Calling All Hot Air Balloon Lovers!
The Chiang Rai International Hot Air Balloon Festival 2024 is the event of the year to experience giant balloons up close in Thailand.
This annual event is held every February in Chiang Rai, Thailand a few hours northeast of Chiang Mai and it’s no small thing.
The Chiang Rai International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta lasts for 4 days! It’s more like a festival than anything else with food stalls, beer gardens, competitions, and live entertainment.
Come out to experience this special event and make some incredible memories.
2024 dates are February 14th-18th all day and well into the night
What To Expect At The Chiang Rai International Hot Air Balloon Festival 2023?
This will be the 6th International Balloon Festival at ‘Singha Park Chiang Rai International Balloon Fiesta. This 4 day long event will feature more than 35 balloons. Each balloon represents different shapes and designs, with each aeronaut (pilot) and their team competing in various daily competitions to win the ultimate prize!
Held in the enormous Singha Park in Chiang Rai, you are welcome to come for the day with entertainment going well into the night with live music performances and special balloon shows at night.
There will be food stalls set up along with beer gardens serving one of Thailand’s best local beers; Singha!
Thousands of tourists and balloon fans show up each year for this very special event. It’s actually one of the most popular ways to spend Valentine’s Day near Chiang Mai. Many couples get married here or take romantic couple photos throughout the festival.
Find A Place To Stay In Chiang Rai
Due to the hot air balloon festival’s popularity, it is best to book your local stay in advance. Check out Agoda to see what’s available!
The Hot Air Balloon Flying Competition
Every late afternoon, the balloon pilots will perform spectacular balloon shows while competing in games over the lake in Singha Park. Join the thousands cheering on the balloons as the pilots compete for daily prizes of 400 USD up to the grand prize of 4,200 USD for the winner.
The Night Glow Show
Each night there will be a unique Balloon Night Glow show. It is one of the most popular events offered at Singha Park and will be performed every evening for half an hour at a time.
Enjoy a Concert From Local Talent
Each night different performers will take to the stage. The music will be loud and people will perform until about midnight. There will be drinks and food for sale along with tables to sit at, although those are first come, first serve.
If you have little ones, make sure to bring ear plugs to protect their ears. The music will be LOUD.
The Hot Air Balloon Tethering Show
There will also be a concert performed every night with performances sponsored by Singha. During the concert, balloon tethering will be performed every night for two hours. Expect to see 6 specially chosen balloon performances alongside the entertainment!
Take A Hot Air Balloon Ride!
Of course the thing you’re most wondering about is whether you can actually take a ride in one of the hot air balloons – YES you can! It will be an incredibly popular activity during the Chiang Rai Balloon Festival, so we would suggest getting there really early, or even booking for the next day or two ahead. It’s best to meet with the pilot first and see the grounds and find out the price. Prices are not publicly available yet, and will likely be set at the event.
If you don’t get the opportunity to ride in a balloon in Chiang Rai, not to worry as there are other opportunities right here in Chiang Mai to ride in a hot air balloon.
Check Out Hot Air Balloon Adventure
This is the full package the comes with hotel transfers, food, an hour long balloon ride and even a special champagne treat at the end.
Tethered Hot Air Balloon Rides
If floating into the sky is a bit too much for you, then this tethered balloon ride is a perfect choice. You’ll remain tied to mother earth but will still enjoy the amazing views from above the ground.
Other Hot Air Balloon Festivals To Check Out
For travelling families or those from or in the United States, the International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque New Mexico, is another very well-known hot air balloon festival. Definitely check it out if you are in that neck of the woods.
Festival dates: February 14-18, 2024
Good for ages: all ages
Phone: 089 685 1188
Wheelchair or stroller accessible: Partial
Entrance fee: 150 baht per person
Website: http://chiangraiballoonfiesta.com/
Location: Google Maps
