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It’s almost time for lift-off in Canberra! Australia’s longest-running hot air balloon festival is gearing up for its 40th anniversary in 2026. What started as a humble balloon showcase has evolved into one of the city’s most captivating events, drawing crowds of more than 40,000. It's become so 'hot' that the Canberra Balloon Spectacular soared solo as its own festival in 2025 (it was previously part of Enlighten Festival), taking flight over nine gorgeous autumn mornings from Saturday, March 14 to Sunday, March 22.
In 2026, the Canberra Balloon Spectacular will be free to watch at Patrick White Lawns, Parkes – the spacious green area between the National Library of Australia and Lake Burley Griffin. Spectators 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.
Over the past 40 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 2026 line-up will feature Finley the Turtle from the UK, who made his maiden flight in Qatar in December 2025.
If you're hoping to catch the action, you’ll need to set those alarms early. Daily flight announcements are made each morning around 6am on the Canberra Balloon Spectacular website and Events ACT Facebook page, so 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.
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.