Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Weekend

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons from across the globe. In this amazing spectacle over 100 hot air balloons will take off from Ashton Court Estate at dawn and light up the skies at night with evening glows. It’s something everyone has to see at least once in a lifetime! 

The event features colourful hot-air balloon displays, attracting over half a million visitors to the scenic grounds of Ashton Court. Balloons of all shapes and sizes lift off and rise over the City of Bristol as well as taking part in various ballooning competitions including who can reach the furthest point in a set time or landing challenges. 

Famous for its Balloon Ascents and Nightglows, each morning at 6am and evening at 6.00pm the hot air balloons take to the sky in a riot of colour. The mass ascents are truly spectacular to watch as this is the only place in the world that you will see so many balloons all go up at once outside of Albuquerque in the US. The balloon team’s mass ascents are for serious ballooning pilots due to the high level of skill required to fly successfully in a crowded sky.

The evening Nightglows are also undoubtedly a stunning must see. Around 30 ballooning teams take centre stage whilst lighting up their tethered balloons in time to music as night falls at 9.00pm, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. The event is very busy with attractions on the festival site including a model aircraft flying display, inflation races, balloon tethering, with entertainment provided in the arena in the afternoons, a fairground and many food stalls 

On Sunday we will do some sightseeing and will be going on a 45 minute Packet Boat cruise around the City Docks with commentary on the history of Bristol. 

Please Note: The Balloon Fiesta is entirely weather dependent and the mass ascents and nightglows cannot be guaranteed.