Our skyline will once again be a thriving hub of technicolour activity this month, as the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, in partnership with Albert Goodman, takes off from 7-9 August within the rolling hills of Ashton Court Estate.
The ballooning line-up features more than 120 full-size hot air balloons, including 20+ special shapes (more than ever before) and 40 model hot air balloons from across the UK, and as far afield as Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the US and Mexico.
Shaping up nicely
Among the vibrant collection of special shapes you can expect to see during the Fiesta look out for Astro the Alien, who’s head of a group of Aliens from the planet Zurcon, Astro has a volume of 48,000 cubic feet and is sure to bring some out-of-this-world fun, and Astro will be joined by Astrina, whose colourful design and friendly appearance make her a fantastic addition. Slick the Dragon is the first of two special shapes from MJ Ballooning to attend the Fiesta, and this friendly dragon is always a favourite wherever he appears.
Joining from the US, Smiley Scarecrow stands 120 feet tall with a volume of 160,000 cubic feet. His bright and whimsical design will make him a welcoming sight as he stands tall in the Bristol skies. Returning to Bristol, Adelaide the Koala is one of the most recognisable animal-shaped balloons from Longleat. Her distinctive ears and cheerful face always make her a favourite with visitors. Longleat’s King of the Jungle returns once again. Simbaloo the Lion’s impressive colours and friendly smile are easy to spot among the crowds.
With his unmistakable wolf-like features and striking design, Wes the Wolf is guaranteed to stand out, as will Wera, the largest screwdriver to ever be seen floating through the sky. Measuring 65m tall, this balloon takes the shape of Wera Tools’ Kraftform screwdriver, complete with blade hanging underneath the basket. If you like Aardman’s iconic film A Grand Day Out, watch Wallace’s first invention come to life. Look to the skies for Wallace & Gromit’s Moon Rocket Hot Air Balloon. This was designed in collaboration with Aardman to support Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the dedicated charity for Bristol Children’s Hospital and is operated by Exclusive Ballooning.
Slither the Snake is the inspiration of experienced pilot Jerry Davis, while Dolly the Sheep’s charm and friendly face is guaranteed to raise a smile. One of the smaller balloons attending, Daisy the Cow is a one-man Z-31 hopper envelope, aptly registered as G-MOO – whereas the giant Panasonic Battery, standing at some 120ft tall and containing 105,000 cubic feet of air, is capable of flying a pilot and two to three passengers (now operated by MJ Ballooning). Johnny the Panda – Johnny the Panda brings plenty of character to the Fiesta with his distinctive black-and-white markings and friendly smile, operated by Exclusive Ballooning.
There will also be a collection of tether-only special shapes, including a detailed balloon designed to look just like a folded Ordnance Survey map, proudly registered as G-MAPS and operated by Bristol Balloon Collectors; the orange and red BBC globe that was manufactured in Bristol by Cameron Balloons before appearing on BBC One’s idents for five years (it was retired in 2002, later restored by a group of balloon enthusiasts and now operated by Bristol Balloon Collectors); the Orient Express, which is making its way over from the Netherlands bringing a touch of railway magic to the Fiesta; and the Dalarna Horse, which is inspired by Sweden’s famous hand-painted wooden Dala Horse, this colourful special shape is a striking addition to the tethered display.
In-flight entertainment
As well as the much-loved mass ascents and Nightglows, the broad programme also includes In The Clouds, which invites people to step inside a cold-inflated hot air balloon for an immersive audio-visual experience on Bristol’s ballooning history and footage from a modern-day flight; the Flight Control screen that tracks each balloon flight in real-time; and visitors can Meet the Pilot in the arena, jumping into real baskets, trying the burger and taking an ultimate ballooning selfie.
The Fiesta’s breathtaking mass ascents are once again planned twice a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday – around 6am and again at 6pm. If conditions are favourable, expect one of Bristol’s most magical sights as hundreds of colourful balloons drift into the sky, creating an unforgettable spectacle watched by thousands of people from viewpoints across the city, as well as inside the Fiesta itself. Then as darkness falls on Friday and Saturday evenings, attention turns to the much-loved Nightglows. Dozens of tethered balloons illuminate the arena in time to a specially curated soundtrack from BBC Radio Bristol, making for one of the festival’s most atmospheric highlights.
Entry to the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is free, although, as a not-for-profit event, visitors are encouraged to support it by booking official parking in advance, upgrading with hospitality packages and buying up-close Nightglow tickets.
For full info and to book tickets visit bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk. Follow @bristolballoon on Instagram, X and Bristol Balloon Fiesta on Facebook for the latest news and updates.
