KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 — It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s colourful hot air balloons — and maybe even Darth Vader, to boot.

The ever-popular Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta returns for the eighth consecutive year, from March 11-13, 2016.

Over 20 pilots from more than 10 countries are registered to participate in this year’s Balloon Fiesta, including the United Kingdom, Thailand, Spain, France, Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, South Korea, and of course, Malaysia.

As the Putrajaya skyline comes alive with colourful hot air balloons, charming young and old alike, organisers also promise plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained on the ground.

They include kids-centric activities like interactive workshops, colouring contests and paper airplane competition for kids, as well as helicopter rides and an Extreme Zone.

Tickets for this year’s Night Glow event, the highlight of the fiesta have been doubled this year to give members of the public more opportunity to catch the illuminated balloons up close, as they take to the night skies to the beat of the music, accompanied by a brilliant fireworks display.

The Balloon Fiesta is a free event open to all ages.

To find out more, call 03-9044 0002 or check out the event’s official website www.myballoonfiesta.com and follow their Facebook page www.facebook.com/myballoonfiesta.