Ballonwoche Flims Hot-Air Balloon Festival 2024 in Switzerland

The Ballonwoche Flims is a family-friendly annual fall event that takes place from the end of September through early October. Ballonclub Flims organizes the International Alpine Balloon Week, uniting pilots, sponsors, residents of the town, and thousands of international visitors. The Ballonwoche Flims is about spectacular balloon rides, quality family time, and fantastic nature. You’ll be able to take awesome photos and also enjoy crystal-clear mountain lakes, rugged gorges, mountain forests, and rock faces.

Schedule of Events

Special-shaped balloon events are scheduled throughout the week. On Wednesday, it's a children's afternoon, and tethered balloon ascents are offered. Traditionally, the colorful Night Glow event with music takes place on Tuesday or Thursday evenings at approximately 9 p.m. All balloon events might be canceled or rescheduled due to bad weather conditions.

Activities

Apart from the magical air balloon rides, the festival offers food&beberages stands, live music, and gelateria, usually on Wednesday and both weekends, the regulars' table evening on Saturday, and the 6-hand dinner on Wednesday evening, followed by the jazz and blues night. Last year, the live band "Solottobre" performed on both weekends and featured the special act "Die Kuh Blüemli." On Wednesday afternoon, the festival grounds are filled with the joyful laughter of children as they participate in games and sports.

History of the festival

50 Years of Balloon Week Flims was an impressive anniversary celebrated in 2023, considering that 50 years ago, the history of hot air balloons in Switzerland was still very young! Nevertheless, even back then, some pioneers dared to take off from Flims for the first balloon rides. The first Flims balloon, HB-BEX, debuted in 1976, followed by two more adorned with the Flims logo. Since their debut in 2003, the diverse crew has cherished the eventful days in Flims, where some members first experienced balloon flights or school trips and are now passionate pilots themselves.