It looks like a scene out of a Pixar movie, but it is real: on October 4 and 5 the sky of Aranjuez will be filled with hot air balloons, with different colors, lights and music. This is the Aranjuez Balloon Festival 2025, which has been held since 2014 in the Plaza de Parejas, in front of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez.
Just an hour from Madrid, this show brings together about 12 hot air balloons that will come with their equipment from different points of the Spanish geography. They can reach up to 30 meters high and 17 meters in diameter, although the conditions and flight times are subject to change depending on the weather.
On Saturday at sunset the Magic Night is celebrated, a show in which the balloons will be on the ground and illuminated, accompanied by the rhythm of music in a magical evening. It is a unique meeting between the public and professionals, for which no ticket is required.
Take to the skies and a historic event
The Plaza de Parejas is the main stage of the show and its choice is no coincidence:the first manned flight of a hot air balloon in Spain was in the Royal Site of Aranjuez, on June 5, 1784 .
More than 240 years later, this historic event is revived with the participation of professional pilots. The takeoffs, which will begin at 8 am, will measure the skill and ability of the crew members through various tests such as following the hare balloon or making a bull’s-eye with the launch of witnesses.
For the most daring visitors, it is possible to fly in a balloon, but places are very limited and the cost is high, reaching 200 euros per person. They can be booked through the website of The Balloon Company, the company organizing the event. In addition, the Aranjuez Balloon Festival is sponsored by the Community of Madrid, National Heritage and the City Council of Aranjuez.
Scheduled programming
The program must be confirmed between 48 and 24 hours in advance, since it is subject to weather conditions, to ensure the safety of the flights. It will take place over two days only, distributed as follows:
- Saturday 4: Simultaneous takeoffs in the morning around 8 am and in the afternoon around 5 pm. The Magic Night is scheduled for 9 p.m., including musical entertainment.
- Sunday 5: Simultaneous launches in the morning around 8 am.
Seeing the balloons in the air can be reminiscent of mythical movies like Disney Pixar’s Up, which is quite a spectacle. In the last edition, about 20,000 people attended and this year is also expected a great expectation.
How to get to Aranjuez
Aranjuez is located approximately one hour from Madrid. The fastest way to get there by car is by the A-4 highway, taking the exit towards Aranjuez.
In the case of public transport, the C3 commuter line connects the city with Atocha in just 45 minutes and you can also take bus 423 from Mendez Alvaro and 429 from Legazpi.