This breathtaking hot air balloon festival near Montreal is like a mini trip to Turkey

If you've ever dreamed of floating over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon, you don’t need to fly halfway across the world to get that bucket-list moment. Just a short drive from Montreal, you can watch as hot air balloons fill the sky (or even ride one yourself).

The International de montgolfières de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is a unique festival coming to Quebec this summer.

The iconic festival paints the sky each year with the largest number of balloons in the country, where over 100 hot air balloons can fill the sky in a variety of shapes, colours and designs. It's a moment straight out of Turkey, minus the expensive flight.

From August 8 to 10 and August 14 to 17, 2025, the skies above Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu will be lit with a kaleidoscope of colourful hot air balloons from dawn to evening.

The festival, which takes place on the airport site in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (about 40 minutes from Montreal) and is now in its 42nd edition, will offer both sunrise and sunset hot air balloon flights that are sure to be breathtaking.

Picture dozens of massive balloons against a dreamy, pastel sky. It will be a magical experience, especially if you book a ride and float above the city yourself. But if you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, the view from below is just as breathtaking.

It's not just hot air balloons, though. The seven-day festival will also have performances by Quebec, Canadian and international artists, carnival rides, a diverse culinary offering, games and much more.

Festival-goers can see performances by artists including Alicia Moffet, T-Pain, Eric Lapointe, and Diplo.

There will be plenty of activities and things to do at the festival, including inflatables, giant games, an obstacle course, carnival rides (including a Ferris wheel), shopping, photo ops, flash tattoos and more.

Throughout the festival, you'll even be able to step inside an inflated hot air balloon. The balloon will be filled with cold air and held on the ground, allowing you to step inside, check out its giant proportions, and snap a selfie or two.

During the festivals "Magic Nights," you can also see hot-air balloons as they're tethered to the ground and transformed into gigantic illuminated lanterns. This year, the show takes to the skies with DJ Antonin Prinz, who will be putting on an aerial performance from a hot-air balloon tethered in the air.

There will also be a bistro SAQ and Lagabière zone where you can enjoy drinks and the beer of the day, as well as a terrasse experience with an exclusive bar and gourmet food station.

The all-ages festival runs for seven days between August 8 and 17, 2025, with hot-air balloons lighting up the sky for 10 days during this time. Tickets for the festival start at $55.09 per person and can be purchased online.

With the largest number of hot air balloons in the country, it's sure to be a magical event you won't want to miss.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.