A weekend full of color is coming right near Mexico City! After a 12-year hiatus, the Cantoya Balloon Festival will return to Morelia with its fifth edition, which promises to fill the skies of Michoacán with figures made of tissue paper.
The event will take place on August 29 and 30, 2026, at the Morelos Indeco Sports Complex. Best of all, admission will be free, and the program is designed so that everyone—from young children to seniors—can attend.
Giant balloons, music, and free activities
One of the most anticipated moments will be the release of Cantoya balloons, a traditional craft in which tissue paper is transformed into enormous pieces that are then released into the air.
And keep in mind, not all of them are small. According to the organizers, there are simple models made from five sheets of paper, but there are also truly monumental works that can require 900 to as many as 3,000 sheets. The latter take several weeks to complete.
During the festival , there will also be music, cultural performances, dance, food, and interactive activities where some balloons will be given away.
You’ll also be able to learn how to make your own Cantoya balloon
The experience won’t be limited to just looking up at the sky. As part of the festival’s activities, there will be free workshops on how to make Cantoya balloons—a great way to get an up-close look at the artisanal process.
The celebration is part of a series of activities taking place throughout July and August in various locations across Michoacán, including Paracho, Pátzcuaro, Cherán, Pichátaro, and Naranja de Tapia.
Morelia is about a four-hour drive from Mexico City, so this festival could be the perfect excuse for a weekend getaway—and , while you’re there, explore its Historic Center.
📅 August 29 and 30, 2026
📍 Morelos Indeco Sports Complex, Morelia, Michoacán
🕐 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
🎟️ Free admission
