The balloon festival in Krefeld will take place on the Easter weekend in 2023. Numerous hot air balloons rose into the air at several locations.
Krefeld – Balloons are firmly rooted in the tradition of Krefeld: Balloon silk was already being made there more than 100 years ago. The first balloon events have taken place in Krefeld since the 1980s – and this year too. At the Ballon Festival 2023 on the Easter weekend, 650 years of Krefeld’s city rights will be celebrated.
No balloon launches on Easter Monday
Note for Easter Monday (as of Monday, 9:30 a.m.): “We have received the latest information from tomorrow’s weather briefing and the pilots will NOT be driving on Easter Monday,” announced the city of Krefeld on Sunday evening on Facebook. There will be “no more balloon launches at our balloon fiesta”. The reason for this is a change in the weather, which brings wind and gusts with it.
Balloon Festival 2023 in Krefeld at a glance
Balloon Festival 2023 in Krefeld
Was? Hot air balloons rise into the air at several areas in Krefeld
When? From Saturday, April 8 to Monday, April 10, 2023, around 6:45 am, the balloons will be launched
Notice: All statements without guarantee. The launch of the hot air balloons depends on the weather. According to the organizer, the balloons only take off when the weather permits. The current situation divides that City of Krefeld on Facebook with. There are also ongoing updates on the Internet City information. Contrary to the actual planning, no balloons should take off on Easter Monday. The announced wind is “thwarting the plans,” the city of Krefeld explained on Facebook late Sunday evening.
At the Ballon Festival 2023, around 15 hot air balloon teams will take to the air at various locations in Krefeld. “Thank you for this beautiful day to everyone who made it possible and experienced it,” is the city’s conclusion after the first day. “Seeing you wave, the dance numbers in front of the stage and the applause after the balloon glow – that was just great,” writes the city of Krefeld on Facebook.
In addition, on the occasion of the Easter weekend, an Easter egg hunt takes place on the racetrack and in the city forest in Krefeld. Visitors can also look forward to glowing balloons and music on the Krefeld racetrack on Saturday evening, April 8th. It should be noted that the implementation of the balloon festival depends on the respective weather conditions.
Balloon festival in Krefeld: When do the hot air balloons rise?
The Balloon Festival begins on Easter Saturday April 8th and ends on Easter Monday April 10th. It usually starts at 6:45 a.m. Starts are also planned in the evening. The hot air balloons can be observed at several locations in Krefeld. The city of Krefeld will announce the exact starting times on Facebook. The balloons are expected to start at 7:15 a.m. on Easter Sunday.
Hot air balloons in Krefeld
What is the connection between hot air balloons and Krefeld? “Balloon silk was already being produced in Krefeld more than 100 years ago,” the city explains. The first balloon event in Krefeld was in the 1980s. “Now we’re celebrating 650 years of city rights with a balloon festival all over Krefeld – with the center on the Krefeld racetrack.”
The program at the balloon festival in Krefeld: Easter Saturday, April 8, 2023
- Sunrise (from 6:45 a.m.) “Fox hunt” at the Stadtwald, at the Egelsberg, at the Sprödentalplatz and at the Maria-Sibylla-Merian Wiese (MSM-Wiese), Notice: The city explains on Facebook that the weather is “too bad”. However, two test balloons were able to take off and have now landed safely in Mönchengladbach. (as of April 8, 12:45 p.m.)
- Sunset (from 6:45 p.m.) at the racetrack, at Egelsberg, at Sprödentalplatz and at the Maria-Sibylla-Merian Wiese (MSM-Wiese). According to the current status, the balloon rides will take place. The city of Krefeld writes on Facebook: “The latest status is that it is being driven. The balloons take off at around 6:45 p.m. Starting places will be the racetrack AND the airfield at Egelsberg” (as of April 8th, 5:45 p.m.)
- Nightglow/balloon glow (from around 9:30 p.m.): The hot-air balloons light up to the beat of the music at the Krefeld racetrack. This program item is also dependent on the weather conditions. The city of Krefeld writes on Facebook: “The teams here are also optimistic about the balloon glow. It looks like it’s going to be around 9 p.m. at the moment.” (as of April 8, 5:45 p.m.)
The program at the balloon festival in Krefeld: Easter Sunday, April 9, 2023
- Sunrise (from 6:45 a.m.) in the Stadtwald, on the Egelsberg, on the Sprödentalplatz and on the Maria-Sibylla-Merian Wiese (MSM-Wiese). Notice: “Today ALL balloons will start from the Stadtwaldwiese. The start is expected to be at 7:15 a.m.,” the city of Krefeld announced (as of April 9, 8:41 a.m.)
- Sunset (from 6:45 p.m.) at the racetrack, at Egelsberg, at Sprödentalplatz and at the Maria-Sibylla-Merian Wiese (MSM-Wiese). Notice: “ALL teams will come to the Maria-Sibylla-Merian Wiese and try to start there. It starts there at 6.30 p.m. Whether the launches are successful depends on the wind,” the city of Krefeld announced on Facebook. (Status: April 9, 4:45 p.m.)
The program at the balloon festival in Krefeld: Easter Monday, April 10, 2023
- Sunrise (from 6:45 a.m.) in the Stadtwald, on the Egelsberg, on the Sprödentalplatz and on the Maria-Sibylla-Merian Wiese (MSM-Wiese). Notice: “Pilots will NOT DRIVE on Easter Monday. The announced weather change brings with it wind and gusts (as of Sunday, 10 p.m.)
Balloon Festival at Easter 2023 in Krefeld: “Fox Hunt” and “Balloon on the Crane”
A fox hunt is planned at the beginning of the balloon festival. This means that the Krefeld anniversary balloon as a “fox” starts before all other balloons. These may only take off later. The aim of fox hunting is to get as close as possible to the fox – despite different wind directions and different heights. When the fox lands, it places a crosshair on the ground. The fox hunt is won by the pilot who can place a sandbag on the crosshairs.
Furthermore, on Easter Saturday, April 8, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., the “balloon on the crane” will take place. A crane lifts the visitors into the air in a balloon basket. This allows you to enjoy the view without having to go on a hot air balloon ride. The journey costs 2 euros. The proceeds of the money goes to the child protection association in Krefeld.
Fair in North Rhine-Westphalia at Easter
In addition, numerous folk festivals take place in NRW at Easter. Among other things, the Deutz Easter Fair 2023 will start in Cologne, the Osterbend 2023 in Aachen and the Easter Fair 2023 in Düsseldorf
The program at the Krefeld racetrack – balloon festival 2023
In addition to the hot-air balloons, there are various program items for young and old at the Krefeld racetrack on the Easter weekend.
- Saturday (April 8) from 3 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: children’s program, food culture and balloon glow
- Sunday (April 9) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Easter brunch with children’s program
- Monday (April 10) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. – ecumenical service with a singer
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