Boots, Balloons & Rosé All Day: This Temecula Music Fest Is Your Summer Weekend Dream
This isn’t just another wine-soaked weekend in Temecula—it’s three days of twangy anthems, late-night balloon glows, and boots scootin’ beneath the stars. From June 20–22, the Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival is serving up a full pour of country music magic, with headliners like ALABAMA, Walker Hayes, and Cody Jinks turning up the heat. If your summer plans include line dancing, wine tasting, or catching sunsets while “Fancy Like” blasts in the background, this is the festival that checks every box. Equal parts country concert, wine lover’s paradise, and dreamy hot air balloon spectacle—it’s SoCal’s answer to a perfect weekend. Here’s why this year’s lakeside bash is about to be the talk of the valley.
Three Days. One Epic Lineup.
We’re not talking fringe acts. We’re talking ALABAMA headlining the stage, reminding everyone why they’re country royalty. These legends basically invented stadium sing-alongs, and now they’re bringing “Dixieland Delight” straight to the valley. Backing them up? A stacked lineup of modern trailblazers and boot-stomping crowd favorites: Cody Jinks, Walker Hayes, Big & Rich with Gretchen Wilson, Midland, Russell Dickerson, Jamey Johnson, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Wyatt Flores, to name a few.
“We love to find that tie between the legends and those emerging artists that grew up idolizing them,” says the team behind the festival. “That is what brings generations of musicians together, and in turn brings generations of fans together for a magical weekend.”
From honkytonk nostalgia to TikTok-famous bangers, the lineup reads like a Spotify playlist designed for tailgate turn-ups and sunset singalongs.
Want to take it all in from up front? The Golden Corral passes give you pit access, while VIP Bungalows come with private tents, prime stage views, and four VIP tickets. Festival flexibility meets luxury weekend status.
Local Vines, Festival Finds
This isn’t just any concert-in-a-field situation. You’re in Temecula Valley wine country, honey. That means tastings from premier local wineries all weekend long, from bright Chardonnays to bold Syrahs that go perfectly with your smoked brisket sandwich. The curated wine village is crafted by the experts.
“Our non-profit organization partner, The Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival Organization, has worked for over 40 years curating those relationships and creating this showcase opportunity to highlight the local brands, and their importance to the Temecula Valley community.”
And if you’re more hops than grapes, the craft beer garden has you covered. Pair that glass of rosé with a lakeside sunset and suddenly you’re in a country music video—minus the heartbreak.
Balloon Vibes Are Sky-High
While country tunes take center stage, the balloon experiences deliver the festival’s most magical moments. Think sun-drenched morning launches drifting over the lake or the ultra-Instagrammable Balloon Glow lighting up the night. You don’t have to be in the basket to feel the wonder—though you can book a ride if you’re feeling extra adventurous. Full balloon rides are now offered through A Grape Escape, with sunrise flights starting at $209 if you’re ready to soar. This adventure includes a shared 60–75 minute scenic flight (with 8–16 passengers), complete with mimosas, champagne and a souvenir flight certificate. Plus, enjoy a 20% discount on La Scappatella private label champagne to toast the experience. Prefer to keep your feet closer to the dance floor? That works too. There’s a dedicated space for two-stepping, golden hour grooves, and soaking up the view while grounded in all the right ways.
Where the Party Never Packs Up
That’s right. Pitch a tent, park your RV, or glamp it up for the full festival immersion. On-site camping at Lake Skinner means you wake up to lake views, beat the parking lines, and get to stumble back to your site after dancing under the stars. Pro tip from the crew: “Opt in for the Thursday night add-on, so you can get in there quicker and be all set up to completely enjoy the full Friday. In the past, Friday was more of a late-afternoon start, but this year it is a full day starting at noon.”
“As campers, you get an RFID wristband and your own entrance—so you can come and go from the main festival grounds to your campsite as often as you like.”
Go in with friends, claim your territory, and turn it into a Western-style campsite complete with charcuterie boards and cowboy hats on tiki torches. Don’t forget sunscreen. And maybe a portable fan.
Hot Air and High Spirits
Picture it: a dedicated line dance floor, couples two-stepping in the golden hour light, food trucks slinging loaded BBQ fries, and families catching balloon launches with picnic blankets and toddlers in boots.
“It’s a laid-back festival on campgrounds at the lake, with great country music across three full days, a fun honkytonk with games and dancing, a wine tasting village showcasing the local wineries, arts and activations, over 100 craft vendors, and lots of local food options and a full bar,” says the festival team.
It’s part vineyard retreat, part country music escape, and entirely unforgettable. The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival brings together everything that makes summer festivals irresistible. The great music, local flavor, and that feeling that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. New this year? Events.com is behind the scenes powering the magic. Their tech is streamlining everything from ticketing to operations. They will ensure its easy for you to float through the weekend like a total pro.
Need one more reason to say yes? Country fans with a valid military ID get 10% off tickets. Around here, honoring service is just part of the rhythm.
Saddle up—this one’s gonna be big. Tickets are already on sale through TemeculaValleyFestival.com, and campsites fill up fast. So dust off your boots, grab your wine glass, and get ready to soak in Southern California’s most scenic country music celebration. See you at the lake.
A California local, Kathleen Hokit grew up on a farm but spent every chance she could at the beach. After earning her graduate degree in the social sciences in Finland, she built a 17+ year career writing and editing across lifestyle, entertainment, and culture. A longtime magazine lover, she now lives the dream as part of the editorial team at LOCALE. When she’s not on deadline, she’s hiking or sneaking in a beach day with her husband and son. Kathleen loves all things art—from writing and photography to spending time on the dance floor, where she teaches ballet to everyone from tiny tots to grown-ups on their pas de bourrée path.
