Qatar Hot Air Balloon Festival...

Katara Cultural Village's southern area witnessed a breathtaking display of illuminated hot air balloons last night, enthralling thousands of spectators who thronged the second day of fifth Qatar Hot Air Balloon Festival.

The 'Nightglow' event showcased the balloons' dazzling and unique glow accompanied by a music performance from the main stage. Visitors had the opportunity to capture the stunning display of colours, shapes and designs of balloons that came all the way from various regions of the world.

The Nightglow also created a unique, picturesque view of Katara, inspiring visitors to take photos and videos and post on social media.

"What makes this fifth edition of the festival special is we have a big number of uniquely shaped and caricature hot air balloons and they are very interesting," Hassan al-Mousawi, CEO of Safe Flight Solutions, told Gulf Times on the sidelines of the Nightglow event Friday. "We have increased the participation from different countries, all the way from China and Japan to Europe and South America. We have a big delegation coming from Brazil, and a lot of special shapes too.

"We are also featuring stunning laser shows, four times every night, and this is the first time that it is taking place in this event," he explained.

Apart from the hot air balloons, a group of roving performers also entertain families and their children, in addition to a dedicated kids’ zone. It showcases an array of activations and engaging games, from carnival classics and team challenges to virtual reality experiences, as well as themed bouncy houses, and thrilling slides.

The festival also offers young visitors the chance to take part in kite-building workshops, allowing them to design, decorate, and fly their own kites under the guidance of experienced instructors.

"Our aim is to grow this festival and we have a lot of support from Qatar Tourism," al-Mousawi said, as he also thanked partners and sponsors.

He expressed optimism that the number of participants will continue to increase, boosting Qatar's tourism sector, further attracting more visitors from different countries. The festival runs until December 21.