Fifth edition Qatar Balloon Festival returns with over 50 hot air balloons from 21 countries

With more than 50 hot air balloons from 21 different nations participating in the 10-day event, which will take place at the southern parking area of the Katara Cultural Village from December 12 to 21, 2024, the fifth edition of the Qatar Balloon Festival is returning. The festival, which is being organized by Safe Flight Solutions in partnership with Visit Qatar and Cultural Village Foundation (Katara), is expected to be the most spectacular yet with new attractions and a range of family-friendly events.

The festival's highlights, according to the organizers, will include a variety of balloon displays, including traditional and specially shaped round balloons from nations like Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and many more. Additionally, if the weather permits, morning flights will take place at sunrise, with balloons taking off from different locations each morning to provide breathtaking views at dawn. 

Additionally, Katara will have afternoon and evening events every day from 3 to 10 p.m., giving guests the chance to take in laser shows, nightglow events, tethered balloon spectacles, and more at the festival venue, which is situated in Katara's southern parking lot.

This year's event will include a number of family-friendly activities, including kite-building workshops, bouncing castles, carnival games, food kiosks, and merchandise stalls, in addition to the first-ever on-site balloon construction, which will allow attendees to watch the construction of a hot air balloon on festival grounds, culminating in an inflation and test flight. 

Other community projects include a blood drive being organized in collaboration with Aster Hospital and Hamad Medical Corporation on December 16 from 3 to 9 p.m., and 1,000 tickets for subsidized balloon flights are available at half price (QR499) and can be booked via Asfary.com from today, November 12, until March