Spectacular autumn weather this week has made for some beautiful early morning take-offs.
It has been a magical week so far in the Balloon Capital of Australia, as the 2026 Canowindra International Balloon Challenge transforms our historic town into a kaleidoscope of colour. Thousands of locals and visitors have already soaked up the atmosphere, with the Gaskill Street Party and the high-stakes Canowindra Butchery BBQ Masters drawing massive crowds and filling the air with the smell of competition.
But don’t pack away your cameras just yet—the festival is only just hitting top gear as we head into a jam-packed final weekend.
The energy shifts to high-voltage this Friday night at the Sports Oval with the Home Ground Sounds concert. Prepare for a “Furnapalooza” as the legendary Furnace and the Fundamentals take the stage.
Known for their choreographed antics and non-stop medleys of the world’s greatest hits, they are set to turn the oval into the Central West’s biggest dance floor.
The momentum continues into a massive Saturday. Early birds can head to the highly anticipated Balloon Key Grab, where pilots showcase their precision flying by attempting to grab a corflute cutout of a cider bottle off the top of a pole. Jimbob’s Coffee Van will be at the oval serving coffee and there will be bacon and egg rolls on offer as well.
Saturday morning at 11am, the main street will come alive with the vibrant Street Parade, a celebration of our local community spirit.
From 3pm, all roads lead back to the Sports Oval for the signature Cabonne Community Glow. This is a true sensory feast; while the Alikinetic Dancers, Central West Gymnastics, Oli Statham, Toni and Lenny, and Rock Solid provide non-stop entertainment, the night markets with over 100 stalls will offer the best of local food and crafts.
The climax, of course, is the Glow itself. As dusk settles, the hot air balloons will tether and inflate, lighting up like giant 20-metre lightbulbs to a synchronized musical soundtrack.
For the latest updates and weather dependent launch times, download the Canowindra Live app or visit www.canowindrachallenge.org.au.
