PROGRAM FOR THE 2026 EDITION
Every day is a new adventure! Between the opening weekend, the competitions and the passenger flights, discover the programme of the 9 days of the festival.
Open daily at 8:30 a.m.
Our advice during the festival :
Come at 9:00 a.m. for a unique and magical experience! At that time of day, the launch site turns into a hive of activity. And the show begins as soon as the burners are fired up. On the ground, watch the pilots busily inflating their colorful envelopes, then watch them take flight like soap bubbles.
Saturday, January 24, 2026
9:00
AM
AM
- Preparation, inflation, and release of balloons*
- Opening of bars and food trucks
9:30
AM
AM
- Passengerballoon flights*
- Captive flights* for children aged 5 to 12 (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.), CHF 10
- Competitions for pilots*
09.30
- Vols passagers en ballon*
- Vols captifs* pour les enfants de 5 à 12 ans (9h30-12h00), CHF 10.–
- Compétitions pour les pilotes*
From
9:30
AM
9:30
AM
- Crafts for children with the Festival au Pays des Enfants (FAPE) and Ballons Pirates
- Face painting for children
- Balloon Rally in the village of Château-d'Œx (starting in front of the Zenith (FAPE stand) and finishing at the Espace Ballon)
- Souvenir photo in a real balloon basket
- Discover life in the mountain pastures in Virtual Reality with L'Etivaz AOP
11:00
AM
AM
Official opening ceremony of the 46th edition of the Festival
Inauguration of the new Château-d'Œx HB-BBI balloon
From
11:00
AM
11:00
AM
- Inflation and flight of special shapes*
- Hot air balloon*
- Mini-balloon flights*
- Demonstration of Sky Charriots and Cloudhoppers*
1:30
PM
PM
Air show
- Extra 330 LX aerobatic aircraft*
From
2:30
PM
2:30
PM
- Dome of Flight* - Step inside a real hot air balloon envelope inflated on the ground.
- Flights of stuffed animals in mini balloons* (to be confirmed)
3:00
PM
PM
- Passengerballoon flights*
4:00
PM
PM
Aerial acrobatic show
A spectacular show between heaven and earth, combining acrobatics, balance and aerial silks.
On the village square in Château-d'Œx*
*Subject to good weather conditions.
Sunday, January 25, 2026
9:00
AM
AM
- Preparation, inflation, and release of balloons*
- Opening of bars and food trucks
9:30
AM
AM
- Passengerballoon flights*
- Captive flights* for children aged 5 to 12 (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.), CHF 10
- Competitions for pilots*
From
9:30
AM
9:30
AM
- Crafts for children with the Festival au Pays des Enfants (FAPE) and Ballons Pirates
- Face painting for children
- Balloon Rally in the village of Château-d'Œx (starting in front of the Zenith (FAPE stand) and finishing at the Espace Ballon)
- Souvenir photo in a real balloon basket
- Discover life in the mountain pastures in Virtual Reality with L'Etivaz AOP
11:15
AM
AM
- Friendship Flight Bristol (UK), St-Niklaas (Belgium), Romorantin (France), and Château-d'OEx
From
11:00
AM
11:00
AM
- Inflation and flight of special shapes*
- Hot air balloon*
- Mini-balloon flights*
- Demonstration of Sky Charriots and Cloudhoppers*
1:30
PM
PM
Air show
- Extra 330 LX aerobatic aircraft*
From
2:30
PM
2:30
PM
- Dome of Flight*- Step inside a real hot air balloon envelope inflated on the ground.
- Flights of stuffed animals in mini balloons* (to be confirmed)
3:00
PM
PM
- Passengerballoon flights*
*Subject to favorable weather conditions.
