| European Balloon Festival | |
|---|---|
 European Balloon Festival, year 2008 | |
| Genre | Hot air balloon festival |
| Dates | Beginning of July |
| Location(s) | Igualada, Spain |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Attendance | 15,000 |
| Website | www.ebf.cat |
The European Balloon Festival is the largest hot air balloon festival in Spain, and one of the largest in Europe. It takes place every year during the first fortnight of July in Igualada, Catalonia, Spain, a city located within 60 km from Barcelona.
The festival lasts four days (Thursday to Sunday) and attracts thousands of spectators. It includes a hot air balloon competition and recreational exhibitions such as a night glow and fireworks. The flights take place early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when weather conditions are the optimal ones. It also offers visitors the opportunity to fly on a balloon, by booking a flight in advance.
The festival is organized by the Igualada City Council, with technical support from the company Ultramagic, the world's second-largest manufacturer of hot air balloons, and Kon-Tiki Balloon Flights, a company specialized in balloon flights. The company merged with Royal Flight Tours in 2010, and operates flights from the south-eastern peninsula.