Festival International de Ballons de Château-d’Oex (International Hot Air Balloon Festival) is one of the world’s most picturesque aerostatic festivals, held each January in the alpine village of Château-d’Oex, Switzerland. Surrounded by snow-covered peaks, the festival brings together around 100 hot-air balloons from over 20 countries, filling the sky with a kaleidoscope of color above the Vaud Alps. Highlights include ballooning competitions, night glows, paragliding shows, and family events, all set against the stunning winter scenery. The village’s calm mountain air and ideal microclimate make it a perfect base for ballooning—a tradition dating back over 40 years. Blending adventure, artistry, and Alpine charm, the International Hot Air Balloon Festival is a truly breathtaking winter spectacle.
Planning Festival International de Ballons de Château-d’Oex? We’ll secure balloon flight slots, time dawn ascents & night glows, book viewpoint lodging, and sort weather-backup plans/transport for your dates—Book a free planning call.
DATES & TIMES
• Dates: 24 January–1 February 2026 (Saturday–Sunday).
• Confirmed next edition window announced by organisers — see Official site · Français.
• The exact timetable publishes annually — check the official Programme for daily schedules (inflations, competitions, Night Glow).
LOCATION
• Château-d’Œx, Vaud (Pays-d’Enhaut) — festival grounds by the village; organiser contact address: Place du Village 6, 1660 Château-d’Œx — Open in Google Maps.
• Access & parking guidance published on the official Access page.
TICKETS & ENTRY
• Festival entry: weekends CHF 10 (16+); Monday–Friday free; 9‑day pin CHF 25 — tickets sold on site — see Tariffs.
• Passenger flights (bookable on site/with organiser): adult CHF 350 · child (≥1.25 m) CHF 210 · private basket (max 3) CHF 1600 — details on Tariffs.
GOOD TO KNOW
• Public transport strongly recommended: GoldenPass / MOB trains serve Château-d’Œx hourly — plan via the official MOB journey planner · more routes via TPF · TPC.
• Festival info, site map and practical FAQs (including children’s day and captive flights) are on the Official site · Access page.
• The exact timetable publishes annually — consult the official Programme for final times.
Ready to pair dawn inflations with a village lunch and a blue‑sky window for Männlichen views? We’ll time it all around the official schedule and train arrivals — Hire Tripologiste.