Ibiza is looking to the skies this weekend as the Ibiza Balloon Festival returns for its second edition, bringing hot-air balloon flights, family activities and an evening light and music show to the island.

The festival is taking place from September 18 to 20, with the main public flying programme currently scheduled for Saturday 19 and Sunday 20. The event is free to watch, although flights themselves are not generally available for public booking because of the limited capacity of the baskets.

Sunrise flights over Ibiza

The main flying activity begins early in the morning.

On Saturday and Sunday, pilots will meet at 06:00 for a technical briefing, where they will assess the wind and weather conditions before deciding the precise launch location.

The balloons will then be assembled and inflated from around 07:00, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to watch the preparation process.

The joint flight is scheduled for approximately 07:45 to 08:30, around sunrise, followed by landing and recovery. The programme can be changed if weather or safety conditions require it.

The launch location depends on the weather

Unlike a conventional event with a fixed take-off point, the balloon flights require flexibility.

Pilots assess the wind direction and other meteorological conditions before each flight, meaning the exact departure location can change.

This is particularly important for hot-air balloons because their movement is largely determined by the prevailing wind once airborne.

The organisers have therefore stressed that safety conditions will determine whether and where each flight takes place.

Ibiza Night Glow arrives at Ses Variades

The festival's main evening attraction takes place on Saturday, September 19, at Ses Variades in Sant Antoni.

The Ibiza Night Glow begins at 20:30, with the balloons remaining on the ground while their burners illuminate the envelopes in coordination with music.

Rather than flying, the balloons become part of a choreographed visual display combining light, fire and sound.

Saturday's programme

The public programme at Ses Variades begins at 18:00.

The scheduled activities include:

• 18:00 to 21:00: DJ Cris 44

• 18:00 to 20:00: children's activities, including Cachirulo and face painting

• 20:00: acrobatics show

• 20:30: Ibiza Night Glow

• 21:00: live performance by MAIK & REYA

Food trucks and other exhibitors will also be present during the evening.

The balloons will be the centrepiece

The Night Glow works differently from the festival's morning flights.

The balloons remain tethered or positioned on the ground while their burners are fired in sequence, illuminating the fabric from inside.

The result is a changing display of illuminated balloon envelopes rather than an aerial flight.

It gives spectators the chance to see the balloons from the ground while the music and lighting form part of the evening programme.

International pilots and teams

The second edition brings together balloon teams and pilots with international experience.

The presentation of the festival included representatives of the participating teams, including a French formation and a Japanese pilot, alongside representatives from Enjoy Ibiza Activities, Fomento del Turismo de la isla de Ibiza and the local authorities.

The organisers say the aim is to continue developing the event and establish it as a recurring attraction connected with tourism, outdoor experiences and the island's landscape.

Flights are not open as normal public tickets

One important detail for visitors is that watching the balloons and attending the public activities is different from actually flying in one.

The current programme states that the limited capacity of the baskets means flights are reserved for press, invited guests and volunteers.

Some opportunities to fly have also been offered through social-media competitions rather than conventional ticket sales.

A festival with an environmental element

The programme also includes an environmental activity.

On Saturday morning at 10:00, a public clean-up is scheduled at the Ses Variades car park.

The organisers and Sant Antoni's environmental representatives have presented the activity as part of the festival's wider focus on sustainability and respect for the island's surroundings.

The clean-up is separate from the evening Night Glow and is intended to be open to participants of different ages.

Weather remains important

Weather is one of the most important factors throughout the festival.

Balloon flights depend on suitable wind and weather conditions, and the organisers have made clear that the pilots will make the final decisions based on safety.

That means the published flight times should be treated as planned schedules rather than guaranteed departures.

The exact launch location can also change according to the conditions on the morning.

A different view of Ibiza's landscape

The festival is designed to offer a perspective of Ibiza beyond its traditional nightlife image.

From the sunrise flights to the evening display at Ses Variades, the programme combines aviation, outdoor activities, family entertainment, music and food.

Spain's official tourism platform lists the Ibiza Balloon Festival as taking place from September 18 to 20 and describes the event as a combination of sunrise balloon flights and the Night Glow experience in Sant Antoni.

What to know this weekend

The second Ibiza Balloon Festival runs across September 18-20, with the main scheduled joint flights on September 19 and 20.

The morning programme begins with the pilot briefing at 06:00, balloon preparation from 07:00 and the planned joint flight between approximately 07:45 and 08:30.

On Saturday evening, Ses Variades hosts the Ibiza Night Glow from 20:30, following an afternoon of music, family activities and entertainment.

All flying activity remains dependent on weather and pilot safety decisions.

For spectators, however, the weekend offers a chance to see Ibiza's sky filled with hot-air balloons at sunrise and then experience them again after dark as part of the Night Glow spectacle.