Monday, January 26, 2026
9:30
AM
AM
- Preparation, inflation, and release of balloons*
- Opening of bars and food trucks
From
9:30
9:30
- Lantern making with Ballons Pirates (only for groups and schools, by reservation)
- Balloon Rally in the village of Château-d'Œx (starting in front of the Zenith (FAPE stand) and finishing at the Espace Ballon)
- Souvenir photo in a real balloon basket
- Visit to Espace Ballon
10:00
AM
AM
- Passengerballoon flights*
- Competitions for pilots*
3:00
PM
PM
- Passengerballoon flights*
*Subject to favorable weather conditions.
Tuesday, January 27, 2026
9:30
AM
AM
- Preparation, inflation, and release of balloons*
- Opening of bars and food trucks
From
9:30
AM
9:30
AM
- Lantern making with Ballons Pirates (only for groups and schools, by reservation)
- Balloon Rally in the village of Château-d'Œx (starting in front of the Zenith (FAPE stand) and finishing at the Espace Ballon)
- Souvenir photo in a real balloon basket
- Visit to Espace Ballon
10:00
AM
AM
- Passengerballoon flights*
- Competitions for pilots*
3:00
PM
PM
- Passengerballoon flights*
*Subject to favorable weather conditions.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
9:30
AM
AM
- Preparation, inflation, and release of balloons*
- Opening of bars and food trucks
From
9:30
AM
9:30
AM
- Lantern making with Ballons Pirates (only for groups and schools, by reservation)
- Balloon Rally in the village of Château-d'Œx (starting in front of the Zenith (FAPE stand) and finishing at the Espace Ballon)
- Souvenir photo in a real balloon basket
- Visit to Espace Ballon
10:00
AM
AM
- Passengerballoon flights*
- Competitions for pilots*
*Subject to favorable weather conditions.
From
1:00
PM
1:00
PM
Children's afternoon
- Captive flights* for children aged 5 to 12: CHF 10
- Flights of stuffed animals in mini balloons*
- Dome of Flight* - Step inside a real hot air balloon envelope inflated on the ground
- Crafts for children with the Festival au Pays des Enfants (FAPE) and Ballons Pirates
- Wheel of fortune and DIY workshop with Orient'Alp
- Temporary tattoos for children and Clown
- Contest: Where do the FIB balloons come from? Pick up your roadmap at the main entrance to the Festival! The draw will take place at 4 p.m. on stage in the Landi Hall (you must be present to win).
- Balloon Rally in the village of Château-d'Œx (starting in front of the Zenith (FAPE stand) and finishing at the Espace Ballon)
- Souvenir photo in a real balloon basket
- Discover life in the mountain pastures in Virtual Reality with L'Etivaz AOP
3:00
PM
PM
- Passengerballoon flights*
3:30
PM
PM
- Dances performed by the young people of Orient'Alp
Thursday, January 29, 2026
9:30
AM
AM
- Preparation, inflation, and release of balloons*
- Opening of bars and food trucks
From
9:30
AM
9:30
AM
- Lantern making with Ballons Pirates (only for groups and schools, by reservation)
- Balloon Rally in the village of Château-d'Œx (starting in front of the Zenith (FAPE stand) and finishing at the Espace Ballon)
- Souvenir photo in a real balloon basket
- Visit to Espace Ballon
10:00
AM
AM
- Passengerballoon flights*
- Competitions for pilots*
3:00
PM
PM
- Passengerballoon flights*
*Subject to favorable weather conditions.
Friday, January 30, 2026
9:30
AM
AM
- Preparation, inflation, and release of balloons*
- Opening of bars and food trucks
From
9:30
AM
9:30
AM
- Lantern making with Ballons Pirates (only for groups and schools, by reservation)
- Balloon Rally in the village of Château-d'Œx (starting in front of the Zenith (FAPE stand) and finishing at the Espace Ballon)
- Souvenir photo in a real balloon basket
- Visit to Espace Ballon
10.00
AM
AM
- Passengerballoon flights*
- Competitions for pilots*
3:00
PM
PM
- Passengerballoon flights*
9:00
PM
PM
- Flying Night - Woodparty, organized by Jeunesse des Moulins, at the Grande Salle in Château-d'Œx. Admission CHF 10. Pyjama bus for the return trip to Pays-d'Enhaut.
