The festival also features on-ground activities and attractions like aviation career seminars, food booths, a fly market, and concerts, making sure there is something for everyone to enjoy.
This event used to be an annual celebration, but it went on a three-year hiatus because of the pandemic. It will be coming back in 2024, welcoming guests again from February 16 to 18. While it was also known as the Pampanga hot air balloon festival because it was held in the province, this 2024, it will be held in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.
Where is the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival 2024 located?
Take note that there is a new venue for the Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival 2024. It will now be held in New Clark City in Capas Tarlac. This new venue is a sports hub that is home to an aquatics center, various open grounds, and an athletics stadium that can seat up to 20,000 people.
When is the Hot Air Balloon Festival?
The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta will be held from February 16 to 18, 2024. This falls on a weekend, so the whole family can spend a day (or even two or three!) taking part in the festivities.
How to Go to the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta?
If you are coming from Metro Manila and nearby provinces like Pangasinan, Pampanga, and Zambales, you can get to New Clark City via land transfers. If you do not have a car, it is advisable to rent a car in the Philippines for a hassle-free trip. You also have the option to book private transfers. Those coming from Pampaga can book either a private Clark Freeport transfer, a private Angeles City transfer, or a private Dau Pampanga transfer.
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Those who are coming from other areas in the Philippines and other countries would need to book flights to Clark International Airport. Out of all the Philippine Airports, this one is Pampanga is the nearest to New Clark City. From here, you can either rent a car in Clark, Pampanga, or, if you’re staying in a property nearby, book airport to hotel transfers.
You also have the option to book flights to Manila via the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (also known as the Manila Airport), but this would mean that you would have to reach New Clark City via additional land transfers.
If you are coming directly from the airport, you can book either a private Manila Airport (NAIA) transfer or a private Clark Airport transfer.
How much is the admission ticket price for the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival 2024?
The price of Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta tickets depends on what type you are planning to get. The general admission ticket price is PHP1,500. For senior citizens and PWDs, the ticket price is PHP1,200. Note that these prices are only for a 1-day Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival pass. A two-day pass will cost you PHP2,700, while a three-day pass is priced at PHP4,050.
Should you wish to join aviation career seminars, you can purchase the general admission + aviation career seminars ticket, which costs PHP5,000. It also comes with morning snacks, lunch, and afternoon snacks.
For a pampered experience, you can book VIP tickets, which are priced at PHP10,000. It comes with access to the VIP entrance and VIP lounge (an air-conditioned area with a prime viewing spot to enjoy the activities), VIP parking slots, buffet breakfast, buffet lunch, buffet dinner, coffee, drinks, and wine tasting.
You may also book a 2D1N Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival Package for a more relaxed experience. If you want to stay in the area longer, you can also go for a 3D2N Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival Package.
What is the hot air balloon show? How much is the hot air balloon ride?
The final schedule for the hot air balloon show has yet to be announced, but you can expect different kids of hot air balloons from all over the world to be showcased. In the past, balloons shaped like a sunflower, a soda bottle, and even Vincent Van Gogh’s head have graced the festival. In 2024, you can expect the kid-favorite Princess Nelly the Pink Elephant to grace the skies again.
You can also go on a hot air balloon ride for an additional fee. The price for a hot air balloon ride at the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2024 is PhP 20,000 per person and includes 30 minutes to an hour of flight (actual time will vary depending on wind conditions). Please note that a passenger must be at least 4 feet tall to ride
A cheaper alternative is a tethered balloon ride, which will allow you to take souvenir photos as you are floating aboard a hot air balloon anchored to the ground.
A 10-minute ride costs PhP 500 per person. For this option, a passenger must be at least 3 feet tall to ride.
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What other activities are there in the Hot Air Balloon Festival?
Apart from being able to marvel at a variety of hot air balloons, attendees of the hot air balloon festival in the Philippines will also be able to see and enjoy other airshows, including that of helicopters, skydivers, paragliders, drones, radio-controlled aircraft, and kites.
