KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN — Colorful hot air balloons are set to return to Kaohsiung this autumn as the 2026 Kaohsiung Love · Moon Hot Air Balloon Festival prepares to take over two of the city’s most distinctive landscapes.
Organized by the Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau, the event will run from September 25 through October 11, with activities divided between Tianliao Moon World and Love River.
Giant Kaohsiung Bear balloon takes center stage
One of the biggest attractions will be a 28-meter-tall Kaohsiung Bear-shaped hot air balloon, bringing the city’s popular tourism mascot into the autumn sky.
Two large standard balloons will also be available for tethered rides, giving visitors an opportunity to rise above the surrounding scenery while remaining secured to the ground.
The festival combines balloon displays and tethered experiences with photo installations, markets and other leisure activities, creating an autumn tourism event around the city’s landscapes and food attractions.
From Moon World to Love River
The festival will unfold in two very different settings.
Tianliao Moon World will host the first six event days:
- September 25–28
- October 3–4
The event will then move to Love River from October 9–11, coinciding with Taiwan’s National Day holiday period.
That gives visitors two contrasting backdrops: the unusual mudstone badlands of Tianliao and the urban waterfront scenery surrounding Love River.
Tickets open September 16
For visitors hoping to experience the tethered balloon rides, tickets go on sale September 16 at noon Taiwan time through 7-ELEVEN ibon machines and online ticketing systems.
The listed price is NT$500 per person.
Scheduled ride periods are:
- Morning: 6:00–8:00 a.m.
- Afternoon: 4:00–5:30 p.m.
The tethered experience is different from a free-flight balloon ride: the balloon remains secured while passengers are lifted vertically for an elevated view of the surroundings.
Weather remains a key factor
Because hot air balloon operations depend on weather and wind conditions, the scheduled experience can be affected by conditions on the day. Local reporting notes that purchasing a ticket does not necessarily guarantee that the balloon will be able to launch if conditions are unsuitable.
That makes the early-morning and late-afternoon sessions particularly important for visitors planning their trip around the balloon experience.
A new autumn attraction for Kaohsiung
The 2026 festival is designed to connect tourism attractions rather than focus solely on the balloons. Visitors can combine the event with nearby sightseeing, food, markets and waterfront activities.
At Tianliao Moon World, the surrounding mudstone landscape provides a dramatic natural setting. At Love River, the balloons will appear against Kaohsiung’s city and waterfront scenery.
With its giant Kaohsiung Bear balloon, two locations and nine event days, the festival is set to give Taiwan travelers another colorful reason to visit Kaohsiung during the autumn holiday season.
As the September 25 opening approaches, all eyes will be on Kaohsiung’s skies — and whether visitors can secure one of the limited chances to rise above the city.
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