Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2015

For the inaugural event on the island, a total of 15 hot air balloons will be featured here. For those planning to attend this event, you should know the Polo Grounds are located just by the Penang General Hospital and nearby Jalan McAlister Road.

Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

A cold inflation balloon experience will be charged at RM5 per person where you can walk into a hot air balloon interior for photo opportunities.

The famous Darth Vader Hot Air Balloon will appear in Penang

Cold Inflation where visitors can walk inside a hot air balloon

A Night Glow with the Hot Air Balloons is also scheduled in the evening. This is where the hot air balloons lineup at the field and wait for the sun to go down where they will light up each balloon to the beat of music played. A great visual and awesome for photography.

Night Glow

For the kids, there will be inflatable playgrounds set up at the event. A fun run is also part of the itinerary for 21st Feb Saturday only.

It is an RM28 fee to join the fun run which will follow the path of the free-fly route of the balloons.

Food and drinks are also available from various vendors selling local hawkers and fast food.

The official hashtag for twitter and Instagram or other social media channels is #mypenanghotairballoon

Cold Inflation Selfie

Date: 21 – 22 February 2015

There will be five local and 10 international flying balloons, which include three flying balloons, three tethered balloons, and three special-shaped balloons.

Penang Hot Air Balloon Event highlights:
* Flying balloon show – from Youth Park
* Tethered hot air balloon rides
* Nightglow
* Cold inflation
* Hot air balloon display
* Remote mini balloons

Additional Fringe Activities: 
* Archery combat & fun archery
* Fun run
* Paramotor show
* Inflatable playgrounds
* Colouring competitions
* Gigantic soap bubbles show
* Remote helicopter/plane show
* Photography competition
* Handicraft stalls and workshops
* Food and Drink stalls

Darth Vader Hot Air Balloon

Free Bus Service for Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

For those taking the bus, there are free shuttle buses from three points on the island to Padang Polo. They are the main jetty, Queensbay Mall and Tanjung Tokong. The Routes are:

Jalan Sepoy Lines – Jalan Utama – Jalan Brook – Jalan Jesselton Avenue – Lengkok   Jesselton Avenue – Persiaran Kuari – Jalan Kebun Bunga – Jalan Gottlieb – Jalan Utama –Jalan Nunn – Jalan Macalister – Jalan Residents – Jalan Hospital – Jalan Sepoy Lines

Driving and Parking
It is recommended that you park a distance from the event and walk or park at one of the shuttle bus stops or pick up points to avoid congestion as the main area will most likely be cordoned off by authorities and it is guaranteed to be quite jammed there.

Bus A: Jetty – Komtar – Padang Polo / Padang Polo – Komtar – Jetty
Stop point: Rapid Penang Terminal (Jetty), Komtar & Padang Polo (at Sepoy Line)
Operation hour: 7am – 10pm
Frequency: every 30min – 60min
Number of buses: 3

Bus B: Tesco TanjungTokong – Padang Polo
Stop point: Jalan Sri Tanjung Pinang (near TESCO) & Padang Polo (at Sepoy Line)
Operation hour: 7am – 10pm
Frequency: every 45min – 60min
Number of buses: 2

Bus C: Queensbay Mall – Padang Polo
Stop point: Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal – Bus Stand Queensbay Mall – Padang Polo (at Sepoy Line)
Operation hour: 7am – 10pm
Frequency: every 60min
Number of buses: 2

The event is supported by the Penang state government in cooperation with the Penang Island Municipal Council and the Penang Global Tourism in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia.

This is also the first time that the island is having the Penang Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, which is touted to be a popular event for families.