For those who fancy a fun day in the park, the Kazakhstan International Balloon Festival will shortly take place.
This hot air balloon fiesta bills itself as a complete festival, and the organisers’ plans for the weekend event tick all the boxes; not only the balloons, but also music and family entertainment – and much much more.
It’s not a new thing, either, as the event dates back to 2017. Back then, 20,000 visitors witnessed the spectacle behind the Almaty Arena, with the subsequent Qonaev Balloon Festival inviting 80,000 to that very town in 2023.
More than 30 balloons from 12 countries will fly near Almaty on June 6 and 7, offering free flights and tethered balloon rides, all manned by experienced professional pilots putting safety first at all times. They will observe all aviation regulations and pay strict attention to weather reports.
For an hour, guests will experience a feeling of height and freedom, not to mention witness the views across Almaty and its towering peaks, with the endless steppe, breathtaking in its own way, dominating the horizon opposite the colourful city.
Not everybody wants to rise into the sky, but 6 & 7 June isn’t solely for the more intrepid, and the sky won’t only be full of Montgolfiers. Dozens of kites will dance and soar up to 15 metres high, each one a performance in itself.
Add to this motorised hang gliders, and there’ll be a lot going on above your heads if you head to the Equestrian Club and Racetrack along the Upper Kaskelen Highway on the first weekend of June for this summer open-air fiesta, and regulated international aviation event, supported by the Almaty Region Akimat (Regional Council).
According to the festival’s Creative Producer, Natalia Rastoropnova:
“This is all about experiencing freedom and exhilaration, not just local people but our many visitors, too.
“We take safety very seriously, and we took time to listen to the views of those who came to previous events. We are so keen for this to be a special day and become a lasting memory for everybody.”
As Natalia said, safety is a priority, and nothing will be left to chance, right from their preparation to the contingency plan. Emergency medical teams, firefighters, and police officers will be on duty around the clock.
Guests can enjoy the weekend without even looking up once, as the on-ground entertainment promises to be good, too, with interactive zones, camping, food courts, and concerts featuring headliners including Dos-Mukasan, Miras Zhugunussov, and DJ King Macarella. For families, a children’s area with workshops, trampolines, and entertainers will be available.
Lasting memories are likely to happen spontaneously, but for those who have bigger plans in mind, where better to propose to a partner than in the air, wink-wink? In this case, best let the organisers know via their social media channels.
And let’s not exclude the thoughts of Alexander Rusinov, President of the Kazakhstan Aeronautics Federation, who believes that the festival plays a vital role in developing the aeronautics culture in the country.
“For our country, this is more than just entertainment. It shows that aeronautics can help attract more tourists, plus enhance the leisure experience for those who live here. We have enormous potential for hosting international hot air balloon events, and interest is growing year on year.”
Tickets for the Kazakhstan International Balloon Festival are now on sale via this link. Shuttle buses will depart from the intersection of Abay and Baitursynov Streets, with parking and camping facilities also available. Children under 5 are admitted free.