The Canberra Balloon Spectacular is easily one of the most magical things to experience in the city! Every March, dozens of hot air balloons take to the skies at sunrise, floating over Lake Burley Griffin and some of Canberra’s most iconic landmarks. The event runs for around nine days (2026 dates are March 14-22) and is completely free to attend. Each year there’s a mix of classic balloons and fun, quirky shapes, which makes it even more fun to watch. The event dates and launch location changes every year so be sure to check the website.

Each morning, flights are confirmed at 6:00am on the ACT events Facebook page or the offical Canberra Balloon Spectacular event website. If conditions are good, balloons begin inflating just after 6:00am, with most taking off by around 7:00am from the Patrick White Lawns. Watching the balloons inflate is honestly one of the best parts, so it’s definitely worth getting there early. Seeing them slowly come to life as the sun rises is such a cool experience. If the weather isn’t suitable for flying, some balloons may still inflate and stay tethered on the lawns. Even without a launch, it’s still a really beautiful spectacle and worth going for. Sometimes balloons launch from alternate locations depending on the conditions. If that happens, you can still spot them from some great viewpoints around Canberra, including Black Mountain Peninsula, Red Hill, Mount Ainslie and the National Arboretum.

If you’re visiting Canberra in March, this is 100% worth setting an early alarm for. If you're hopping to ride in one of the balloons for the event, make sure you book well in advance. Being one of the most popular events in Canberra, this books out!