The 46th International Hot Air Balloon Festival - le 46ème Festival International de Ballons - Château-d’Œx, Switzerland - January 24th-31st, 2026

 The Event is already history, time for some pictures 

THANK YOU FOR THIS 46TH EDITION

See you from January 23 to 31, 2027

For almost 50 years, Château-d’Œx has brought the Alpine sky to life with hot air balloons from around the world.

 Balloon flights, sporting competitions and the Children’s Day shape the nine days of the International Hot Air Balloon Festival of Château-d’Oex, a unique event where dreams, spectacle and tradition come together.

A 2026 edition with record-breaking highlights!

With 7 flying days out of 9, unexpectedly favourable weather conditions and more than 45,000 visitors, the 46th edition of the International Hot Air Balloon Festival of Château-d’Oex exceeded all expectations.

A heartfelt thank you to the pilots, volunteers, partners and to the public for making this magical week possible.

Eagles, Bearded vulture and mountain goats (and probably some ibex) where visible too

High-flying numbers

More than 45,000 visitors

382 balloon flights

A total of 530 hours in the air

640 passengers transported

1,057 children experienced their first tethered balloon flight

The 46th International Hot Air Balloon Festival - le 46ème Festival International de Ballons - Château-d’Œx, Switzerland - January 24th-31st, 2026

Already received the press kit - time to inform interested visitors to this spectacle !

With a lot of spectacular forms - this time some Alien balloons from the UK, a lot of colors on ground and in the skies, interesting games for the crews and all this in the beautiful mountain area of Pays-d’Enhaut near Gstaad mountain resort, this event is an must if you are in the area of western switzerland. On weekends direct trains from Palézieux station (Bern-Fribourg-Lausanne).

FIB2023 - Festival Internationale des ballons, Château d'Oex

Like every year since some time, end of January is Balloon time - near Gstaad. Enjoy and visit 

https://www.festivaldeballons.ch

 

Aviateurs suisses - new film by Lionel Charlet

Lionel Charlet makes very nice films and I specially like his style with some monumental glimpses of mother nature in and inbetween the pictures.

Take your seat and popcorn - and enjoy 👍

https://vimeo.com/412351845

January picture in the Aero-Revue calendar

Switzerland's Aero-Club official publication has chosen two pictures by me for there calendar 2019 - enjoy ;)

http://www.aeroclub.ch

This month's picture taken at balloon festival Chateau d'Oex, 2019 edition january 26th 'till february 03 !

40éme Festival International de Ballons, Château d'Oex 2018 #FIB

With more than 70 Balloons out of 15 different countries, the 40th International Ballooning Week in Château d'Oex is another successful event already. The Festival will end on 04th of february.

Official Homepage

39ème Festival International de Ballons, Château-d'Oex (CH)

The Festival International de Ballons in Château-d'Oex is a must-do if you love balloons, or mountains, or helicopters, or nice sceneries. Here you will find your jackpot ;)

Situated near Gstaad, this mountain resort is easy accessible by train, aircraft and car and a mekka in balloon language. #FIBC2017

Official site: http://www.chateau-doex.ch/de/Z4237

Special guest this year was the winner of Gordon Bennet Cup - this year departing in the area ;)
http://gordonbennett2017.ch

small video: