The one and only Bristol International Balloon Fiesta!
Posted on: 29 Jun 2017Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is the largest in Europe and has been running for 38 years. It starts on Thursday the 10th and ends on Sunday the 13th August 2017 at Ashton Court Estate. There are 150 hot air balloons from across the globe to see and entry is free. This is an event for the whole family that people of all ages will never forget.
On Thursday the balloon flight starts at 6 p.m. but you should be there earlier to grab some breakfast or walk around the field and see how the balloons will be tethered. In the evening there is the nightglow with 25 balloons that turn into big light bulbs. To let this wonderful first day come to an end there is a fantastic firework display. According to the motto “The early bird catches the worm” the second day starts at 6 a.m. with a mass hot air balloon lift. But if you don’t want to get up in the middle of the night you can still watch another flight. On Saturday afternoon there is arena entertainment and of course some balloon lifts. Like on Thursday there is the nightglow and the fireworks once again. On the last day of the fiesta there is a hot air balloon competition like on the other days too, and the event closes at 8:30 p.m.
You can get involved: flights in one of the balloons on site are available but they obviously sell out pretty quickly! Check out www.bristolballoons.co.uk for more info.
Entry to the whole event is free but to guarantee a parking space for your car you have to buy a ticket. Please note that motorhomes and caravans are not allowed.
Words by Sophie Mueller and Florian Pfister
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
