2025 Taiwan International Balloon Festival

The Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival, officially known as the Taiwan International Balloon Festival, is a fascinating annual event held in Taitung. It is an annual summer event held in Luye Highland, Taitung County, Taiwan. Since its inception in 2011, the festival has grown into one of Asia’s premier hot air balloon festivals, attracting visitors from around the world.

Tethered and Untethered Balloon Rides

Visitors can experience the thrill of hot air ballooning with tethered rides offering panoramic views of the lush landscapes, while untethered flights provide a more adventurous experience over the valley.

Night Glow Concerts

These evening events feature hot air balloons illuminated in synchrony with music and pyrotechnics, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Notably, the 2025 festival plans to include drone light shows, setting a new record for the largest hot air balloon and drone-formation performance.

Thematic Balloon Displays

The festival showcases a variety of uniquely shaped balloons, including characters like Hello Kitty, local wildlife, and cultural symbols, offering a colorful and diverse visual experience.

Cultural Integration

The event emphasizes the fusion of international icons with local culture, as seen in collaborations such as the Hello Kitty balloon adorned in traditional Bunun attire, symbolizing the harmonious blend of global and indigenous elements.

Taiwan International Balloon Festival (Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival)

Dates: The 2025 Taiwan International Balloon Festival is scheduled from July 5 to August 21.

Activities: Daily balloon flights occur during early mornings and late afternoons, with special events like Night Glow Concerts held on select evenings throughout the festival period.

Location: Luye Highland, Taitung County, Taiwan. This expansive plateau offers ideal conditions for ballooning, surrounded by picturesque mountains and lush greenery.

Why Attend?
The Taiwan International Balloon Festival offers a unique blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you’re soaring above the East Rift Valley in a hot air balloon or enjoying the vibrant Night Glow Concerts, the festival provides unforgettable experiences for all ages. It’s a celebration of both human ingenuity and the breathtaking landscapes of Taiwan.

Event Schedule

(1) 7/05 (Sat.) 05：30 ~ Luye Highland(thousands of balls flying)

(2) 7/06 (Sun.) 19：00 ~ Luye Highland(Opening Ceremony) ~ (Hot air balloon light sculpture FEAT drones + fireworks)

(3) 7/10 (Thu.) 04：00 ~ Taimali Shuguang Park

(4) 7/17 (Thu.) 19：00 ~ Luye Highland ~ (Hot air balloon light sculpture FEAT drones + fireworks)

(5) 7/24 (Thu.) 19：00 ~ Chihshang Township Dapo Pond ~ (Hot air balloon light sculpture + fireworks)

(6) 7/31 (Thu.) 19：00 ~ Luye Highland ~ (Hot air balloon light sculpture FEAT drones)

(7) 8/07 (Thu.) 19：00 ~ Taitung International Landmark ~ (Hot air balloon light sculpture FEAT drones + fireworks)

(8) 8/14 (Thu.) 19：00 ~ Luye Highland ~ (Hot air balloon light sculpture FEAT drones + fireworks)

(9) 8/21 (Thu.) 19：00 ~ Luye Highlan(Closing Ceremony) ~ (Hot air balloon light sculpture FEAT drones + fireworks)

Price

Cost: Free Entrance

If you just want to go to Taitung Hot Air Balloon Carnival to enjoy the hot air balloons, you don’t need to book a ticket. If you want to experience the tethered hot air balloon experience, you need to buy a ticket.

★ Note: Show times and schedules are subject to updates from the government. Pease check their official website before you go. If it is raining or windy, the hot air balloon will not fly and the balloon ride may be cancelled.

2025 Tethered or Untethered Balloon Experiences

Untethered Balloon Ride

Untethered balloon ride: Usually from 05:00 to 07:00
Ticketing website: Klook (English/Mandarin)
Price: NT$10000 (US$ 307.65)
Duration: about 1~2 hours (depending on the weather and coach arrangement)

Take in the incredible surroundings of Taitung from high in the sky
Get a bird’s eye view over the Luliao River and Beinan River
Enjoy amazing views of the stunning rift valley and lush tea plantations surrounding Taitung
Land back safely on the ground and be met with a celebratory glass of Champagne
Receive a certificate for your efforts and take the memory home with you to keep forever

Tethered balloon ride

Balloon Ride Times
Morning: 05:30 – 07:00
Afternoon: 17:00 – 18:30

Check-in Times:
Morning: 05:00 – 06:00
Afternoon: 16:30 – 17:30
Each balloon ride lasts approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

2024 Price
Weekdays: $550 per person
Fridays and weekends: $650 per person

2025 Tethered reservation time: Not yet announced, online reservations will be open in mid-May 2025.

The tethered experience allows people to experience the joy of hot air balloon flight in a safe state. The hot air balloon will be fixed with ropes and can be raised and lowered to a maximum altitude of 60 meters. In 2024, 80 experience seats will be open for each session on weekdays and 100 experience seats will be open for each session on holidays.

For more details please visit the reservation website
https://balloontaiwan.taitung.gov.tw/

How to get to?

Transportation: Shuttle buses operate between Taitung City and Luye Highland, providing convenient access for visitors. The Taitung Hot Air Balloon Festival has shuttle buses every year, mainly departing from the Taitung Transfer Station, passing through the Taitung Railway Station, and then to the Luye Highland.

The actual timetable for 2025 has not yet been announced