Ses Variades in Sant Antoni was filled with families, residents and visitors on Saturday evening as the Ibiza Balloon Festival brought its Ibiza Night Glow to the waterfront.

The evening combined music, family activities, food trucks and an acrobatic performance before the hot-air balloons became the main attraction after sunset.

The event formed part of the second edition of the Ibiza Balloon Festival, which is taking place in Ibiza in September.

Families and visitors gather at Ses Variades

People began arriving at Ses Variades from the late afternoon for an evening programme designed for all ages.

DJ Cris 44 provided the music while children could take part in activities including face painting and other entertainment.

Food trucks and refreshments were also available throughout the event.

As darkness approached, more people gathered around the area prepared for the main balloon display.

Acrobatics above the crowd

At around 20:00, an acrobatic performance added another element to the programme.

Marina from Acrobáti-K performed suspended from one of the hot-air balloons, with the performance taking place above the area where spectators had gathered.

The display formed part of the programme leading into the Night Glow itself.

Four balloons take centre stage

At approximately 20:30, the Ibiza Night Glow began.

Up to four hot-air balloons were illuminated while remaining on the ground, with the flames from their burners creating the lighting effect as music played.

The illuminated balloons stood out against the night sky above Ses Variades, giving the crowd a view of the balloon envelopes without the balloons taking flight.

A Night Glow rather than a flight

The Night Glow is different from the festival's morning balloon flights.

During the daytime flights, the balloons take off and travel according to wind and weather conditions.

At Night Glow, the balloons remain on the ground and are illuminated using their burners as part of a choreographed visual presentation.

This format allows spectators to experience the balloons from close to ground level.

Music continued through the evening

After the balloon display, the programme continued with live music.

MAIK & REYA were scheduled to perform from 21:00, extending the evening at Ses Variades beyond the main balloon presentation.

The combination of music, food and family activities meant the event continued after the main Night Glow moment.

Part of the second Ibiza Balloon Festival

The 2026 event marks the second edition of the Ibiza Balloon Festival.

The festival combines early-morning balloon flights with public activities and the Night Glow at Ses Variades.

The organiser describes the event as free and says the flights are not commercially sold because of the limited size of the balloon baskets. Places on flights have instead been reserved for press, guests and volunteers, with some opportunities distributed through competitions.

Morning flights depend on conditions

The flying programme is subject to weather and safety conditions.

Before each flight, pilots meet for a briefing to determine the launch location according to the wind and meteorological conditions.

The organiser's published schedule places the balloon preparation from around 07:00, followed by a group flight around sunrise, although the exact launch location can change according to conditions.

A different view of Ibiza

The festival has been presented as a way of experiencing Ibiza from above and showcasing activities beyond the island's traditional summer nightlife.

Its programme combines ballooning with family entertainment and outdoor activities, while the Night Glow brings the event to a public space in Sant Antoni where spectators can watch from the ground.

Representatives from the island's tourism sector and local authorities attended the festival's presentation earlier in the weekend.

The event continues through the weekend

The 2026 Ibiza Balloon Festival is scheduled to continue through September 20.

The official event information lists the festival from September 18 to 20, with the balloon flights determined by weather and safety conditions.

The Night Glow at Ses Variades was the main evening gathering of the second edition, bringing the balloons back to the ground after the first morning flight of the weekend.

Sant Antoni's evening under the balloons

Saturday's Night Glow gave residents and visitors a chance to see several hot-air balloons illuminated after dark, surrounded by music and family activities.

With up to four balloons taking part in the illuminated display and hundreds of spectators attending, Ses Variades became the setting for the festival's main nighttime programme on September 19.

The remaining festival activities continue during the final day of the 2026 edition, subject to the weather and decisions made by the participating pilots.