Balloons of all shapes and sizes will be at the fiesta (Image ©Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Ltd)
When: 9th – 12th August 2018
Where: Ashton Court Estate, Bristol
£: Free (tickets for parking need to be booked in advance)
What is it?
The 40th annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, Europe’s largest ballooning event, will take place from Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th August.
The free family event will see more than 130 hot air balloons taking off from Ashton Court Estate, at dawn and dusk each day.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will feature four days of colourful hot-air balloon displays, with all shapes and sizes lifting off over the city. As part of the 40th celebrations, expect to see balloons in the shape of jets, houses, fruit, whisky bottles, beer glasses, fish, peanuts, motorbikes and even a pair of pants!
A Nightglow from the balloons
In addition to the balloons there will be entertainment including fairground rides, stalls, bandstand music, arts and crafts, wing-walking air displays and model hot air balloon competitions. There will also be a bar and food available.
Highlights of the fiesta will include watching the 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 food from one of the stalls.
This year there will also evening ascents which visitors can watch, as well as 40 special balloons in 40 different shapes. Arrive early to get a good spot to watch these events.
Another highlight is the famous Nightglows, which will take place on Thursday 9th and Saturday 11th at about 9pm. The Nightglows will see a selection of the balloons light up the night sky, set to a specially commissioned soundtrack, and ending with a fireworks display.
More info: www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk and www.facebook.com/bristolinternationalballoonfiesta