Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2022: The complete guide
Bristol's most famous event is back for the first time since 2019
Last updated 10th Aug 2022
For the first time in three years because of coronavirus, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is back!
The event, which sees hundreds of hot air balloons take to the skies over Bristol across four days, is due to take place from this Thursday to Sunday (August 11-14).
Mass ascents are scheduled every day including two on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, while Nightglows are planned on the Thursday and Saturday evenings.
Consider this your extensive guide to all things Fiesta.
The site
For the first time since 2019 the Fiesta is back at its usual home of Ashton Court.
The coronavirus pandemic meant the event did not happen at all in 2020, while in 2021 a "Fiesta Fortnight" was held instead, featuring mass ascents (albeit on a smaller scale to normal) from multiple locations all around Bristol over two weeks.
To avoid crowds gathering, last year's lifts were arranged in secret and only announced several hours beforehand, but this time in a return to normal the planned flights have been publicised well in advance and crowds are encouraged to come and take in the spectacle.
The grounds of Ashton Court will be packed with food and drink stalls including five public bars, plus family activities and live music across a children's area and a main bandstand.
For the first time this year the Fiesta will also boast a VIP "Sky Lounge", offering paying customers an up close view of the action from a private enclosure, also featuring a private bar, street food and private toilets.
There is parking on site at a cost, with most visitors encouraged to arrive either on foot or by bike.
If you want to buy tickets for either the Sky Lounge or parking you can do so here.
The schedule
The Fiesta will officially open at 12pm on Thursday, with hot air balloons due to be tethered to the ground in the main arena all afternoon.
The first mass ascent is scheduled for 6pm and will take place (weather permitting) in memory of hot air balloon pilot and regular Fiesta attendee Phil Dunnington, before a Nightglow and fireworks starting at 9pm.
The full schedule is as follows:
Thursday
12pm - Fiesta Opens
12:30pm - Tethered balloons and model balloons feature in the main arena
3pm - Hot air balloon teams inflation race
4pm - Sky dive
6pm - First mass ascent
8:30pm - Model balloons miniature glow
9pm - Nightglow
Throughout the day from 12pm till 6pm children's entertainers will also be performing on the new Brizzle Kicks stage, while live music will start on the bandstand at 2pm, with the last act due on at 6pm.
Friday
6am - Second mass ascent (featuring up to 100 balloons of different shapes and sizes)
11:30am - Model balloons in the main arena
12pm - Model planes take to the skies
1pm - Tethered balloons in the main arena
3:30pm - Hot air balloon teams inflation race
4pm - Sky dive
6pm - Third mass ascent
Children's entertainers will once again be performing on the Brizzle Kicks stage from 12pm till 6pm, while the bandstand will feature live music from 2pm-6pm.
Saturday
6am - Fourth mass ascent (featuring up to 100 balloons of different shapes and sizes)
10am - Great Western Air Ambulance Charity helicopter tours
11am - Model balloons in the main arena
11:30am - Broke FMX motorbike display team performance
12pm - Model planes take to the skies
1pm - Tethered balloons in the main arena
2pm - Hot air balloon teams inflation race
4pm - Sky dive
5pm - Broke FMX motorbike display team performance
6pm - Fifth mass ascent
9pm - Nightglow
Children's entertainers will again be performing on the Brizzle Kicks stage, this time from 11am-6pm, while the bandstand will feature live music from 12:30pm-6:30pm.
Sunday
6am - Sixth mass ascent
11am - Model planes take to the skies
11:30am - Model balloons in the main arena
12:30pm - Broke FMX motorbike display team performance
1pm - Tethered balloons in the main arena
2pm - Hot air balloon teams inflation race
4pm - Sky dive
5pm - Broke FMX motorbike display team performance
6pm - Seventh and final mass ascent
Children's entertainers will be on the Brizzle Kicks stage from 12pm-6pm, while the bandstand will feature live music from 1pm-6pm.
Visitor information
This year getting to Ashton Court could prove more of a problem than in previous years as a shuttle bus service will not be provided from across Bristol.
In a statement published in July organisers blamed a national shortage of bus drivers, while saying they would extend the availability of cheaper parking tickets until the end of that month.
Fiesta Operations Director Ben Hardy said at the time they had exhausted all possible alternatives and encouraged people to either walk or cycle to the venue instead.
For the first time, for pedestrian safety and to help with traffic flow, the A370 will be closed in both directions from Winterstoke Road to the South Bristol Link Road on Thursday and Saturday night after the nightglow finishes at 10pm, until midnight.
Meanwhile as already mentioned there is car parking on site, but at a cost.
On Thursday a space in the Fiesta's main "Red" car park will set you back £22 if you missed the initial release price, while a spot in the Blue car park will cost you £29.70.
Motorbike parking is cheaper, while prices do vary slightly depending on the day you book for.
There is no campsite at the Fiesta this year, while caravans and motorhomes in the event car parks are banned.
To prevent parking on the roads around the site there will also be various road closures in place including on Kennel Lodge Road, in Leigh Woods and Long Ashton, with access only allowed for residents.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge will also shut on the Thursday and Saturday evenings from 6pm until midnight, to both traffic and pedestrians.
The Weather
It is a common joke in Bristol that whenever the Fiesta is on it is bound to rain, but that will not be the case this year.
Sunshine and temperatures above 30 degrees are forecast every day, so those going are advised to wear suncream, hats and take plenty of water.
The wind speeds forecast are also currently low, meaning we will be crossing our fingers that all seven mass ascents go ahead.
Poor weather during the last edition in 2019 meant only one mass ascent took place, on the opening morning.
This time it is hot sunny weather causing some problems.
Fireworks displays that were planned to end proceedings on Thursday and Saturday have both been cancelled, because of the dry ground and the risk of wildfires.
Charity
This year the Fiesta's official charity partners are the Great Western Air Ambulance (GWAAC) and the Teenage Cancer Trust.
As such both charities will have a presence at the event, including GWAAC helicopter tours on Saturday morning, while each charity will be fundraising at the Saturday and Thursday Nightglows respectively.
As usual entrance to the Fiesta itself is free.
If you want to find more information head to the Fiesta website here.