ALMATY, Kazakhstan — Kazakhstan hosted its first international hot air balloon festival in two years on June 6–7, drawing pilots from more than a dozen countries and thousands of spectators to the foothills near Almaty, organizers and local tourism officials said.
The event, known as the Qazaqstan International Balloon Festival, took place near the city of Kaskelen in the Almaty region and marked the return of one of the country’s largest ballooning gatherings after a two-year hiatus. Organizers said the festival featured 29 hot air balloons and crews from countries including Kazakhstan, Germany, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Uzbekistan and several other nations.
According to organizers, the festival was suspended in 2024 after severe flooding affected parts of Kazakhstan, disrupting plans for international aviation and tourism events. The 2026 edition was organized with support from regional authorities and tourism officials seeking to promote the Almaty region as an outdoor and adventure-travel destination.
Visitors gathered over the two-day event to watch mass balloon launches above the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. The program also included tethered balloon rides, passenger flights, concerts, kite displays and family entertainment activities. Organizers had projected attendance of tens of thousands of visitors.
“This is all about experiencing freedom and exhilaration, not just local people but our many visitors, too,” festival creative producer Natalia Rastoropnova said in comments published before the event. She added that organizers had incorporated feedback from previous editions while maintaining aviation safety standards.
Regional tourism officials said preparations for the festival began months in advance. Kuanyshbek Mirambekuly, head of the Almaty region’s tourism department, said international balloon festivals had previously been held in the area and remained an important attraction for domestic and foreign visitors.
Preliminary estimates released by organizers indicated that more than 30,000 people attended the festival over the weekend, although independent verification of attendance figures was not immediately available. Festival officials said 29 balloon crews participated in the event.
The return of the festival comes as Kazakhstan continues efforts to expand tourism and international cultural events. Local authorities have promoted the Almaty region’s mountain landscapes, outdoor recreation opportunities and aviation-themed attractions as part of broader tourism development plans.
As of Thursday, organizers described the 2026 event as the third edition of the Qazaqstan International Balloon Festival and said they hoped to continue holding the gathering on a regular basis. Details regarding future editions have not yet been announced.
