The IBBF Balloon Festival, organised by Illes Balears Ballooning, is set to paint Mallorca's skyline with colourful hot air balloons for the second time this October. The event, taking place in Capdepera from 22-26 October, will showcase 25 balloons piloted by crews from over ten different nationalities.
This year's edition features an impressive array of unique balloon designs, including celestial-themed models, animal shapes, and a spectacular vintage montgolfiere. Notable designs include a rocket, a frog, a child's face, two birds, a piglet, and a giant ice cream cone. The festival marks a significant milestone with one-third of participating pilots being women, demonstrating growing diversity in the sport.
Flight schedules will operate twice daily, with morning launches at 8am coinciding with sunrise, and evening flights at 6pm, during sunset. Launch locations will be announced just two hours before each flight through IB Ballooning's official website and social media channels.
International participation
The festival has attracted pilots from across Europe and beyond, including the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Poland, Lithuania, Switzerland, Latvia, and the United States, alongside local participants from Mallorca and Catalonia. A notable addition this year is the participation of a French pilot who claimed the world championship title in 2008.
Festival programme
The event will commence with an Opening Tether at Grand Hotel Cap Vermell on Wednesday, 22 October at 6pm. The closing ceremony will take place in Capdepera on Sunday, 26 October at 5pm, featuring a night-time spectacle complete with lights, fire effects, colours, and music.The initiative, backed by Capdepera town hall and Grand Hotel Cap Vermell, offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy both tethered displays and flights at no cost.