Mexico’s largest hot air balloon festival returns to León, Guanajuato, from Friday 13 to Monday 16 November 2026, with over 200 balloons taking flight each morning above the Parque Metropolitano.
What to expect
The Festival Internacional del Globo gathers pilots and special-shape balloons from across the world for four days of dawn launches, evening glow displays, and live concerts. Around 40 of this year’s balloons are novelty shapes, with the main mass ascents scheduled for first light each day, weather permitting. Friday 13 November entry is completely free; tickets are required for Saturday through Monday and are available through the Eticket platform online.
The park opens to spectators well before sunrise, so plan to arrive by 6:00 am to claim a good position on the grass. Bring warm layers - morning temperatures in León’s highlands drop to around 10-12°C in November, rising quickly once the sun is up.
Planning your visit
León is in the state of Guanajuato, making it easy to combine the festival with time in Guanajuato city, San Miguel de Allende, or Querétaro - all within two hours by road. The closest international airport is del Bajío (BJX), roughly 20 km from León’s city centre, served by direct flights from Mexico City, Monterrey, and several US cities.
Accommodation books out fast for festival weekends. If you are searching from outside Mexico, booking platform prices in US dollars are typically lower than local peso rates for the same properties when checked in mid-November.
Hotels in León itself fill first; Guanajuato city, San Miguel de Allende, and Silao are practical alternatives with good road links to the park. The festival draws an estimated 400,000 visitors across its four days, so arrive early and expect traffic on the access roads from Saturday onwards.
For the best time to visit Guanajuato state more broadly, October and November sit at the tail end of the dry season, with clear skies and comfortable daytime temperatures that suit both the balloon launches and sightseeing.