Big Balloons at Your Doorstep

Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

The time for the big balloons to float around Penang island is drawing near. Do not miss out on the fun things happening during the event.

Float above the Padang Polo in Penang on a hot air balloon to glimpse at George Town World Heritage Site from a different angle on 21 and 22 Feb 2015. There will be endless celebrations during the ‘Fabulous February Fiesta’ in Penang as we kick off the ‘Year of Festivals’ in conjunction with Visit Penang Year 2015 (VPY2015). Brought to your doorstep and organised for the first time, the Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta will be the main highlight to kick start VPY2015.

Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta will give visitors an opportunity to have a one-of-a-kind experience. There will be 15 hot air balloons over a 2-day festival and this event is open to all ages from 6am to 9pm at Padang Polo (Polo Ground) with balloon set-up at 7am and free-flying balloon shows that will awe you at 7.30am.

On both days, three tethered balloons are open for rides to the public at RM25 per person while a cold inflation balloon at RM5 per person will allow everyone to walk into the hot air balloon interior for photo opportunities. What to watch out for are the three special-shaped balloons that will amaze you to no end: Trump, Darth Vader and Humpty Dumpty.

Activities at the event

Besides the impressive hot air balloons, there will be family-friendly activities such as fun inflatable playgrounds, creative workshops, archery, photography competition, paramotor performance, remote plane/helicopter and more.

If that’s not active enough, there’s even a fun run on 21 Feb (Saturday) at 7am from Padang Polo to Youth Park. Registration for this fun run is RM28 and click here to register. This run will give the participants to ‘follow’ the flight of the floating hot air balloons.
The Route:
Jalan Sepoy Lines - Jalan Utama - Jalan Brook – Jalan Jesselton Avenue – Lengkok Jesselton Avenue – Persiaran Kuari – Jalan Kebun Bunga – Jalan Gottlieb – Jalan Utama –Jalan Nunn – Jalan Macalister – Jalan Residens – Jalan Hospital – Jalan Sepoy Lines

Click here for full programme details.

Parking ease

For ease of parking during the event days, shuttle buses will be provided by the state from three different points on the island to Padang Polo. Locations and bus schedule as below:

A. Jetty – Komtar – Padang Polo / Padang Polo – Komtar – Jetty
Stop point: Rapid Penang Terminal (Jetty), Komtar & Padang Polo (at Sepoy Line)
Operation hour: 7am – 10pm
Frequency: every 30min – 60min
Number of buses: 3

B. Tesco TanjungTokong – Padang Polo
Stop point: Jalan Sri Tanjung Pinang (near TESCO) & Padang Polo (at Sepoy Line)
Operation hour: 7am – 10pm
Frequency: every 45min – 60min
Number of buses: 2

C. Queensbay Mall – Padang Polo
Stop point: Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal – Bus Stand Queensbay Mall – Padang Polo (at Sepoy Line)
Operation hour: 7am – 10pm
Frequency: every 60min
Number of buses: 2

Hot air balloonists

Click here to find out more about the hot air balloonists.

Last words

Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

The Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is supported by the Penang State Government with the cooperation of the Municipal Council of Penang Island (MPPP) and Penang Global Tourism, and in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia. This event’s programming partners are AKA balloon Sdn Bhd, Today Lifestyle Marketing and ActifeStyle. Its official radio station is Fly FM.

Keep checking #mypenanghab for live updates plus photos.
For maps and directions, click here for our event listings.