Heart-shaped balloon pilots to play "Air Hunt" in Veliky Novgorod

The Veliky Novgorod – Heart of Russia Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held in our city again from July 11 to 13, 2025. It is reported to be part of the Novgorod Summer Governor's project. The hot air balloon festival will take place at Pobedy-Sofia Square and the Volkhov River. Pilots from Nizhny Novgorod, Moscow Region, St. Petersburg, Voronezh, Belgorod, Dmitrov, Samara and Veliky Novgorod will take part in the event. On Friday, July 11, a general launch is planned from Sofiyskaya Square between 19:30 and 20:30. The weather forecast so far is as follows: dry, partly cloudy, +27..+30 and east wind from 4 m/s.

On July 12, a unique event awaits festival guests: for the first time in the history of the festival, the game "Air Hunt" will be held over the Volkhov water area. During the competition, balloon pilots must accurately throw a special marker into a basket fixed on the water. The target on the river near the beach will be open for balloons from approximately 20:00 to 21:30.

Entry to the event is free.