The International Hot Air Balloon Festival (FIBAQ), which returns for the 27th consecutive year to Alto Alentejo, is organised by the company Publibalão, in collaboration with the ballooning club Alentejo sem Fronteiras.

This edition will take place in the municipalities of Alter do Chão, Avis, Fronteira, Monforte and Ponte de Sor, in the district of Portalegre.

The event features the participation of 30 teams from Portugal, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Belgium.

Quoted in the statement, Aníbal Soares, from the organisation, pointed out that FIBAQ aims to “promote the practice of ballooning in Portugal, reinforcing the commitment to the impact of the festival in participating locations and increasing media return for all parties”.

“It is an honour to return with this festival to Alentejo, which has been taking place for 27 years, and bring the magic of flying to everyone who wants to have a flying experience”, he added.


According to the promoters, those interested can “live the unforgettable experience of flying” in a hot air balloon, and must purchase solidarity bracelets, the proceeds of which go towards volunteer firefighters in the localities that participate in the event.

FIBAQ passes through Monforte on the 7th of November, followed by Fronteira (the 8th), Ponte de Sor (the 9th and 10th), Alter do Chão (the 12th) and the Abreu Callado Foundation, in Benavila, in the municipality of Avis (the 13th).

For the 9th of November, at 7:45 pm, in Ponte de Sor, the night show of light, colour and sound “Night Glow” is planned, in which the “flames from the hot air balloon burners are released to the rhythm of the music”.

Hot air balloon flights will almost always take place twice a day, at 07:00 or 07:30 and at 14:00 or 14:30, whenever weather conditions allow.

Considered as “one of the largest and most important festivals in Europe”, FIBAQ has partnerships with the chambers of Alter do Chão, Fronteira, Monforte and Ponte de Sor, the Abreu Calado Foundation, in the municipality of Avis, and several companies.