New Clark City is taking flight this weekend as the country’s biggest open-air runway, with the 26th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) happening today until February 15, 2026.
Back in New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, this year’s edition, themed “A Weekend of Everything That Flies,” packs the skies and the grounds with must-see attractions — from colorful hot air balloons and aerial sports to drone racing and dazzling night spectacles.
If you’ve been meaning to go, this is the moment. The fiesta runs for a limited time only and offers a rare chance to experience aviation, adventure, and family-friendly activities all in one place.
Beyond the spectacle, the event also highlights Central Luzon as a growing hub for sports tourism and showcases how former military lands have been transformed into vibrant, people-first spaces.
“What we wanted to do with this event was show what good planning and governance can achieve. From the start, New Clark City was developed to be a livable, functional space that people can actually use and return to. We hope that Filipinos can look to it as a space for sport and leisure long after this festival,” said Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) President and CEO Engineer Jake Bingcang.
Here are five things worth making time for, no matter what brings you to the field.
1. Hot air balloons you don’t see up close
In its 26th year, the heart of the fiesta remains the hot air balloons themselves, with both classic and special-shaped balloons flying in from different countries. Daybreak ascents offer a prime viewing window, when balloons lift off to drift across New Clark City’s open skyline. For many first-time visitors, this is a rare chance to see aviation up close in a space designed for public access.
2. Aerial sports, live and unscripted
From hoverbikes cutting through the air to paragliders and helicopters performing precision maneuvers, the aerial shows are something of a love letter to the aviation community that has helped grow interest in air sports well beyond hobbyist circles. Radio-controlled aircraft demonstrations and fly-ins are also there for spectators who value function over form.
3. Drone racing and tech-forward competitions
Drone racing has become one of the fiesta’s most anticipated components, with World Air Sports Federation-recognized competitions pushing speed and skill alike to their limits. Even for non-enthusiasts, the races are easy to follow as pilots demonstrate remarkable finesse. This year’s program also features drone soccer demonstrations, giving spectators a closer look at how drone technology is being adapted into emerging competitive sports that blend aviation, robotics, and teamwork.
4. Night glows that change the mood entirely
After dark, illuminated balloons will light up the field, paired with music, drone light shows, and fireworks that make the fiesta feel like a community event. Falling on Valentine’s weekend, it’s also one of the few moments when aviation turns romantic.
5. A venue designed for everyday Filipino life
What ties everything together is New Clark City. With open spaces and purpose-built event areas, the city made it possible to host tens of thousands of visitors. For the BCDA, this is by design.
“With attention to detail given to transport access and crowd flow, what we got was a working example of how sports tourism and good governance can come together in a city built for people. For us, former military lands can be transformed into spaces that support sports and daily life without feeling out of reach,” Bingcang said.