Canyon Balloon Festival - Laterza Grand Finale

The Canyon Balloon Festival Grand Finale in Laterza

The Canyon Balloon Festival - A Breath of the Mediterranean is a travelling event dedicated to hot air balloons that traverses the Terra delle Gravine, in the heart of Puglia. Promoted by the Puglia Region with the support of Pugliapromozione and organized by the tour operator Explovery, the festival visits various towns between the provinces of Taranto and Bari every autumn. The highlight is the Grand Finale in Laterza, a town in the province of Taranto overlooking one of Italy's most impressive natural wonders.

Above Europe's largest ravine

In Laterza, colorful hot air balloons rise above the Gravina di Laterza, a karst canyon considered the largest in Europe, over 200 meters deep and several kilometers long. The setting is unique: around twenty balloons from all over Europe float in the air at dawn, when the wind is calmest, offering residents and visitors a breathtaking view. The festival was created to introduce international pilots to the wonders of the Apulian territory, turning them into ambassadors of the region throughout the Mediterranean and beyond.

Flights, shows, and street food

The Grand Finale program combines aerial spectacle with a rich array of ground-based activities. In the morning, panoramic free flights take place, while the evenings feature tethered ascents, with the balloon anchored to the ground, designed to let even children and people with reduced mobility experience the thrill of flight. The balloons are surrounded by live music, street food featuring typical Apulian flavors, street performers, and evening entertainment that turn the town into a large, widespread celebration.

Discovering the Terra delle Gravine

The festival weekend is also an invitation to explore Laterza and its surroundings. The calendar offers excursions in the Terra delle Gravine Regional Natural Park, visits to rock-hewn churches, walks in the historic center, and trips to the MUMA - Majolica Museum, which preserves the tradition of the famous Laterza ceramics, as well as workshops for children, horseback riding, and trekking through the canyons. It is a way to combine nature, culture, and taste while discovering an authentic corner of Puglia from the unique perspective of the sky.

A free event in the heart of the Taranto province

The Canyon Balloon Festival is an autumn appointment that has enlivened the Municipality of Laterza and the entire Terra delle Gravine in recent years. Access to the festival areas is traditionally free, making the event suitable for families, enthusiasts, and curious visitors alike. Dates and programs change from year to year and are published on the official website and social media channels; hot air balloon flights, in particular, are always subject to weather conditions.