Four days of free family fun…

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons, attracting over 130 Hot Air Balloons from across the globe. The Fiesta truly is a sight that can only be seen in Bristol. Held over four days in August at Ashton Court Estate, the event is completely free with charges made for parking on the event site. Alongside the fantastic site of hot air balloons filling the skies, we have a large number of great trade stands, fairground rides and entertainment.

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THURSDAY 8th AUGUST

The Fiesta’s first day opens at midday with Hot Air Balloons tethering through the afternoon. As we reach 6pm, our pilots are briefed on the weather for the first mass ascent of the Fiesta. At 9pm as dusk sets 25 of our hot air balloons turn into huge lights bulbs, glowing in time to our specially commissioned soundtrack, ‘Bristol’s Glowing’. Our evening finishes with a fantastic firework finale.

12:00 Fiesta Opens Balloon Tethering – launch field
18:00 Mass hot air balloon lift
21:00 Nightglow and Firework Finale
22:30 Fiesta Closes

FRIDAY 9th AUGUST

The Fiesta’s second day includes two mass hot air balloon lifts and an afternoon of Balloon Tethering.

06:00 Fiesta Opens and Mass hot air balloon lift
08:00 Model hot air balloon competitions
12:00 Hot air balloon tethering
18:00 Mass hot air balloon lift
20:30 Fiesta Closes

SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST

The Fiesta’s third day includes more mass hot air balloon lifts and our infamous nightglow and firework finale.

06:00 Fiesta Opens and Mass hot air balloon lift in association with Classic FM
08:00 Model hot air balloon competitions
12:00 – 17:30 Arena Entertainment, including…
18:00 Mass hot air balloon lift
21:00 Nightglow and Firework Finale
22.30 Fiesta Closes

SUNDAY 11TH AUGUST

The Fiesta’s final day includes more mass hot air balloon lifts and model hot air balloon competitions.

06:00 Fiesta Opens and Mass hot air balloon lift in association with Classic FM
08:00 Model hot air balloon competitions
12:00 – 17:30 Arena Entertainment, including
18:00 Mass hot air balloon lift
20:30 Fiesta Closes