The international hot air balloon festival runs from 25 January to 2 February 2020 in the picturesque pre-Alpine town of Chateau d’Oex in Vaud, Switzerland. This year is the event’s 42nd anniversary.
![International hot air balloon festival takes to the sky in Swiss Alps 2020](https://i0.wp.com/lenews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Balloon-festival_©_Pays-dEnhaut-Région_1-1.jpg?fit=533%2C400&ssl=1)
The festival, which is spread over 9 days spanning two weekends brings together pilots from around the world with around a hundred hot air balloons. There is a night-time show, hot air balloon rides and a kids’ day. Wednesday afternoon, 29 January is dedicated to children.
![Chateau d'Oex balloon_Facebook_Pays-d'Enhaut Tourisme_© D. Schrekling](https://i2.wp.com/lenews.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Chateau-dOex-balloon_Facebook_Pays-dEnhaut-Tourisme_%C2%A9-D.-Schrekling_1.jpg?resize=800%2C534)
Chateau d’Oex has a winter microclimate particularly suited to flying hot air balloons.
It is also the departure point of the Breitling Orbiter, a balloon that was the first to circumnavigate the globe in 1999. Piloted by Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones, the balloon bet Richard Branson to the prize – he had tried and failed. Piccard is known for his solar-powered flight around the planet, completed in 2016.
This year the night time light display will be on Friday 31 January.
Dates: 25 January to 2 February 2020
Location
Tickets: Saturday and Sunday: CHF 15 (free if under 16), Wednesday afternoon: CHF 5 (free is under 16) – more on prices.
Event website
Programme (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now
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