It’s almost time for lift-off in Canberra as Australia’s longest-running hot air balloon festival gears up for its biggest season yet. What started as a humble balloon showcase in 1986 has evolved into one of the city’s most captivating events, drawing crowds of more than 42,000 last year. It's become so 'hot' that the Canberra Balloon Spectacular will be soaring solo as its own festival in 2025 (it was previously part of Enlighten Festival – February 28 to March 10 – but will now take flight over nine gorgeous autumn mornings from March 15 to 23).
Another big change in 2025 is the Canberra Balloon Spectacular’s return to its original home at John Dunmore Lang Place – the spacious green area between Questacon and the National Portrait Gallery. Visitors will be able to feel the flames and watch the action up close as 40 vibrant balloons are inflated and launched high into the sky for a journey over the city’s most iconic landmarks – a guaranteed Instagram win.
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Over the past 39 years, the festival has showcased unique balloons in all shapes and sizes, with favourites including a giant T-rex, Vincent Van Gogh’s head, a pair of dancing honeybees and even a Scottish bagpiper. The 2025 line-up will feature two special animal balloons, including Simba the Lion (built in 2010 to create awareness for lion poaching), and Axel the Tiger (flying off the back of the 2024 Great Reno Balloon Race, the world’s largest hot air ballooning event in Northern Nevada).
Last year, the hot air balloons launched on seven of the nine days, and with the 2025 festival running slightly later in March, the weather is expected to be even better for take-off. You’ll need to set those alarms early, with daily flight announcements made each morning around 6am on the Canberra Balloon Spectacular website and Events ACT Facebook page – you snooze, you lose. If conditions are prime, the balloons will begin inflating at 6am, with the majority of balloons having launched by 7am – you’ll get the best view (and pictures) around then.
As the balloons lift off and drift across the dawn sky, you can warm up (and properly wake up) with hot coffee and freshly baked pastries from food trucks on the lawns. If you’d prefer skipping the crowds, you can also watch the completely free sky show from popular spots, including Regatta Point, Black Mountain Peninsula, the National Arboretum and Mount Ainslie.
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Of course, the best view in town is from high above in an actual hot air balloon, with flights available to book via Balloon Aloft or Dawn Drifters. Now that’s real bucket list stuff!
You can find out more about the Canberra Balloon Spectacular here. And don’t be too down if the weather’s not ideal for take-off – balloons will still inflate and tether on the lawns, offering plenty of fantastic photo ops.