With educational institutions declaring holidays for Sankranti festival, people thronged Parade Grounds on Wednesday to witness the kite and sweet festival. The sky was filled with various types of kinds and in different hues. Forty professional kite flyers from 19 countries and 55 from 15 Indian states are participating in the festival. Organised by the Telangana Tourism Department, the three-day event will continue till January 15, showcasing traditional sports, culinary heritage, and cultural performances. 

There are also night kite-flying sessions. This year the participation is from 25 states.

Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026, to be held at multiple locations

Balloons to be lifted to 60 feet in Secunderabad

The Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department has put in place a comprehensive safety and emergency response plan for the city’s first Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026, to be held at multiple locations. Senior Fire Department officials said fire tenders, quick response teams and specialised personnel were deployed at the designated take-off and landing points following a coordination meeting involving organisers, officials from the Telangana Tourism Department and police commissionerates. The arrangements are aimed at ensuring swift response to any emergency during the festival. Arrangements had been made at the take-off and landing locations at Qutb Shahi Tombs and Jalamandali Park in Gandipet.