News / bristol balloon fiesta
Bristol Balloon Fiesta to return for 45th ‘sapphire’ year
Europe’s largest annual balloon fiesta will return to Ashton Court this summer, with plans underway to mark the festival’s 45th year anniversary.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta is free to attend, attracting over 100 hot air balloons and witnessed by over 500,000 people across the four days.
This year’s festival will see the return of mass ascents and two much-loved night glows, while entertainment on the grounds will keep families entertained throughout the day.
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Car parking tickets are now live, and this year will also see the return of the Fiesta shuttle bus, departing from Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Bus and Coach Station.
The spectacular show is set among the mansion grounds of Ashton Court, where visitors can bear witness to hundreds of hot air balloons of all shapes, sizes and colours, take to the skies at dusk and dawn.
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta’s night glow sees thousands of spectators descend on Ashton Court – photo: Paul Box
Two night glows will also take off from the grounds, where hot air balloons light up in time to a soundtrack on the Thursday and Saturday evening.
For those wanting to get up-close-and-personal with the balloons, the Sky Lounge will be making its VIP return for 2023.
Don Cameron, founder of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta said the event was an opportunity to give back to the communities of Bristol.
“We’re celebrating another year of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and are delighted to be back at our home grounds of Ashton Court once again,” he said.
“It’s a difficult time for a lot of people and it’s more important than ever to give the communities of Bristol a fantastic fiesta that’s free for everyone to attend.
“We’ve got all pilots crossing their fingers for blue skies and light winds as we set off to the skies.”
Main photo: Paul Box
Read next:
- Don Cameron on Bristol International Balloon Fiesta: ‘It’s like coming home’
- Permission granted for hot air balloons to take off from new location
- Bristol Balloon Fiesta returns with first mass ascent
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