The European Balloon Festival is the largest hot air balloon festival in Spain, and one of the largest in Europe. It takes place every year during the first fortnight of July in Igualada, Catalonia, Spain, a city located within 60 km from Barcelona.
The festival lasts four days and attracts thousands of spectators. It includes a hot air balloon competition and recreational exhibitions such as a night glow and fireworks. The flights take place early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when weather conditions are the optimal ones.
It also offers visitors the opportunity to fly on a balloon, by booking a flight in advance.It’s the largest of its kind in Spain and one of the biggest balloon gatherings in Europe; thousands of spectators come to see the more than 50 balloons that arrive from around the world. However, they’re not just there to be admired; there’s also a competitive part, one of which includes balloons taking off from various points across Igualada, and another that sees them start at a given place just outside town with the aim of landing on a specific point.
The festival is organized by the Igualada City Council, with technical support from the company Ultramagic, the world’s second largest manufacturer of hot air balloons, and Kon-Tiki Balloon Flights, a company specialized in balloon flights.The first festival was held in 1997 and since then has been organized every year. For some years it was held together with the Aerosport airshow, which in 2008 was moved to April or May of every year.