PUTRAJAYA INTERNATIONAL HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL 2012

Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2012 is back for the 4th time here in Malaysia.This year, the event will be held from 15 - 18 March at Monumen Alaf Baru Precinct 2 in Putrajaya and the time will be from as early as 7am right till 9pm at night. Watch as colourful hot air balloons float the skies of Putrajaya. Themed ' 1 World, 1 Malaysia, 1 Fiesta' this event features 23 balloonists from among some of the unique shaped hot air balloons to look out for this year would be the Square Hot Air Balloon (Germany), Coin Box Hot Air Balloon (Netherlands), Ivi the Kiwi Hot Air Balloon (New Zealand), Heart Hot Air Balloon (Switzerland), Tree Hot Air Balloon (USA), Birthday Cake Hot Air Balloon (USA) and Felix the Cat Hot Air Balloon (Vietnam).


The best time to visit the Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Festival would be early in the mornings on each day as you would avoid the massive crowds and also get a good parking spot around the area. This area would be at the Putrajaya Boulevard where the main governmental ministries are located. One of the prominent landmarks would be the Ministry of Finance building here. When you drive in to the area, you would be able to spot the beautiful hot air balloons from a distance too.




This festival attracts all walks of life in Malaysia namely families, couples and lots of photographers. As the festival is also held during the school holidays, it would be a great family outing and exposure for the kids. Around the main ground area, you will find numerous food kiosks and stalls, souvenir stalls and even some fast food chains participating in this event so food and drinks are easily sourced here. Public toilets are also available while one of the highlights is an experience to ride in a hot air balloon for a small fee. This ride takes the guest up to about a hundred feet in the air and then descend back down. Sorry as it is not a ride that takes you around Putrajaya.


For the best festival experience, head to Putrajaya bright and early to avoid congestion in the area and parking lot. Besides admiring the fun-shaped balloons, you could also take your kids up for a ride on the hot air balloon for RM10 per person. However, there are only 300 tickets up for selling per day.


On Saturday (17/03) there will be ‘Night Glow’, a firework show where all balloons will be lit up and synchronized to the sound of music besides the array of fireworks.

These are only some of the unique shaped ones while there will be many other balloons on show there ;