Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2024, England

The three-day Bristol International Balloon Fiesta takes place on the green fields of the large Ashton Court estate, located on the western tip of Bristol. Every year, about half a million people come here to see how more than 100 balloons of incredible colors ​and shapes fly in the sky.

Festival Highlights

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta offers a full weekend of excitement, beginning with morning ascents and continuing with diverse entertainment throughout the afternoon. Evening ascents are followed by mesmerizing night glows. A rich program of entertainment, traders, exhibitors, caterers, and activities ensures that visitors can still experience the magic of ballooning even if the weather grounds the flights. In 2024, the Fiesta proudly hosts the British National Hot Air Balloon Championships, featuring around 15 teams competing in the skies over Bristol and the surrounding area.

Entrance & Schedule

The main balloon launches occur twice daily, at 6 am and 6 pm, with scenic flights featuring illuminated balloons taking place at night. Please note that launch times may vary depending on weather conditions. Entrance to the Bristol Balloon Festival is free.

Parking & Shuttle Services

Although admission to the festival is free, it is highly recommended to book a parking space in advance. Caravans and motorhomes are not permitted in the car park due to logistical constraints; only standard-sized cars or vans are allowed. Parking tickets are sold in phased releases, with prices starting at £10—the earlier you book, the cheaper the ticket. Visitors should be aware that the car park closes to entries at 5 pm.

Shuttle buses run from Bristol Temple Meads train station directly to the Fiesta site, with return journeys departing from the Fiesta site back to Bristol Temple Meads.

Festival History

Rooted in the fascinating realm of hot air ballooning, this iconic event has been a cornerstone of the UK's event calendar for over four decades. Bristol, renowned as the birthplace of ballooning in Europe and now the global capital of the sport, serves as the perfect host city. Since its humble beginnings with a group of friends in 1979, the event's influence has transcended initial ambitions. Today, it stands as a cherished Bristol institution, a symbolic icon representing the region on the global stage.