Major changes coming to next year's Canberra Balloon Spectacular have pilots flying high

More balloons are expected to grace the skies for next year’s Canberra Balloon Spectacular as it becomes a standalone event for the first time in its 38-year history.

The ACT Government has agreed to separate the annual hot-air balloon rides from the Enlighten Festival for 2025 and return it to a larger location near Old Parliament House.

And the pilots couldn’t be happier.

Balloon Aloft instigated the Canberra Balloon Spectacular in 1986 as part of Canberra Day festivities (the very same that birthed the Birdman Rally on Lake Burley Griffin around the same time).

Since 2011, it’s been wrapped up as part of Enlighten.

But no longer. The Canberra Balloon Spectacular will run between 15 and 23 March next year, five days after Enlighten, which runs from 28 February to 10 March.

In a statement, ACT Minister for the Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy Tara Cheyne said the move increases the chance for “near-perfect balloon flying conditions” and is supported by the flight crew and pilots.

In recent years, flights have taken off from the Patrick White Lawns near the National Library of Australia, but Ms Cheyne also said from 2025, the Canberra Balloon Spectacular will move back to its original home – the John Dunmore Lang Lawns, East, West, and North Lawns, between Questacon and the National Portrait Gallery.

“This site has a larger footprint, which supports ongoing growth for the event and a better attendee viewing experience,” she said.

Balloon Aloft founder John Wallington described the news as a “huge positive”.

“I don’t like the word ‘clash’, but operating at the same time as it Enlighten meant we had very limited available space to take off from,” he told Region.

“The one field at Patrick White Lawns was a terrific launch site, but it was just too constrained, so there was a limitation on the number of balloons we could have.”

Around 40 hot-air balloons launch at dawn every day over the nine-day event, with food trucks and coffee carts serving hot breakfast and drinks.

Mr Wallington said the change in location could enable as many as 50 balloons, a “better environment” for the public, and the Lion’s Club breakfast pop-up, which has provided food “for the last 30-odd years”.

“I think 50 balloons would be about the right limit for Canberra. It’s the only balloon festival I know of that regularly flies right out of the centre of a city, so it’s a truly spectacular event in that respect.”

Last year, the weather was “fantastic” and the balloons were able to fly seven out of the nine days. Without wanting to jinx it, this should be even more achievable in mid-March.

“It’s slightly better weather later in March, it’s slightly closer to those spectacular autumn colours, and we’re keen to keep it before the end of daylight saving so the public doesn’t have to get up even earlier in the morning to watch,” Mr Wallington said.

“This ticks all of those boxes.”

Last year’s Canberra Balloon Spectacular generated a direct economic benefit of $2.1 million for the ACT and enjoyed an 8.1 per cent uptick in attendees – 42,006 people, up from 38,862 in 2023.

An estimated 25 per cent were from interstate or overseas, compared to 2023’s figure of 22 per cent.

“The Balloon Spectacular is, without doubt, big enough to be a standalone event and attract. It’s fantastic for the local population and does bring in a large number of visitors,” Mr Wallington added.

Want to know more? Visit Balloon Aloft.