Village Connect
For three days this February 13 to 15, 2026, the wide-open skies of New Clark City in Tarlac will transform into a living canvas as the 26th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta returns with renewed scale, imagination, and ambition. Long celebrated as “A Weekend of Everything That Flies,” the event once again invites families, aviation enthusiasts, and curious travelers to look up—and stay awhile.
This year’s edition promises its most visually striking lineup yet. Twenty-two new special-shaped hot air balloons—the largest number in the Fiesta’s history—will rise at dawn and dusk, piloted by aviators from Europe, North and South America, and beyond. As evening falls, the spectacle continues with glowing balloon night displays followed by a synchronized 500-drone light show, painting the skyline with stories, symbols, and color.
Beyond the balloons, the Fiesta positions itself as a global hub for modern air sports. FAI-sanctioned paragliding and FPV drone racing will draw competitors from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines, energized further by the Airsports Federation of Asia holding its first 2026 board meeting onsite. These competitions reflect the growing international relevance of the event—not just as a festival, but as a serious platform for air sport development.
New crowd favorites are also taking flight. Soccer Drone, a fast-emerging sport blending robotics and competition, will feature demo courts open to the public, while aviation schools such as FEATI University and PATTS College of Aeronautics prepare teams eyeing international representation. For lighter moments, paper plane contests, kite shows, RC aircraft dogfights, and ultralight formation flights keep the skies busy throughout the day.
Innovation takes center stage with Filipino inventor Kyxz Mendiola demonstrating his homebuilt manned flying drone, offering a rare glimpse into the future of personal air mobility. On the ground, drifting car exhibitions, a bustling Fly Market, and Pampanga’s iconic cuisine round out the experience.
Supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, BCDA, and the Provincial Government of Tarlac, the Fiesta also highlights Clark’s readiness as a premier tourism and investment destination. With aviation professionals sharing real-world career journeys, the event inspires the next generation to see the sky not as a limit—but as a beginning.
More than a festival, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta remains a celebration of imagination, movement, and the enduring human desire to fly.
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