When: 7th – 10th August 2014
Where: Ashton Court Estate, Bristol
£: Free
What is it?
The annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is Europe’s largest ballooning event, and takes place from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th August 2014. This amazing spectacle is a free family event with over 120 hot air balloons taking off from Ashton Court Estate at dawn and dusk.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta features four days of colourful hot-air balloon displays, with all shapes and sizes lifting off over the City of Bristol. In addition to the balloons there will be entertainment including fairground rides, food stalls and bars, face painting and acoustic music areas.
The event promises a good family day out with attractions on the festival site including balloon tethering, model aircraft displays, experiential activities, and a music stage hosted by Jelli Records.
Highlights of the fiesta include the following:
Visitors can watch spectacular balloon ascents up close. Each morning at 6am visitors can enjoy ‘Breakfast and Balloons’, watching the hot air balloons take to the sky as the sun rises with a morning coffee and bacon sandwich. For the evening ascents, visitors are encouraged to arrive early to get a good spot to watch pilots inflate the balloons and take off en mass at 6pm.
There will be aerial and arena displays throughout the whole weekend. There are special appearances planned from helicopters and aircraft, including the RAF Typhoon Display team, flown by 29 (Reserve) Squadron from RAF Coningsby, showcasing the performance of the aircraft.
The Nightglow and Fireworks Finale is a late night spectacle for visitors. The famous Nightglow is a stunning sight with 30 teams lighting up their balloons in time to music as night falls at 9pm on Thursday 7th and Saturday 9th August. As the balloons finish their performance the skies light up over Ashton Court Estate with spectacular fireworks.
More info: www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk