Bristol Balloon Fiesta

The iconic Bristol International Balloon Fiesta returns in 2025 between 8 – 10 August for its 47th year!

This is a free to attend, three-day event that celebrates the city and its heritage links to the remarkable world of hot air ballooning, featuring over 100 hot air balloons from across the globe.

Read our guide to this year’s fiesta

The first confirmed special shape hot air balloons for this year include the UP balloon, Astro the Alien, Rupert the Bear and Slick the Dragon. And this year, all the way from Alburquerque, the incredible 143-foot tall Oggy the Friendly Dragon will make his first Bristol appearance!

Meet the Pilots is returning with extended sessions, where visitors can step inside the arena for a hands-on tour of how a balloon is prepared for flight, jump into a real basket, try out a burner blast, and take the ultimate ballooning selfie with a balloon team.

Step inside a cold-inflated balloon for immersive audio-visual experience In The Clouds, which recreates the sensation of being in flight, with a pilot’s-eye soundscape and video.

The event is free to attend but as a not-for-profit organisation Bristol International Ballooon Fiesta do charge for car parking to help cover operational costs.