Bristol Air Balloon Festival: The skies above Bristol are set to become a sea of colour this weekend as the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta returns to Ashton Court Estate from Friday, August 7, to Sunday, August 9. More than 100 hot air balloons are expected to take part in the three-day celebration, while visitors can also enjoy live entertainment, family activities, food stalls and evening displays.
For anyone planning to attend, the biggest challenge may not be finding something to watch but deciding when to arrive and how to travel. Morning and evening mass ascents are planned throughout the weekend, while the famous Nightglow returns on Friday and Saturday. Weather will play a major role in whether balloons actually take flight, with final decisions made close to launch time.
The event is free to attend, but visitors driving to Ashton Court must arrange official parking in advance. Road closures and diversions will also affect routes around the estate, while the Clifton Suspension Bridge will close during the Friday and Saturday Nightglow evenings.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: When and Where Is the Event?
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta will take place from Friday, August 7, to Sunday, August 9, 2026, at Ashton Court Estate, just outside Bristol.
The three-day event remains free to attend and combines balloon displays with live music, family entertainment, food, traders and other attractions. Organisers expect more than 100 balloons to participate in the scheduled mass ascents.
The festival has become one of Bristol’s biggest annual summer events, attracting large crowds to watch balloons rise above the city and surrounding countryside.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: What Time Do the Balloons Fly?
The main balloon launches are planned twice a day throughout the weekend.
The scheduled mass ascent times are:
- Morning: Around 6 am
- Evening: Around 6 pm
However, these are only planned times. Balloon flights depend heavily on weather conditions, particularly wind.
Organisers make the final decision shortly before each launch after pilots assess the conditions. This means visitors should not assume that a scheduled ascent will automatically take place.
The official programme also warns that timings can change because of weather.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: Friday Schedule
Friday marks the opening day of the festival.
The first mass ascent is scheduled for 6 am, giving early visitors the chance to see more than 100 balloons prepare for launch.
The main arena will then host entertainment throughout the day, including family activities, live music and balloon-related displays.
A second mass ascent is planned for around 6 pm, weather permitting.
The Friday programme also includes the RAF Falcons Display Team at approximately 4.30 pm. The day will finish with the first Nightglow of the weekend at around 9 pm.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: Saturday Schedule
Saturday will follow a similar pattern, with a morning mass ascent scheduled for 6 am and another planned for 6 pm.
Visitors can also expect model balloon and aircraft displays, family activities, live entertainment and other arena performances.
The RAF Falcons are scheduled to return at approximately 4.30 pm.
The second Nightglow will begin at around 9 pm, when tethered balloons will illuminate in sequence alongside music.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: Sunday Schedule
Sunday will bring the final day of the 2026 Fiesta.
A morning mass ascent is scheduled for approximately 6 am, followed by daytime entertainment and family activities.
The final evening ascent is planned for around 6 pm, weather permitting.
Unlike Friday and Saturday, Sunday does not have a scheduled Nightglow. The programme instead includes attractions such as the Rockets Motorcycle Display Team and special-shaped balloons.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: Nightglow Timings and Bridge Closure
The Nightglow remains one of the biggest attractions of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
The displays will take place on:
- Friday, August 7 — around 9 pm
- Saturday, August 8 — around 9 pm
During the Nightglow, balloons inflate and remain tethered in the main arena while their burners create a glowing display timed to music. The official event programme says up to 25 balloons can take part in the main Nightglow display.
Visitors should also be aware of a major travel change.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge will close to vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists from 6 pm until midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Anyone planning to use the bridge should therefore make alternative arrangements for the journey home.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: RAF Falcons and Special Displays
The Fiesta will offer more than hot air balloons this year.
The RAF Falcons Display Team is scheduled to perform at around 4.30 pm on Friday and Saturday. The team is known for its parachute displays and high-speed free-fall manoeuvres.
The event programme also includes other aerial and ground-based attractions across the weekend, giving visitors plenty to watch even if weather conditions prevent a balloon launch.
This is important because ballooning depends on conditions that can change quickly.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: What Happens If Balloons Cannot Fly?
Visitors should not assume that a cancelled balloon flight means the day is over.
