Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
bristol international balloon fiesta annual four day free festival hot air ballooning bristol england team uk part world bring hot air balloon site participate mass ascent many balloon may launch time event first held building strong local tradition ballooning around bristol stretching back eighteenth century festival one largest europe common crowd four day festival take place large country estate ashton court mass launch made twice day pm subject weather condition balloon maker cameron balloon near fiesta site bedminster make many special shaped balloon included rupert bear scottish piper bertie bassett tesco trolley stuart minion bbc one balloon many shape also attended fiesta abroad year ufo beaver travelled u kiwi bird new zealand upside balloon netherlands past fiesta used held second week september due cancellation flight muddy ground bad weather moved start august great effect flight manage fly cancellation normally due high wind weight crowd returning balloon fiesta ashton court festival put great strain clifton suspension bridge decided close bridge traffic including pedestrian event onwards recent year event diversified include small scale air display attracting like blade typhoon display team red arrow august broke balloon fiesta record balloon landed one field near former somerdale factory keynsham record broken year later balloon landed former cadburys chocolate factory august balloon fiesta cancelled covid pandemic avoid gathering crowd ashton court however mass ascent event people watch distance oneoff fiesta flypast fiesta fortnight ascent one popular attraction night glow balloon inflated glow music dark held opening thursday night approx pm followed firework display another night glow time followed firework saturday night people see highlight fiesta list hot air balloon festival official website