17. Ballonfestival Bonn

The Bonn Balloon Festival — Western Europe's most important hot air balloon show

Since 2007, the Bonn Balloon Festival has been one of the highlights of the European hot air balloon calendar. In 2026, the 17th edition runs from June 12th to 14th — three days of open-air spectacle in the Rheinaue leisure park, the 160-hectare park south of Bonn's city center between the Federal Garden Show grounds and the Rhine. The location is ideal: a wide open meadow as a launch site, the Rhine nearby, Bonn's skyline with the Minster and Beethoven Hall as a backdrop.

How does the festival work?

Up to 50 balloon teams from several European countries (Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, sometimes Great Britain and France) travel with their hot air balloons and support vehicles. They fly in mass ascents: all teams take off simultaneously — visually the most spectacular moment of the day. Five ascents are planned over three days:

• Two morning ascents (Sat, Sun around 6 AM) — in calm early morning air, white sun disk over the Rhine, often the most beautiful moments for photography
• Three evening ascents (Fri, Sat, Sun around 7 PM) — in cooler evening thermals, against a atmospheric sky

All ascents are weather-dependent — no flying in wind, rain, or thunderstorms. Updates are provided on the festival website and the organizer's social media.

Balloon Glow on Saturday Evening — The Highlight

The balloon glow (Night Glow) is the visual highlight of the festival and traditionally takes place on Saturday evening around 10:30 PM. The balloons are on the ground, their burners are ignited in sync with music — the envelopes illuminate from within like giant lanterns. Several thousand spectators gather at the edge of the launch site. Afterwards, there's usually live music and a small fireworks display.

Family Program

On Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 7 PM, a family program runs in parallel:

• Zorbing — the giant inflatable balls in which you roll around
• Bungee trampoline — controlled high jumps with a safety harness
• High ropes course — climbing with various difficulty levels
• Bouncy castles for the little ones
• Balloon on a crane — supervised trial flights without actual travel
• Model balloon show with small remote-controlled hot air balloons
• Walk-in balloon envelope — tent made from a real balloon envelope
• Airship launch — weather permitting
• Food stalls with street food and drinks

Balloon Rides — Bookable with Skytours

The organizer Skytours Ballooning GmbH is one of Germany's most renowned balloon flight companies. Balloon rides can be booked directly at the festival — the most direct way to experience the festival from the air yourself. By phone at +49 (0) 221 35 55 60 or online at [skytours-erlebnisse.de](https://www.skytours-erlebnisse.de/).

Rheinaue Leisure Park as Festival Stage

The Rheinaue Leisure Park is Bonn's largest park, created for the 1979 Federal Garden Show between Bonn's Südstadt and the Rhine. 160 hectares of green space, playgrounds, picnic meadows, lakes, tennis courts, boat rentals, restaurants. The park is already one of Bonn's most important leisure locations in summer — the balloon festival adds a spectacular air show.

Bonn Summer and the Festival

The Balloon Festival is one of several summer highlights in the official Bonn event calendar for 2026: Pützchens Markt in early September (large Rhenish funfair), Wine Festival on Münsterplatz at the end of August, Street Food Festival Bonn-Beuel in mid-September, Kirmes Plittersdorf at the end of September. For families with children, hobby photographers, and aviation enthusiasts, however, the Balloon Festival is the most spectacular date in Bonn's summer program.

Tips for Your Visit

Arrive several hours before a planned mass ascent — the inflation of the balloons (spreading out the envelopes, filling them with fans, then heating them with burners) is almost as visually exciting as the launch itself. Secure a spot early for the balloon glow on Saturday evening: thousands of spectators are expected, the atmosphere is familiarly festive. Bring: picnic blanket, camera, a light sweater for the morning ascent. Dogs on a leash are allowed.