International Hot Air Balloon Festival
8 to 13 November – Alentejo
WANT US TO TAKE YOU UP TO THE SKY?
The International Hot Air Balloon Festival (FIBAQ) returns to Alto Alentejo from 8 to 13 November 2025 for its 28th edition.
With around 30 international teams from Portugal, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Belgium, FIBAQ once again establishes itself as the largest ballooning event in Portugal and one of the most emblematic in Europe.
For six days, the public can watch and take part in two daily flight sessions — at sunrise and after lunch — and experience up close the magic of inflating the balloons, chat with the teams and see the sky turn into a spectacle of color and lightness.
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Highlight: Night Glow in Ponte de Sor
The Night Glow, one of the most anticipated moments of the festival, will take place in Ponte de Sor on Saturday, 8 November, at 7:15 p.m. The show combines music and light, turning the balloons into giant, colorful lanterns in a magical setting that is sure to delight young and old alike.
Flight experiences for everyone
In addition to free flights, the program includes Tethered Balloon Flights, a unique opportunity for children aged 6 and over and adults to experience the sensation of rising in a hot air balloon, safely and under control.
Registration and access to the Solidarity Wristbands and Tethered Balloon Flights remain available at www.fibaq.com
The activities are subject to weather conditions and always have the approval of the festival’s technical management, ensuring the total safety of participants and spectators.
Official Program 2025
8 November – Ponte de Sor
07:00 – Morning Flight | 09:30 – Tethered Flight | 14:30 – Afternoon Flight | 19:15 – Night Glow
9 November – Montargil
07:00 – Morning Flight | 09:30 – Tethered Flight | 14:30 – Afternoon Flight
10 November – Abreu Callado Foundation
07:30 – Morning Flight | 09:30 – Tethered Flight
11 November – Alter do Chão
07:00 – Morning Flight | 09:30 – Tethered Flight | 14:30 – Afternoon Flight
12 November – Monforte
07:00 – Morning Flight | 09:30 – Tethered Flight | 14:30 – Afternoon Flight
13 November – Fronteira
07:00 – Morning Flight | 09:30 – Tethered Flight | 14:30 – Afternoon Flight
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Official statements
“Reaching the 28th edition of FIBAQ is proof of the strength of a project that was born in Alentejo and grew into an international event”, says Aníbal Soares, managing partner of Publibalão.
“The involvement of the municipalities, the enthusiasm of the teams and the response from the public show that ballooning is already part of our region’s identity.”
Publibalão is responsible for the overall organization of the event, in co-organization with Alentejo sem Fronteiras – Ballooning Club, founded in 2012 and recognized as the first and only national school for hot air balloon pilots, based in Fronteira, in Alto Alentejo.
Free flights and tethered balloon flights: what is the difference?
Free flights
They offer a true journey across the Alentejo skies, taking off from one place and landing in another. Each flight lasts up to 1 hour (total activity of around 4 hours).
👉 Access is through the purchase of Solidarity Wristbands, available at www.fibaq.com.
Tethered balloon flights:
An experience in which the balloon is fixed to the ground, rising only a few meters and descending at the same point, lasting approximately 5 minutes per ascent.
👉 Registration is now open and available at www.fibaq.com.
Both experiences have separate registrations, limited to the capacity of the participating balloons. All activities depend on weather conditions and are only carried out with the approval of the festival’s technical management, ensuring total safety.
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How to fly
True to its essence, the festival maintains its charitable nature, allocating the amount raised through the Solidarity Wristbands and tethered balloon flights to local institutions and associations, including the Volunteer Fire Departments of the participating municipalities.
“FIBAQ is an example of how ballooning can bring communities together and turn solidarity into movement”, says Aníbal Soares.
“Every flight, every wristband and every tethered flight helps support those who need it most — and that is what makes this festival truly special.”
The Solidarity Wristbands have a donation value of €99 per person on weekends and €75 during the week.
The Tethered Balloon Flights will have a symbolic price of €7 per person.
Before registering, we recommend reading the Terms & Conditions of the event (HERE! and HERE!), which detail all information about the activities and participation rules.
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About the International Hot Air Balloon Festival
Created in 1997, FIBAQ is organized annually by Publibalão and, for the 12th consecutive year, co-organized by Alentejo sem Fronteiras – Ballooning Club.
After 27 successful editions, the festival has established itself as one of the largest and most emblematic ballooning events in Europe, bringing together dozens of international teams and thousands of visitors.
The event’s mission is to promote ballooning in Portugal, encourage technical and cultural exchange between pilots and involve local communities, highlighting the region and sustainability.
🌐 Official website: www.fibaq.com
📱 Facebook: festivalibaq
📸 Instagram: @festival.ibaq
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About Publibalão
Founded in 1994, Publibalão was the first Portuguese company to operate professionally in ballooning.
With more than 4,000 flights carried out in Portugal and abroad, it is dedicated to organizing events, tourist flights, training and competitions, and is also the promoter of FIBAQ and the Iberian Ballooning Championship.
Its founder and CEO, Aníbal Soares, is a two-time winner of the Portuguese Cup, with several Crossings of Portugal and one Iberian Crossing to his name.
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About Alentejo sem Fronteiras – Ballooning Club
The Alentejo sem Fronteiras – Ballooning Club was founded in November 2012 and is the only Portuguese school certified to train hot air balloon pilots, based in Fronteira.
Besides training, the club promotes advanced training camps, public outreach activities and projects to promote the sport, bringing the public closer to the experience of flying and demystifying its complexity.
For photos and videos from all editions of the International Hot Air Balloon Festival, HERE!
