Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2023: The Complete Guide
Perhaps Bristol's most iconic event is back yet again
Prepare yourselves for early starts and (hopefully) colourful skies because the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is back.
The 45rd edition will begin in its usual home of Ashton Court on Thursday 10 August and finish on Sunday 13 August, with seven mass ascents planned across the four days.
This will be the second time the Fiesta has gone ahead in its traditional form since the Coronavirus pandemic and the first since Covid to boast shuttle buses taking people to and from Bristol city centre.
Last year such a bus service was not possible because of a national shortage of drivers.
There will also be a formal mass ascent on Thursday evening for the first time this year.
Chris Allcock, chairman of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Organising Committee said: "Everyone is very excited and we want it to happen and we want it to happen now.
"We're building (the site) now, we've been building in the wet which is annoying but we are building and the weather is looking, I hate to say it, really, really rather good for the weekend."
The event itself is free to attend although if you want to drive to the site official car parking comes at a cost.
Car parking tickets can be purchased via this link and can cost up to £30 depending on when you book.
As well as the mass ascents, which always take place at either 6am or 6pm, there is other kinds of entertainment on all day including live music, fairground rides and even sky dives into the main arena.
Often attracting around 100,000 people over the course of the four days, National Highways are urging drivers to allow extra time for journeys passing Ashton Court.
Kathryn Wiltshire, National Highways’ network planning officer for the South West, said: “We’re reminding road users to plan ahead during the Balloon Fiesta – roads leading to the event are likely to be very busy.
"Our aim is to keep the National Highways network running while keeping fiesta goers and other road users safe and informed.
"We advise people to check our traffic and travel information channels, set off early and allow plenty of time.”
Several road closures are enforced immediately surrounding the Fiesta site from 7pm each evening incuding the A369 Abbots Leigh Road, A369 Clanage Road and Longwood Lane.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge will also be shut to both pedestrians and traffic from 6pm until midnight on Thursday and Saturday.
The Weather
You won't need me to tell you that the weather lately has been atrocious.
July was significantly wetter than average across England, with 120.4mm of rain falling nationwide.
There was also 19 percent fewer hours of sunshine compared to average.
Thankfully we look set for a much drier and sunnier week ahead, with high temperatures of 25 degrees currently forecast for the Fiesta's opening day.
If there is to be an issue it looks as if it could be caused by wind, as ballooning requires just a light breeze.
Gusts pushing 30mph are currently being forecast by the Met Office on both Friday and Saturday.
Charity
Every year the Fiesta has an official charity partner and this year it is the Teenage Cancer Trust.
The Trust is the only charity in the UK dedicated to meeting the needs of teenagers and young adults fighting cancer, with seven young people aged 13-24 diagnosed every day.
In the West Country there are two specialist facilities at Bristol Children’s Hospital and Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre and an extensive outreach programme across the South West.
As the official charity partner the Trust will have a presence on site every day, with events planned including a tombola, raffle and children’s activities.
The schedule
You can see a full schedule for the main arena at the event, below:
Thursday
12pm - Gates open
1pm-3pm - Model balloons on display
2pm-4pm - Historic balloon tethering
3pm-4pm - A chance to meet the hot air balloon flight teams
4pm-5pm - Army parachute display team performs
5pm-6pm - Model plane flights
5pm-6pm - Special shapes tethering
6pm-7pm - First mass ascent featuring up to 100 balloons
7pm-8pm - Model plane flights
8pm-9pm - Model balloons glow
9pm-10pm - First nightglow
Friday
6am-7am - Second mass ascent featuring up to 100 balloons
7am-9:30am - Historic balloons inflated
7am-9am - Model balloons on display
12:30pm-1:30pm - Model plane flights
1:30pm-4pm - Historic balloon tethering
3pm-4pm - A chance to meet the hot air balloon flight teams
4pm-5pm - Army parachute display team performs
4:30pm-5:30pm - Bristol Bears rugby skills
4:45pm-5:30pm - Balloon inflation race
6pm-7pm - Third mass ascent featuring up to 100 balloons
Saturday
6am-7am - Fourth mass ascent featuring up to 100 balloons
7am-9:30am - Historic balloons inflated
7am-9am - Model balloons on display
12:30pm-1:30pm - Model plane flights
1:30pm-4pm - Historic balloon tethering
2pm-3pm - Model balloons on display
3pm-4pm - A chance to meet the hot air balloon flight teams
4pm-5pm - Army parachute display team performs
4:45pm-5:30pm - Balloon inflation race
5pm-6pm - Model plane flights
6pm-7pm - Fifth mass ascent featuring up to 100 balloons
8pm-9pm - Model balloons glow
9pm-10pm - Second nightglow
Sunday
6am-7am - Sixth mass ascent featuring up to 100 balloons
7am-9am - Model balloons on display
7am-9:30am - Historic balloons inflated
12:30pm-1:30pm - Model plane flights
1:30pm-4pm - Historic balloon tethering
2pm-3pm - Model balloons on display
3pm-4pm - A chance to meet the hot air balloon flight teams
4pm-5pm - Army parachute display team performs
4:45pm-5:30pm - Balloon inflation race
5pm-6pm - Model plane flights
6pm-7pm - Seventh mass ascent featuring up to 100 balloons
You can find out even more about the Fiesta on the official website here.