The Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta was founded in 2009 to boost the tourism in the region. The main organizer of the festival was and still is AKA Balloon, Malaysia’s first hot air balloon company. The first festival lasted for 4 days and featured 18 balloons including 2 special shape balloons and 1 tethered balloon. It attracted 150,000 attendees and was a definite success.
Over the years, the festival has grown considerably, both in scale and attendance. Following the 2016 edition it was moved to Kuala Lumpur to accommodate the growing popularity and officially renamed My Balloon Fiesta (sometimes stylized as MyBalloonFiesta). The festival hosts an assortment of exciting events and activities for all ages.
What does My Balloon Fiesta have to offer? The heart of the event is the hot air balloon show featuring balloons in all shapes and sizes. Mass ascensions happen twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, weather permitting.
Another highlight of the festival is the spectacular Night Glow. As the sun goes down and it becomes dark, the pilots ignite the burners in their tethered balloons. The balloons transform into giant light bulbs that light up the night sky to the sound of music. The event is followed by a firework display and a DJ performance.
Other balloon-related activities at the festival include tethered balloon rides and cold inflation. The latter is a chance to walk inside a gigantic balloon for three minutes.
There’s also an assortment of attractions not related to balloons. They include orb ball games and competitions, inflatable trampolines, inflatable playgrounds, paddle boats, bungee trampolines, reverse bungees, archery, wall climbing, yoga and zumba sessions, a cultural village, horse rides, and more. In case the attendees get hungry or thirsty, there are food vendors & trucks as well as daily breakfast by the lake for early birds.
My Balloon Fiesta is a free event, but there are charges for some activities.
Photo: myballoonfiesta.com