*Subject to favorable weather conditions.
Saturday, January 31, 2026
9:00
AM
AM
- Preparation, inflation, and release of balloons*
- Opening of bars and food trucks
9:30
AM
AM
- Passengerballoon flights*
- Captive flights* for children aged 5 to 12 (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.), CHF 10
- Competitions for pilots*
From
9:30
AM
9:30
AM
- Crafts for children with the Festival au Pays des Enfants (FAPE) and Ballons Pirates
- Face painting for children
- Balloon Rally in the village of Château-d'Œx (starting in front of the Zenith (FAPE stand) and finishing at the Espace Ballon)
- Souvenir photo in a real balloon basket
- Discover life in the mountain pastures in Virtual Reality with L'Etivaz AOP
*Subject to favorable weather conditions.
From
11.00
AM
11.00
AM
- Inflation and flight of special shapes*
- Mini-balloon flights*
- Demonstration of Sky Charriots and Cloudhoppers*
1:30
PM
PM
Air show
- Extra 330 LX aerobatic aircraft*
From
2:30
PM
2:30
PM
- Dome of Flight*- Step inside a real hot air balloon envelope inflated on the ground.
- Flights of stuffed animals in mini balloons* (to be confirmed)
3:00
PM
PM
- Passengerballoon flights*
9:00
PM
PM
- Flying Night - Woodparty, organized by Jeunesse des Moulins, at the Grande Salle in Château-d'Œx. Admission CHF 10. Pyjama bus for the return trip to Pays-d'Enhaut.
Sunday, February 1, 2026
9:00
AM
AM
- Preparation, inflation, and release of balloons*
- Opening of bars and food trucks
9:30
AM
AM
- Passengerballoon flights*
- Captive flights* for children aged 5 to 12 (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.), CHF 10
- Competitions for pilots*
From
9.30
AM
9.30
AM
- Crafts for children with the Festival au Pays des Enfants (FAPE) and Ballons Pirates
- Face painting for children
- Balloon Rally in the village of Château-d'Œx (starting in front of the Zenith (FAPE stand) and finishing at the Espace Ballon)
- Souvenir photo in a real balloon basket
- Discover life in the mountain pastures in Virtual Reality with L'Etivaz AOP
From
11:00
AM
11:00
AM
- Inflation and flight of special shapes*
- Mini-balloon flights*
- Demonstration of Sky Charriots and Cloudhoppers*
1:30
PM
PM
Air show
- Extra 330 LX aerobatic aircraft*
From
2:30
PM
2:30
PM
- Dome of Flight* - Step inside a real hot air balloon envelope inflated on the ground.
- Flights of stuffed animals in mini balloons* (to be confirmed)
3:00
PM
PM
- Passengerballoon flights*
4:30
PM
PM
- Closing of the 46th edition of the Festival
*Subject to favorable weather conditions.
ESPACE BALLON
Every day from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (special price upon presentation of your Festival ticket or pin)
PHILATeLy
Hôtel de Ville de Château-d’Oex, Grand Rue 67, 3rd floor. Week-ends : 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. / 13:30 p.m.-17:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoons: 1:30 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
CAVES DE L'ETIVAZ
Film, guided tour, and tasting, registration required, at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Important information
The use of drones is not allowed during the festival. Only media authorised in advance by the organisation may take shots with a drone. The International Balloon Festival reserves the right to prohibit all access to the airspace!
ACTIVITIES
During the 9 days of the festival, permanent activities are organised in addition to the animations!
balloon FLIGHTS
Would you like to take a balloon flight during the festival ? Passenger flights are organized each day enabling you to enjoy this unique experience !
Animation
A range of activities are organised to allow young and old alike to soak up the magical atmosphere of this unique event !
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