Canberra balloon spectacular

Each Autumn the skies above Canberra are filled with hot air balloons in the most glorious shapes, sizes and colours. The Canberra Balloon Spectacular (previously known as the Canberra Balloon Festival) has been delighting spectators since 1988. Planned as a one-off event to celebrate Canberra's 75th anniversary, it continued due to popular demand. It is now held in conjunction with the Enlighten Festival.

Many of the balloons are brought to Australia by international teams from as far as Poland, Russia, India, the USA and other countries. This year balloons will launch from the Patrick White Lawns adjacent to the National Library of Australia. Entry is free but registration is required to attend. It is the only such event in the world, held in the centre of a major city, where balloons are able to fly so close to government buildings. The event is weather dependent but if high winds prevent launch on a particular day there are catering facilities offering food and refreshments, and usually a few balloons are inflated for crowds to enjoy a close up view. Balloon rides are also available.

There are many vantage points around the city to enjoy the balloons in flight, but if you have a boat, Lake Burley Griffin is hard to beat.

The Canberra Balloon Spectacular is on from 6-14 March 2021. Balloons inflate from 6.15am, weather permitting. Want to go in a balloon? Just click on the Balloon Aloft ad and make a booking.

Please Note: Bookings can only be made for the Canberra Balloon Spectacular by calling Balloon Aloft direct on 02 6249 8660, the current online system takes regular bookings only.

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skyfire

Skyfire is an annual fireworks and aerobatics display sponsored by local radio station Hit104.7 and others. Its been running since 1989 and can attract in excess of 100,000 spectators. The fireworks are synchronized to music broadcast via the radio station, and provide a spectacular display over Lake Burley Griffin's central basin.

Over recent years there has been the introduction of aerobatic displays by the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force before the fireworks. Live music, food stalls and entertainment with plenty of vantage points on both sides of the lake make it a great event for the whole family. However, due to Covid-19 the event was postponed in March 2020 and, as reported in this Canberra Times article the 2021 Skyfire event has also been cancelled due to the pandemic. It could be some years before it returns.