Pollone dal Cielo
The hot air balloon festival in the heart of the Biella area
About Pollone dal Cielo
Hot air balloons over the Biella region
Pollone dal Cielo is the most beloved event in the small town of Pollone, located in the province of Biella at the foot of the Biella Prealps in Piedmont. For over ten years, the local Pro Loco has transformed the field in front of the historic Lanificio Fratelli Piacenza into a massive flight base for an entire weekend. At dawn, colorful hot air balloons inflate and ascend into the sky, offering one of the most scenic spectacles in the entire Biella area, with thousands of people looking up in wonder.
Flights, running, and charity
The heart of the festival is the hot air balloon flights, both free-flying and tethered, which have been complemented over the years by helicopter rides and first-flight experiences. On Sunday morning, from early hours until the early afternoon, the Lanificio field comes alive with balloon departures, while Saturday is dedicated to sport with the Maratoma, a 7-kilometer footrace that winds through the nature of Parco Burcina, one of the most evocative nature reserves in the Biella province. Alongside the adult race, there is the Maratomina, designed for children. The proceeds from the Maratoma are traditionally donated to the Friends of the Biella Hospital Association, giving the event a strong charitable dimension.
Market, street food, and music
Pollone dal Cielo is not just about the air and flight: along the event route, you will find an artisan market, food stalls, and numerous street food options, as well as live music and recreational activities for families. Over the years, the festival has consistently exceeded 3,000–4,000 visitors over the weekend, confirming its status as a highlight of the Biella event calendar.
A growing tradition
Founded in the early 2010s, the event has quickly established itself as the go-to hot air balloon festival for the region. Historically held in the spring, some editions have been moved to autumn to ensure more favorable flight conditions, with cooler temperatures ideal for balloon takeoffs. Balloon flights remain weather-dependent, and schedules may change or be postponed in case of wind or excessive heat. The organization handles every detail with the patronage of the Municipality of Pollone and the support of numerous local entities.
Pollone dal Cielo — edition 2026
Edizione 2026
Pollone dal Cielo 2026 ha animato il Comune di Pollone (Biella) nel weekend del 16 e 17 maggio, con circa 4.000 presenze nell'area del Lanificio Fratelli Piacenza. Le mongolfiere sono state ancora una volta le protagoniste assolute della manifestazione.
Programma
Sabato 16 maggio spazio allo sport: alle ore 16 la Maratomina dedicata ai bambini sul prato antistante il Lanificio, seguita alle 17:30 dalla Maratoma, corsa podistica di circa 7 km lungo il Parco Burcina con 125 partecipanti, il cui incasso è stato devoluto all'Associazione Amici dell'Ospedale di Biella. Domenica 17 maggio, dal mattino al primo pomeriggio, sono andati in scena i voli liberi delle mongolfiere dal campo del Lanificio Piacenza, con i primi decolli all'alba.
Atmosfera
Accanto ai voli, il pubblico ha potuto godere di stand gastronomici, street food, mercatino e attività ricreative per tutte le età, in una giornata di festa che ha confermato il successo dell'evento nel panorama biellese.
Programme Pollone dal Cielo 2026
Sabato 16 maggio
Ore 16:00 - Maratomina per bambini (prato del Lanificio Piacenza)
Ore 17:30 - Maratoma, corsa podistica di 7 km nel Parco Burcina
Domenica 17 maggio
Dal mattino al primo pomeriggio - Voli liberi delle mongolfiere dal campo del Lanificio Fratelli Piacenza
Per tutto il weekend - Stand gastronomici, street food, mercatino e attività per famiglie
Highlights Pollone dal Cielo 2026
- Voli liberi delle mongolfiere dal campo del Lanificio Piacenza
- Maratoma solidale di 7 km nel Parco Burcina (125 partecipanti)
- Maratomina per i più piccoli
- Circa 4.000 presenze nel weekend
- Incasso della corsa devoluto agli Amici dell'Ospedale di Biella
Prices Pollone dal Cielo 2026
Practical information — Pollone dal Cielo
Getting there
Pollone is located in the province of Biella, Piedmont. By car, it can be reached from Biella in a few minutes by following the signs for Pollone; the flight area is the field of the Lanificio Fratelli Piacenza in the Cisi region. By train, the reference station is Biella, which is then connected to the town by local transport.
Schedules and flights
Hot air balloon flights generally take place in the early morning and early afternoon on Sunday, from the Lanificio Piacenza field. Times may vary based on weather conditions.
Costs
Admission to the event is free. Free-flying and first-flight experiences are subject to booking and fees managed by the balloon operators present. Registration for the Maratoma requires a fee, with proceeds donated to charity.
Information
For the updated program, schedules, and bookings, we recommend checking the channels of the Pro Loco di Pollone APS.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Pollone dal Cielo
Campo del Lanificio Fratelli Piacenza
Regione Cisi, campo del Lanificio Fratelli Piacenza, 13814 Pollone