Join us and enjoy the magic of Hot Air Ballooning, where balloons and pilots from around NZ and the World take to the Waikato Skies.
Whether you join us for our morning flying events at Innes Common Hamilton, be amazed by The ZURU Nightglow at Claudelands Oval or just pop outside in your jammies each morning to wave as our balloons float by, this event is for you.
The ZURU Nightglow is a FREE ticketed event. Stay tuned for updated information.
WEL Energy Trust Muffins in the Morning
Dates: Thursday 20 March
Time: 7am
Location: Innes Common, Hamilton Lake
FREE, no ticket required.
Make the most of this magical week by getting up early to join in the fun at Innes Common, Hamilton Lake. There is nowhere better to see the balloons up close, inflate and fly off and then enjoy the fun with our partners onsite each morning.
Love the Centre Walk-Thru Balloon
Dates: Thursday 20 March
Time: 4-7pm
Location: Garden Place, Hamilton CBD
Cash or eftpos koha, no ticket required.
Visit Garden Place for an amazing experience walking inside a real hot air balloon for a gold coin donation. There’ll be fun, music and entertainment helping kick off Balloons event week.
Balloons visit South Waikato
Dates: Thursday 20 March
Time: 5:30-9:30pm
Location: Tokoroa Memorial Sports Ground
FREE, no ticket required.
First Credit Union Fun Friday
Dates: Friday 21 March
Time: 7am
Location: Innes Common, Hamilton Lake
FREE, no ticket required.
Make the most of this magical week by getting up early to join in the fun at Innes Common, Hamilton Lake. There is nowhere better to see the balloons up close, inflate and fly off and then enjoy the fun with our partners onsite each morning.
The Base Basket Burn
Dates: Friday 21 March
Time: 6pm to 7:45pm
Location: The Base, Te Rapa, Hamilton. Opposite Mitre 10.
FREE, no ticket required.
The Base have teamed up with Balloons Over Waikato again to bring the Basket Burn to The Base.
What’s a ‘basket burn’ you ask? It’s a light show using hot air balloon gas burners choreographed to music! We’ll have food trucks onsite for family dinner, and of course the fiery basket burn display with great live music from the Monroes worth a boogie to!
Want more information? Click here.
Balloons visit Waipa
Dates: Friday 21 March
Time: 5pm to 8pm
Location: Albert Park, Te Awamutu
Radius Care Cash Grab
Dates: Saturday 22 March
Time: 7am
Location: Innes Common, Hamilton Lake
FREE, no ticket required.
This is the last morning event of the week! We’re firing up the grill with a Radius Care sausage sizzle because nothing fuels balloon-watching like a good old snag.
The main event? The Cash Grab. Watch as pilots put their skills to the test, navigating their balloons to snatch cash from a pole mid-flight.
Can they pull it off? Come see for yourself!
The ZURU Nightglow
Date: 22 March 2025
Time: 4pm
Location: Claudelands Oval, Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton
Tickets: FREE, ballot opening 2pm 4 February.
Don’t miss Hamilton’s biggest night out – The ZURU Nightglow. Hours of live entertainment on the One NZ main stage, carnival rides and foodies, culminating in the spectacular balloon glow and the SkyCity Hamilton fireworks extravaganza!
Balloons Over Waikato Photography Walk with Canon New Zealand and Photo Warehouse at The ZURU Nightglow
Join us for a one-of-a-kind photography experience in partnership with Canon New Zealand and Photo Warehouse. Designed for Canon camera users, this exclusive walk lets you test the latest Canon gear and capture breathtaking shots of our event with expert guides and time with fellow Canon enthusiasts.
Limited spots (30 only) – $20 registration fee (all proceeds to Balloons Over Waikato Trust). Canon users only.