Chicago’s newest immersive experience, EmotionAir by the Balloon Museum, has officially arrived, and it’s even cooler than we expected. This exhibition transforms inflatable art into an emotional journey, inviting you to play, reflect, and explore. Every room evokes a different feeling, and the contrasts between them are striking. One moment you’re surrounded by bright color and motion, the next you’re walking through darkness and sound.
Designed by world-renowned contemporary artists, EmotionAir combines creativity and craftsmanship in ways that will amaze both kids and adults. While most of the installations are joyful and interactive, a few darker rooms may be a bit intense for very young children. You won’t want to miss this amazing experience! It’s in Chicago now through April 6, 2026.
Features of EmotionAir
EmotionAir unfolds across 18 rooms, each one designed to inspire a different emotional response. Families will find plenty to see, touch, and experience. We highly recommend reading the exhibit introductions on the screens when entering each room because they give great insight on the meaning behind the installations.
We won’t give away all 18 rooms (half the fun is discovering what you’ll walk into next) but here are a few highlights to give you a taste of what’s in store…
In Airship Orchestra, the beings’ eyes follow you as you navigate your way through these calm creatures.
ADA features a massive white ball covered in charcoal sticks that invites visitors to push and spin the sphere to leave bold black marks across white walls, ceiling, and floor. Kids will love that they’re literally helping create the art. Jondra and I were invited to the media preview, so you can see the blank slate below, but we’re eager to see what it looks like after everyone leaves their mark!
Playground Love has brightly colored inflatable balls scattered across the floor, inviting movement and laughter. Feel free to roll them around and interact with everyone else in the room.
Step into a shimmering corridor filled with silver balloons and a gust of air that makes it feel like you’re floating in Invisible Ballet.
Hyperfeeling is a show-stopper! A massive ball pit stretches beneath a canopy of tens of thousands of suspended balloons. Every 15 minutes, a colorful projection show fills the space with movement and sound. It’s pure magic.
Balloon Museum staff will let you know when you can enter into this area as well as exit so you can experience the entire show. Please note that some of the imagery might be scary for little kids.
We were really happy to hear that they use three special machines to clean the balls that automatically vacuums, washes, disinfects with UV light, and dries them for immediate use.
EmotionAir isn’t just another immersive pop-up; it’s a playful exploration of emotion and imagination. From the tactile joy of rolling colorful spheres to the awe of watching thousands of balloons shimmer overhead, this experience blends modern art with pure wonder.
You may be surprised by how deeply you feel inside each room. Some rooms were really calm and peaceful, while others were ominous. It’s a place where art, emotion, and play collide, and it’s one of Chicago’s most memorable family experiences this season!
Food
Outside food isn’t permitted inside the exhibit, but there’s a Balloon Bar near the exit with drinks, snacks, and sweet treats. For a full meal, nearby restaurants along Diversey Avenue or Milwaukee Avenue make a great stop before or after your visit.
Bathrooms
Restrooms are available and located on the same floor as the exhibit, next to the Balloon Bar and gift shop near the front doors. The space is designed for accessibility and convenience since everything is on one level.
Tickets
Tickets start at $28 for children and $37 for adults during the week. Parking in front of the Balloon Museum is planned to be $10 and the overflow parking garage charges an hourly rate.
Updated October 2025 and subject to change.
Recommended Ages
The Balloon Museum is accessible to all ages, but we feel kids ages 7+ would most enjoy the interactive exhibits and appreciate the artistry behind the fun. Tweens and teens will love the variation of the exhibits in each room and photo-worthy installations. This experience is also amazing for a date night, friend get together, and more. There’s so much to explore, feel, and talk about!
Best Times to Visit
Weekdays or early time slots are your best bet for fewer crowds and longer playtime in the ball pit. We’re anticipating weekend afternoons to be the busiest. Plan for about 60–90 minutes to experience all the rooms without rushing.
Accessibility
EmotionAir is located on a single, ground-level floor, making it easy to navigate with wheelchairs and strollers. However, the ball pit is not equipped with a lift, so it may not be accessible to all visitors.
Lighting and sound vary throughout the exhibit, so guests with sensory sensitivities may prefer quieter times or to bring headphones. Staff are friendly and happy to suggest alternate routes or breaks as needed.
Hours and Location
Balloon Museum EmotionAir is at The Fields Studio in the Avondale neighborhood of Chicago from October 30, 2025 through April 6, 2026. It’s open daily and the hours vary by day.
Enter at the Gate 1 sign at The Fields Studio, drive down the long driveway to the gate to access the parking lot. Overflow parking is available at The Fields Studio parking garage, which is the next driveway (on the other side of the sign at the street).
Balloon Museum
2828 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60641
About Balloon Museum
The Balloon Museum was created by Lux Entertainment, an Italian entertainment and experiential art company. The company creates touring exhibitions that combine inflatable art with immersive environments and live performances. The first exhibition, Pop Air, premiered in Rome in 2021 and now they have installations around the world.
We loved meeting the creator and so many people that are working behind the scenes to make this an amazing experience! It’s truly something special.