Organisers have built a full programme of entertainment around the balloon displays. Visitors can watch balloon inflation activities, meet pilots, enjoy live music and see stunt and model displays.
The official Fiesta information says the event continues with entertainment, traders, exhibitors, caterers and activities even when weather conditions prevent balloons from flying.
This gives families and other visitors plenty of alternatives if wind or other conditions stop an ascent.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: Traffic and M5 Delays
The huge crowds expected at Ashton Court could create significant pressure on roads around Bristol and North Somerset.
Visitors arriving from the north are advised to use M5 Junction 19 and the A369, while those travelling from the south can use M5 Junction 21 and the A370 before following event signs.
Drivers should expect delays, diversions and temporary road restrictions around Ashton Court.
The official Fiesta guidance also tells drivers not to rely solely on sat-nav directions and to follow event traffic signs.
The advice is particularly important around the evening mass ascent and Nightglow, when large numbers of people are likely to leave the site at the same time.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: Where Can Visitors Park?
Although entry to the Fiesta is free, official car parking is not available without booking.
Visitors who plan to drive must purchase a parking ticket before arriving. The official car parks operate with single-entry tickets, and no parking tickets are available at the gate.
The Blue Car Park is close to the main Fiesta site, while the Red Car Park provides another public parking option.
Disabled parking is available through the Orange Gate for visitors with the required Blue Badge.
Organisers advise visitors to arrive early, particularly if they want to attend one of the morning mass ascents.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: Public Transport and Alternative Travel
Visitors who want to avoid traffic can consider public transport, cycling or walking.
A shuttle bus service will connect Bristol Temple Meads and the city centre with the Fiesta, while cyclists can use the Festival Way and parts of the National Cycle Route 33.
Walking is also possible from parts of Bristol, although visitors should expect busy routes during peak periods.
The event’s travel guidance recommends planning the return journey as carefully as the outward journey because large crowds can create queues after the evening displays.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: What Can Visitors Do Besides Watching Balloons?
The Fiesta offers activities throughout the day, meaning visitors do not need to wait for the next ascent.
The programme includes:
- Live music
- Family entertainment
- Meet the Pilots sessions
- Balloon inflation activities
- Tethered balloon displays
- Model balloon and aircraft displays
- Stunt performances
- Food and drink stalls
- Traders and exhibitors
- Children’s entertainment
The event also features the immersive In The Clouds attraction, which allows visitors to experience the inside of a cold-inflated hot air balloon.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: What Visitors Can Bring
Visitors can bring their own food and drink to the Fiesta, although food stalls and bars will operate across the site.
Dogs are allowed but must remain on leads because of the large crowds and the presence of balloons.
Organisers also advise visitors to prepare for a full day outdoors by carrying water, wearing suitable clothing and using sun protection when needed.
Disposable barbecues are not permitted because of the current conditions.
Drones are also prohibited at the event.
Bristol Air Balloon Festival: Organisers’ Message to Visitors
Ben Hardy, executive director of Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, said:
“The Fiesta is all about creating unforgettable memories, and a little preparation can make a big difference.
“We want everyone to enjoy a safe, comfortable and fun-filled day, whether they’re joining us at sunrise, spending the whole day with family and friends, or staying into the evening for the Nightglow.”
His message reflects the main challenge for visitors this weekend: planning.
With large crowds expected, advance parking arrangements, awareness of road closures and flexibility around weather-related flight decisions could make the difference between a stressful trip and a smooth Fiesta experience.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2026: What Should Visitors Know Before Going?
The biggest point to remember is that the Fiesta’s headline attractions depend on the weather.
The scheduled 6 am and 6 pm balloon ascents may change or be cancelled if conditions are unsafe. Visitors should therefore check the official Fiesta updates before setting out.
Those attending the Nightglow should arrive early because Friday and Saturday evenings are expected to be particularly busy.
Drivers should book parking in advance, follow temporary traffic signs and allow extra time for their journeys.
For anyone travelling through Bristol during the weekend, the Clifton Suspension Bridge closure between 6 pm and midnight on Friday and Saturday is another important restriction to keep in mind.
With more than 100 balloons, evening Nightglows, parachute displays and a packed programme on the ground, the 2026 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is set to turn Ashton Court into one of the South West’s busiest summer attractions from August 7 to 9.
