The 40^th International Balloon Festival in Château-d’Oex

Every year in January, nearly a hundred hot air balloons from across the globe come to Château-d’Oex, the ballooning capital of the Alps, to benefit from the region’s exceptional climate. A spectacular night show, hot air balloon flights and kids’ day are just some of the events on the agenda during this colourful 9-day festival. In its 40^th year, and attended by balloonists from around twenty countries, the festival will take place between 27 January and 4 February 2018.

The Night Glow sound and light night show is the highlight of the festival, during which around twenty hot air balloons, paragliders, members of the Swiss Ski School and pyrotechnists light up the Château-d’Oex night sky. Founded in 1979, the festival attracts crowds of people over two weekends. As with every year, Wednesday afternoon is dedicated to children, with captive flights and the big balloon launch putting a smile on hundreds of little faces. www.chateau-doex.ch