About

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular is Australia’s longest-running hot air ballooning festival, celebrating the awe-inspiring beauty of balloons in flight. It is the only balloon festival in the world that flies over a national capital.

For 9 spectacular days from 14 - 22 March 2026, vibrant hot air balloons will fill the skies, creating breathtaking views that captivate families, photographers, and visitors alike.

This year, the festival takes place at Patrick White Lawns, Parkes, where attendees can experience the balloons up close as they prepare for lift-off.

Don’t miss this unique celebration of wonder and flight in the heart of Canberra!

History

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular began in 1986 and has filled the Canberra sky with thousands of hot air balloons over the years - an awe-inspiring visual spectacle that millions of people have enjoyed.

In its history it has been linked to events including the National Multicultural Festival and, since 2018, the Enlighten Festival.

Over the years the festival has become renowned for featuring unique balloon shapes including a pair of dancing honeybees, Vincent Van Gogh's head, a windmill, a tropical tree, a turtle, a Scottish bagpiper, a hummingbird and a frog to name a few.

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular has come a long way, growing from a community event into a standalone festival that takes centre stage.

Hot air balloons above a lake with kayakers, surrounded by hills and the Telstra tower in the distance during the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Hot air balloons in sky over the Canberra Balloon Spectacular with people gathered, green tent labeled 'L'épi', trees in background, blue and orange sky with clouds.
Colorful hot air balloon with occupants in the basket, mid-flight against a blue sky at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Colorful hot air balloons in various shapes at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular, with a crowd of people on a grassy field.
Hot air balloons over a lake with mountains and tower in the background at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Hot air balloons floating over a scenic landscape with hills, trees, and a lake at sunrise during the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
People watching a red and white hot air balloon with stars flying over a scenic area with trees and a pathway at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Scenic view of hot air balloons in the sky at sunrise, with people photographing the scene, overlooking a landscape of hills and a lake at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Festival with large character hot air balloons and crowd at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Hot air balloons over a lake with kayaker, surrounded by trees and hills during the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Hot air balloons flying over a scenic landscape with water and trees during a golden sunrise at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Hot air balloons at sunrise over a bridge and river with spectators watching at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Hot air balloons over a scenic landscape with onlookers in the foreground at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Crowd watching hot air balloons at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
People observing a large hot air balloon shaped like a girl's face with braided hair and colourful bows, set against a scenic landscape with hills and trees at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular
Hot air balloons floating over a scenic landscape with hills, trees, and a lake during sunrise at the Canberra Balloon Spectacular