3rd Qatar Balloon Festival; special surprises await local and international visitors

The 3rd Qatar Balloon Festival is scheduled to take place from January 19 to 28 at a new venue at Old Doha Port, featuring hot air balloons that will illuminate the night sky. Special surprises also await local and international visitors coming for the event. Music and live performances are among the entertainment options available during the 10-day festival, aside from a vast array of international cuisines available at food kiosks, inflatable toys for kids, a new feature have been added this year – display of huge kites which will be illuminated in the evening.

Hassan Al Mousawi, CEO of Safe Flight Solutions, the organiser of the festival explained that the kites that will be flown at night “will be illuminated and it will be very nice and interesting to watch.” Around 4,000 to 5,000 people are expected to attend daily during the course of the 10-day festival. Besides, there are cruise ships that are coming and typically they have 3,000 people who are getting on and off the cruise ship, so this is a good opportunity for international visitors who are coming here to see the display of the balloons.

Mohammed Abdulla Al Mulla, Old Doha Port Executive Director, said: “We are pleased to host the balloon festival this year at Old Doha Port and it is the first official event after the 2022 FIFA World Cup tournament.”

“Allocated an area nearby the terminal, the festival will offer cruise passengers an amazing view of the colourful balloons as they come-in and out of the terminal heading towards the other port components such as Mina District and the Container Yard.”

As part of the programme yesterday, two hot air balloons were inflated which drew attention of visiting guests at the Port. Qatar Tourism Head of Marketing and Planning, Sheikha Hessa Al Thani, said: “The hot air balloon festival is a family favourite and we’re pleased to bring it back this year as the opening event to the incredible line-up of events we have in store this season as part of Qatar Tourism’s ‘Feel Winter in Qatar’ campaign.”

For those seeking a thrilling adventure, the public can avail a hot air balloon flight for a reduced price of QR499, which can be purchased via the festival’s website, qatarballoonfestival.com or at the festival’s exclusive partner asfary.com. The 30 to 45-minute flight is available during morning, from this month until March.

The 3rd Qatar Balloon Festival will be held at Old Doha Port, external green area, behind the Grand Terminal. Activities start from 4pm until 9pm, while the food kiosks and activities for children will run until 11pm.