Festival Internacional del globo, Léòn. Mexico

If there’s one festival that’s truly our favorite, it’s this one! It was a real discovery, and from the very first moment, we knew we’d want to come back every single time and that this festival would hold a very special place in our hearts.

The León International Balloon Festival in the Guanajuato region of Mexico is one of those events where we can say: You have to be there to understand. This festival can’t be described—it has to be experienced! It’s experienced to the fullest with as much energy as the Mexicans can muster to welcome us. Because when it comes to a welcome, they always nail it! No matter what time we arrive at the hotel, the committee is waiting for us with a smile, offering gifts and a welcome cocktail. But nothing beats the first official day of the festival!

Let the fiesta begin! We arrive at the festival grounds, welcomed like stars to the applause of the crowd waiting for us. As we look for our team, we run into friends and colleagues. People reunite, hugging each other like it’s a long-awaited reunion. You can feel the frenzy, the excitement—the atmosphere is electrifying.

You can feel this atmosphere every day. Every morning we fly—even if it’s 4 a.m.—we arrive at the site and music is playing everywhere. Spectators are already there waiting for us, wrapped up in their blankets. Keep in mind that in November, it can be 5 to 10 degrees Celsius in the morning. Not very warm for us, so imagine how it is for the Mexicans! But once the sun rises, the air warms up quickly, just like the Mexicans, who heat up the atmosphere with their wild dancing, rhythmic music, and contagious joy. And what about our festival evenings!

During the Festival Internacional del Globo, the evenings are reserved for magical nights. Each team has its own lighting show and must be present to entertain the crowd during their performance night. We’ll admit it! Even if it’s not our designated night, we’re there to enjoy the atmosphere, the shows, and the entertainment. At every edition, they feature renowned guest artists—both local and international—that you won’t want to miss!

Five days of festivities, with just a little time for sightseeing. Luckily, because the city of Guanajuato and the state of the same name have so much to offer visitors! Guanajuato is a colonial city renowned for its architecture and underground tunnels. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The panoramic view from the Monumento al Pipila is sensational! Did you know that the city of León is the largest city in the state of Guanajuato and is known as the world capital of leather and footwear? The perfect souvenir to bring home, but nothing compares to all the wonderful moments and memories that are etched in our minds and hearts.