The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta had been on my UK bucket list for years, and it did not disappoint. From the moment the first balloon lifted off, I was hooked. The colors, the variety of shapes, and the sheer number of balloons made it feel magical.
Whether you are making a special trip for the Fiesta or adding it to a UK itinerary, here is everything you need to know to make the most of the experience.
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Contents
- Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Overview
- Bristol Balloon Fiesta Tickets and Hospitality Options
- How to Get to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
- Balloon Flights and Night Glow at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
- Top Tips for Visiting the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
- Is the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Worth It?
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Overview
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of Europe’s largest hot air balloon festivals, attracting balloonists and visitors from around the world. First held in 1979, it has grown from a small local event into a weekend celebration that now draws over 400,000 people each year.
The festival takes place at the Ashton Court Estate, a park just outside Bristol city center, which is about 120 miles west of London. The setting provides a perfect launch site for balloons in every color, shape, and size, from classic teardrops to special shapes like animals and cartoon characters. Morning and evening mass ascents are the main attractions, but the program also includes the unforgettable Night Glow, where tethered balloons light up in time with music.
While the balloons are the star of the show, the fiesta is a full-on summer celebration. Expect stunt shows, live music, family activities, delicious food stalls, and a buzzing carnival atmosphere. Best of all, it’s completely free to attend, making it an unmissable experience for both locals and travelers exploring the UK.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta Tickets and Hospitality Options
It’s wonderful that you can walk through the Bristol Balloon festival gates without spending a penny. If you want to help keep it that way, consider supporting the event by paying for parking or shuttle bus tickets, booking hospitality, or making a donation. Every little bit helps ensure the festival remains free for everyone to enjoy.
If you want to upgrade your experience, look into hospitality packages. We splurged on Sky Lounge access for Saturday morning and loved it. I thought the price (£17.50 per person in 2025) was reasonable, considering we got:
- A delicious croissant (possibly the best I’ve ever had)
- Unlimited coffee and tea
- Cleaner less crowded bathrooms
- A covered seating area with tables and chairs
- Games for the kids
- Free Wi-Fi
- Fewer crowds than the main field
Hospitality tickets sell out quickly and cost less the earlier you buy, so don’t wait. Next time, we’re eyeing the Night Glow Launch Field Access package, which combines Sky Lounge access to the field where the evening balloon glow takes place.
Remember parking and shuttle bus tickets must be booked in advance, and some days do sell out.
How to Get to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
You need to plan how you will get to the Fiesta in advance, luckily, you have a few options. You can drive, take the shuttle bus, walk, cycle, or grab a taxi/Uber. We chose to drive so we could see the morning mass launch from inside the event.
Here’s what to know:
- The shuttle runs from Bristol Temple Meads Station but not early enough for morning flights.
- If driving, book your parking in advance. There are two lots:
- Blue: shorter walk to the event
- Red: slightly farther
- Arrive before 5 pm if you are driving as they close the parking lots.
- Allow plenty of time to get to the site as road closures and diversions mean there will be delays and you don’t want to miss launches! Plus, there can always be backups from accidents or road construction.
- Once parked, you can’t leave and return with the same ticket.
- Use the official signs near the event, not your GPS.
If you’re taking a taxi or rideshare, expect congestion and be ready to walk a bit. This could be a good way to get to the Fiesta, but I imagine it could be a nightmare when you are leaving.
Note: The easiest way to get from London to Bristol is by train. There is a direct line from London Paddington Station to Bristol Temple Meads. Check the schedule and prices here.
Balloon Flights and Night Glow at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
The festival’s star attractions are the mass balloon launches (which happen at 6 am and 6 pm each day) and the balloon glow (at 9 pm most nights), but these are weather-dependent. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Allow extra time to find a good viewing spot. We enjoyed the view from the Green viewing area.
- It’s worth getting up for the early morning flight because there are a lot less people.