For 2024, there are two new events that you can look forward to. The Jet Paramotor Exhibition features the United Kingdom’s only formation paramotor display team, the Jet Para Hawks. During the show, you can see the team perform aerial stunts with their paramotors.
The Aerobatic Pyro Show + Drone Light Show meanwhile, features the United Kingdom’s Global Stars aerobatic display team. Using their Extra 300L aerobatic planes, they paint the sky with smoke trails and pyrotechnics. This will be followed by the drone lights show, which features 500 illuminated drones synchronized to create a variety of aerial formations.
If you want to take flight yourself, you can also try tandem skydiving (PhP 20,000 per person for 30 minutes), tandem paragliding (PhP 7,000 per person for 20 minutes), or going on a sightseeing helicopter ride above New Clark City and Capas National Shrine (PhP 15,000 per person for 15 minutes).
Note that you need to be at least 18 years old to go skydiving or paragliding.
There are also activities that they can participate in on the ground, including attending aviation career seminars, shopping at the fly market, sampling delicacies at the food booths, and watching concerts.
What are the hotels near the Hot Air Balloon Festival?
Photo by Quest Plus Conference Center Clark
If you’re planning to stay at Philippine hotels during the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2024, it is recommended that you book a hotel somewhere nearby. You can check out accommodations in Tarlac and hotels in Pampanga. If you prefer to stay in Pampanga, you can be close to New Clark City if you book with Angeles hotels.
For a hassle-free experience, you can book Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta accommodation packages with Quest Plus Conference Center Clark and Best Western Plus Metro Clark. You can even customize these packages so you can upgrade your tickets, go on a tour of nearby attractions, or enjoy hotel transfers to New Clark City.
In Tarlac, you can stay at Microtel by Wyndham Tarlac, a 3-star hotel with private parking, laundry facilities, and WiFi access. Another option is the Luisita Central Park Hotel, a 3-star hotel. It has similar facilities, and it also has a fitness center.
Photo by Microtel by Wyndham Tarlac
You have more options in Clark, including Park Inn by Radisson Clark, Widus Hotel and Casino Clark, Hilton Clark Sun Valley Resort, Swissotel Clark, Midori Clark Hotel and Casino, and Clark Mariott Hotel.
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- Book Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival Packages:
Tourist Spots and Activities Near Hot Air Balloon Festival
There are many things to do in Tarlac, but you can also visit nearby tourist spots in Pampanga during your stay at New Clark City.
The Capas National Shrine in Tarlac is just less than 5 kilometers away from New Clark City. This shrine features a 70-meter giant obelisk and commemorates the heroism of Filipinos in Bataan during World War II. Surrounding the obelisk are three walls on which the names of Filipino soldiers who died during the Bataan Death March are engraved.
Another must-visit attraction in the province is Monasterio de Tarlac. This monastery is located in the Mount Resurrection Eco Park in San Jose Tarlac. It is most famous for the 30-foot Jesus Christ statue that has its arms open and overlooks the landscape below.
Those who want to take unique travel photos for their social media feed can visit Goshen Resort and Hotel, which features Roman-inspired architecture in its buildings.
Photo by Goshen Resort and Hotel Tarlac
In Pampanga, you can explore the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, where you can drop by the Clark Museum and 4D Theater, which feature four galleries that showcase Filipino ingenuity and bravery.
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Other spots to visit in Pampanga include the Holy Rosary Parish Church, a National Historical Landmark, and Museo Ning Angeles, a museum that allows visitors to learn about the history of Angeles City and Pampanga.
Plan your Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta trip now!
Whether you choose to go to PIHABF 2024 with friends, family, or even by yourself, there are sure to be enough hot air balloon festival activities that you will enjoy. For a hassle-free experience, plan your trip in advance.
Check out our article on outdoor tourist spots near Manila and see our collection of Philippine adventure tours and day tours near Manila so you can maximize your visit to New Clark City and the Philippines.
