Qatar Balloon Festival Returns with 50+ Hot Air Balloons from Around the Globe

The highly anticipated Qatar Balloon Festival returns for its fifth edition from December 12 to 21, 2024, set against the scenic backdrop of the Katara Cultural Village. This year’s festival, organized by Safe Flight Solutions in partnership with Visit Qatar and the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara), promises to be the biggest yet, featuring over 50 hot air balloons from 21 countries, including Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, Japan, and more.

Held at Katara’s southern parking area, the 10-day event will showcase a variety of colorful hot air balloons, including both traditional round and uniquely shaped designs. Visitors can enjoy sunrise balloon flights each morning, as balloons launch from various locations across Qatar, offering breathtaking views of the dawn-lit landscape, weather permitting. The festival site will also host a range of afternoon and evening activities daily from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., with tethered balloon displays, nightglow events, laser shows, and other attractions.

For the first time, this year’s festival will feature live balloon construction, giving attendees a unique glimpse into the process of building a hot air balloon. The construction will culminate in an on-site inflation and test flight, adding an exciting hands-on component to the event. Families can also enjoy interactive activities such as kite-building workshops, bouncing castles, carnival games, food kiosks, and merchandise stalls.

In a press conference held to announce the event, Abdulrahman Al Muftah, Manager of Festivals & Events Planning at Visit Qatar, emphasized the festival’s importance as a cultural highlight, saying, “Visit Qatar is proud to continue its partnership with the Qatar Balloon Festival for its 5th edition. As a flagship event in Qatar’s calendar, it plays an important role in showcasing Qatar’s unique appeal to both international visitors and the local community.”

Hassan Al Mousawi, CEO of Safe Flight Solutions, expressed excitement about this year’s event, stating, “We are excited to bring together a diverse array of hot air balloons from around the world for this year’s festival. Our aim is to create a unique experience that fosters community engagement and promotes Qatar as a premier destination for cultural and family-friendly events.”

Adding to the community-centric focus, the festival will host initiatives like subsidized balloon flights, offering 1,000 tickets at half price (QR499), available for purchase on Asfary.com until March 31, 2025. Additionally, a blood donation drive will take place on December 16 in partnership with Aster Hospital and Hamad Medical Corporation, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The event will also feature participants from countries around the world, including Algeria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Salem Al Marri, Public Relations and Communications Director at Cultural Village Foundation (Katara), highlighted Katara’s commitment to cultural diversity, saying, “Hosting the Qatar Balloon Festival aligns with Katara’s mission to support cultural diversity and community initiatives. We look forward to welcoming visitors to enjoy the vibrant activities and displays.”

Tickets for the 2024 Qatar Balloon Festival are now available on Asfary.com, promising a spectacular experience for both locals and international visitors.