitowoc Public Library and Lakeshore First Robotics.

Food and Beverage Options 

Come hungry to Lakeshore Balloon Glow! There will be two beverage areas selling beer, soda and water, and there will be about a dozen food trucks.

Shuttle Service

Buses and a trolley will continuously shuttle event attendees to the downtown event grounds from offsite parking lots throughout the night. Service and parking will be available at the following locations:

Lincoln High School
JFK Fieldhouse Parking Lot
S. 9th St., Manitowoc

Roncalli High School
2000 Mirro Dr., Manitowoc

Faith Church
2201 S 42nd St, Manitowoc

Trolley/Shuttle service will begin at 4:45 pm from each of the pickup/parking sites, and will continuously loop throughout the night in about 30 minute segments. The last shuttle/trolleys will leave the event grounds at 9:00 pm.

For event updates please check: Lakeshore Balloon Glow