- In most cases, flights will only be confirmed or canceled right before launch time. It doesn’t have to be very windy to make it unsafe to fly a hot air balloon. There were six mass balloon launches scheduled during the 2025 Fiesta and two were cancelled due to wind.
- Since you won’t know beforehand which flights will take place, it’s a good idea to allocate as much of the weekend as you can to the festival. If you only plan to attend one day, and the weather is not good, you might not get to see a launch.
- Yes, you can go up in a balloon! If you want to do this you should book in advance and be prepared and know it is not cheap. The options I saw online were around £1,200 for two people.
- You can see the balloons fly without going inside the event. We loved the view from Clifton Observatory, overlooking the Clifton Suspension Bridge. If you want to do this, get there early to get a spot and be prepared for crowds.
- Even if flights are canceled, the balloon glow (balloons lighting up to music at night) may still happen. Since the balloons stay tethered to the ground, the weather doesn’t have to be perfect. It is worth staying for.
Top Tips for Visiting the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
A little preparation goes a long way to making your day at the fiesta more comfortable and enjoyable. Here are some things we learned from our visit.
- Food: You can bring your own or enjoy the many food stalls — prices are typical for festivals. I had a gyro and Russell had a Philly cheesesteak, both were quite filling. We also saw burgers, fish & chips, chicken & waffles, paella, pizza, bbq, and much more.
- Seating: Camping chairs were a game changer for us. Not only did it make the day more comfortable, but it also made it easier to hold our space in the crowd. Definitely worth spending a little bit to get one that feels good to sit in since you will probably be sitting most of the day. Check out the options on Amazon here.
- Traffic after Night Glow: Expect delays, it took us over an hour to get out of the parking lot. Consider hanging back to enjoy food or rides before leaving.
- Accommodation: You probably won’t be in your hotel room much, so stay nearby to minimize travel time. We stayed at Premier Inn Portishead which was only 15 minutes away (without traffic) and the opposite direction from Bristol City center. It was convenient, clean, quiet, and affordable. You can check the rates and availability for the hotel we stayed at here. If you prefer to stay in Bristol, you can see the options here.
- Weather Prep: The site doesn’t have much shade so bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. Also, since the event starts early in the morning and runs until late, you will need layers and a jacket to deal with the changing temperatures throughout the day.
- Water: Bring a refillable bottle, as there are free refill stations. If you don’t already have one, there are lots of different options available on Amazon here.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi is only available in the Sky Lounge and cell service can be spotty when the festival gets busy. If you’re visiting from abroad, consider getting an eSIM for a local data plan so you’re not relying on expensive roaming. Either way, it’s smart to arrange a meeting place for your group.
- Footwear: If it rains, the field gets muddy so take this into consideration. Wellies or waterproof shoes might come in handy.
- Entertainment: Of course the big draw is the balloons, but there is more to the Fiesta than that. During the 2025 event, we enjoyed the stunt kites, motorcycle displays, a Hurricane flyover, model plane displays, a samba band, and police dog demonstrations in the arena throughout the day. There are also carnival rides and other activities. In previous years, there have been fireworks too.
- Essentials: Hand sanitizer is a must. Stick a travel-sized one in your pocket. If you need to stock up, you can get some on Amazon here.
Is the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Worth It?
While the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has free admission, you might be wondering if it’s worth the time and effort to attend. For me, the answer is a definite yes.
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is the kind of event that stays with you long after it’s over. Watching all the balloons lift into the sky is unforgettable, but it does take a bit of planning and flexibility to make the most of the weekend.
If the weather is good, seeing the balloons launch is pure magic. If it is not, there is still plenty to enjoy such as the night glow, live entertainment, food stalls, and the friendly festival atmosphere.
We had a fantastic time and are already hoping to make it back next year. If you are visiting the UK in August, it is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary.
Have you been to this Bristol Balloon Festival? If so, we would love to hear about your experience in the comments.
-Anisa
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