All set for Qatar Balloon Festival

More than 50 hot air balloons will soar across the skies of Doha from Thursday until January 28 to mark the third edition of Qatar Balloon Festival, taking place at the Old Doha Port’s external green area (behind the Grand Cruise Terminal).
The 10-day festival is expected to draw 4,000-5,000 visitors daily, who will have the chance to witness a one-of-its-kind spectacle, featuring balloons of varying shapes, sizes and designs, according to the organisers.
Like the event’s second edition, the organisers noted that the latest version of the festival will feature “sunrise balloon launches” for people to see and enjoy either from their homes or while commuting.
The event’s website says visitors, who may be having their snacks or playing in a gaming zone, will also have “the opportunity to see a hot air balloon professionally tethered and anchored to the ground while floating just above you”.
At night, people can revel while watching “illuminated balloons stacked next to each other ... in perfect rhythm accompanied by the festival’s musical events from the main stage, creating a lovely vibrant atmosphere and an experience like no other”.
The festivities include dance and music shows with a variety of performers, bands, DJs and singers, in addition to magic shows, mascots and jugglers, among others, aimed at providing unique entertainment and enhancing “the overall festival experience for visitors”.
Among the participants are balloonists from Qatar, the Czech Republic, Belgium, France, Poland, Italy, Lithuania, Macedonia, Slovenia, Norway, Slovakia, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, Brazil, the US, Germany, and Hungary.
Apart from hot air balloons, the event offers an array of games and attractions for children at a special arena, which will host carnival and team games, human football, football darts, VR and other electronic games, themed jumping houses, and slides.
A wide range of cuisines offered by several kiosks and food trucks spread across the venue await foodies at the festival, which forms part of Qatar Tourism’s “Feel Winter in Qatar” campaign.