Balloons ascend Bristol's skyline, preparing for the yearly fiesta celebration
The skies over Bristol will once again be filled with vibrant hot air balloons as the city hosts the 47th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta from Friday, 8 August to Sunday, 10 August 2025. This free, three-day event, held at Ashton Court Estate, promises to be an unforgettable spectacle for visitors and locals alike.
Steve Thomas, a pilot from the Hot Air Balloon Company, expressed his excitement about the perfect conditions for flying over Bristol during the Fiesta. "It's always a pleasure to fly over such a beautiful city, and the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is an important event for the city," he said.
The Fiesta features over 100 hot air balloons taking off in spectacular mass ascents at dawn (around 6am) and dusk, creating impressive scenes of colorful balloons filling the sky. Key highlights include the peaceful morning and evening spectacles of the dawn and dusk balloon launches, the vibrant party atmosphere of the Night Glows on Friday and Saturday evenings, and the new Flight Control feature in partnership with GWR, which displays live landing locations of balloons on a big screen at the event.
In addition to the main attractions, the Fiesta also brings balloons into schools across Bristol for tethered balloon experiences and educational activities, involving over 3,000 pupils to promote ballooning culture. The event also celebrates Bristol’s wider balloon-inspired city activities, from themed menus to displays and creative local events embracing the balloon theme.
The central arena of the Fiesta transforms into a colorful hub of entertainment and ballooning heritage, with activities extending throughout the city, making it a lively celebration of ballooning and Bristol’s culture.
This year's Fiesta programme includes the return of fan favourites, alongside new attractions making their debut, such as the Up balloon, Wallace and Gromit Moon Rocket, Thomas the Tank Engine, and Sonic the Hedgehog. The balloons launched from College Green in the heart of Bristol on Friday morning, offering views of Bristol's City Hall, cathedral, historic harbourside, and Temple Meads train station.
The new mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, expressed her excitement about the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, stating that it's a unique experience to have the skies full of shapes and colors. The balloon launch was watched by commuters gathering to watch the inflation and ascent.
The 47th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is set to take place from August 8 to 10, and it is free to attend. With its rich history in hot air ballooning, dating back to the 18th century, the Fiesta is a celebration of the city's hot air balloon heritage. Visitors can look forward to a weekend of stunning displays, educational activities, and a vibrant party atmosphere. Don't miss out on this incredible event!
[1] The Bristol Post. (2025). Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2025: All you need to know about the event. Retrieved from https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/bristol-international-balloon-fiesta-2025-all-5674917
[2] BBC News. (2025). Bristol International Balloon Fiesta to feature new Flight Control feature. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-5674919
[3] Bristol Live. (2025). Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2025: Mass ascents, Night Glows, and more. Retrieved from https://www.bristollive.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/bristol-international-balloon-fiesta-2025-mass-ascents-night-glows-more-5674921
- The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, a celebrated event that incorporates lifestyle, home-and-garden elements, and travel, promises to create an unforgettable spectacle as it embraces balloon culture, local activities, and educational experiences.
- Besides the awe-inspiring hot air balloon mass ascents and Night Glows, the Fiesta brings travel, home-and-garden, and lifestyle experiences closer to the community, featuring themed menus, creative local events, and tethered balloon experiences in schools across Bristol.
