Lift off! Balloons take off from central Bristol to highlight 2024 Fiesta
This year's edition of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will go ahead from 9th-11th August
Last updated 24th Jul 2024
Several hot air balloons have taken off from the centre of Bristol this morning to start the final countdown to this year's Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.
The 46th edition of the event is due to run from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th August in its usual home of Ashton Court, with balloons taking to the skies today (24 July) from College Green and Queen Square.
If you're in or around Bristol early this morning, be sure to keep your eyes on the skies!
This year's Fiesta
Officially, this year's edition will last for three days, down from four in 2023, with 120 different balloons registered to fly.
Mass ascents are planned twice daily at 6am and 6pm, weather permitting as is usual during the Fiesta.
However, in changes from the usual schedule, the 2024 Fiesta will also host the British National Hot Air Balloon Championships, which will see around 15 balloon teams compete twice a day to complete various tasks directly over the Fiesta grounds.
The event's iconic Nightglows will also return on the Friday and Saturday nights, when the balloon teams use their burners to light up the night sky in time to music and in the days before the official Fiesta starts, from Monday 5th August to Thursday 8th, several ascents are planned from as yet unknown locations around Bristol, to celebrate unsung work being done by community heroes.
Earlier this year members of the public were able to nominate locations and people who they thought should be honoured.
You can find out much more about what is planned for the 2024 Fiesta via the event's website here.