Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2024: Flight times, road closures and weather forecast - what you need to know

The three day event celebrates the city’s rich heritage in hot air ballooning and will be packed with entertainment, activities, food and hot air balloons.

The stunning event has been a steadfast in the UK’s event calendar for more than four decades.

This year, the Fiesta will be hosting the British National Hot Air Balloon Championships.

When is Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2024?

The festival will be taking place from August 9 to 11.

Where is Bristol International Balloon Fiesta taking place?

The Balloon Fiesta takes place on the rolling hills of Ashton Court on the outskirts of the city of Bristol.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2024 - Scheduled mass ascent

Over 100 hot air balloons have been registered for the mass ascents. The ascents are schedule to take place around 6am and 6pm on August 9, 10 and 11 (weather permitting).

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2024 - Nightglow

25 balloons will tether and light up in time to a soundtrack at 9pm on Friday and Saturday (August 9 and 10).

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2024- Line-up

Friday, August 9

- Scheduled Mass Ascent in Partnership with the Eco Scheme (Weather Permitting) at 6am

- British National Hot Air Balloon Championships at 7am

- Model Balloons at 8am

- Historic Balloons at 9am

- Thatchers Big Apple Race at 11.15am

- Brizzle Kicks (Children’s Entertainment stage) opens at noon

- Solent Stars Youth Motorbike Stunt Team at noon

- Moon Stage Opens at noon

- Historic Balloons at 1pm

-Bristol Bears at 2pm

- Inflation Race at 3pm

- Meet the Pilot at 4pm

- Model Planes at 4.45pm

- Solent Stars Youth Motorbike Stunt Team at 5.30pm

- Scheduled Mass Ascent in Partnership with the Eco Scheme (Weather Permitting) at 6pm

- Samba Band at 7pm

- Model Balloons Glow at 8pm

- Nightglow in Partnership with Airbus at 9pm

Help support journalism in Bristol - get the BristolWorld newsletter

Saturday, August 10

- Scheduled Mass Ascent in Partnership with the Eco Scheme (Weather Permitting) at 6am

- British National Hot Air Ballon Championships at 7am

- Model Balloons at 8am

- Historic Balloons at 9am

-Thatchers Big Apple Race at 10am

- Police Dog Display at 11am

- Brizzle Kicks ( Children’sEntertainment Stage) opens at noon

- Moon Stage Opens at noon

- Solent Stars Youth Motorbike Stunt Team at noon

- Historic Balloons at 1pm

- Meet the Pilot at 2pm

- Inflation Race at 3pm

- Model Planes at 3.30pm

- Solent Stars Youth Motorbike Stunt Team at 4.15pm

- Model Planes at 5pm

- Scheduled Mass Ascent in Partnership with the Eco Scheme (Weather Permitting) at 6pm

- Samba Band at 7pm

- Model Balloons Glow at 8pm

- Nightglow in Partnership with Airbus at 9pm

Sunday, August 11

- Scheduled Mass Ascent in Partnership with the Eco Scheme (Weather Permitting) at 6am

- British National Hot Air Ballon Championships at 7am

- Model Balloons at 8am

- Historic Balloons at 9am

-Thatchers Big Apple Race at 10am

- Police Dog Display at 11am

- Brizzle Kicks ( Children’sEntertainment Stage) opens at noon

- Moon Stage Opens at noon

- Solent Stars Youth Motorbike Stunt Team at noon

- Historic Balloons at 1pm

- Meet the Pilot at 2pm

- Inflation Race at 3pm

- Model Planes at 3.30pm

- Solent Stars Youth Motorbike Stunt Team at 4.15pm

- Model Planes at 5pm

- Scheduled Mass Ascent in Partnership with the Eco Scheme (Weather Permitting) at 6pm

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2024- Road Closures

The following roads will be closed during the Balloon Fiesta.

- Bower Ashton roundabout between 9.30pm and midnight on August 9 and 10.

- A370 between Winterstoke Way and Colliters Way roundabout (South Bristol Link Road) between 9.30pm and midnight on August 9 and 10.

- Abbots Leigh Road from 7pm to midnight on August 9, 10 and 11.

- Clanage Road from 7pm to midnight on August 9, 10 and 11.

- Longwood Lane from 7pm to midnight on August 9, 10 and 11.

- Clifton Suspension Bridge between 6pm and midnight on August 9 and 10.

- No waiting restrictions along Long Ashton Court

- B3128 from its junctions with the A370 to Longwood Lane from 9.30pm to 11.30pm on August 9, 10 and 11.

How to get to Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2024?

Where can you park for Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2024?

The Blue Car Park will open from 5am and the Red Car Park will open at 10am each day. Disabled and motorbike parking is also available, accessed via Orange Gate. Last entry to all car parks is strictly 5pm. Car Park tickets start at £10 and can be booked at https://www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/car-park-tickets

Shuttle Bus

The Fiesta Shuttle Bus will run between Bristol Temple Meads, Queen Square (Prince St, Stop Q2) and Balloon Fiesta. The service will run on Friday from 11.30am until 9pm to the Fiesta, and from midday until 11.30pm back to Bristol Temple Meads. On Saturday, the service will run from 10am until 9pm to the Fiesta, and run return journeys from midday to 11.30pm. On Sunday, the service will run from 10am until 7pm to the Fiesta and return journeys will operate from 10.30am until 9.30pm. Tickets for the Fiesta Shuttle Bus can be booked at https://www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/shuttle-bus-tickets

Train

The closest train station to Ashton Court Estate is Bristol Temple Meads, which is served by the Fiesta Shuttle Bus to easily plan direct onward travel to the Fiesta.

Taxi

The designated drop-off/pick-up location is at the Long Ashton Park and Ride point, which is a short walk from the event site.

By Bicycle

Cyclists can take the “Festival Way”, a traffic-free path connecting the city to Ashton Court Estate and beyond. Starting in Bristol, cyclists can use the National Cycling Route 33, which takes you on a traffic-free path from Queens Square out of the city via Cumberland Road. Upon crossing the River Avon, you join Kennel Lodge Road as you enter Ashton Court. Bike parking is available on-site by the Mansion House and the Fallow Deer Park.

On Foot

For those on foot, there are two main routes into the Fiesta site from Bristol City Centre: via Festival Way or via the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Festival Way, Route 33 on the Cycle Route Network, offers a scenic walk from the city centre.

What is the weather forecast for Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2024?

According to the Met Office, there will be sunny intervals changing to partly cloudy by night time, with highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C on August 9.

BBC Weather predict sunny intervals and a moderate breeze, with highs of 20°C and lows of 14°C.

On Saturday, the Met Office forecasts overcast changing to sunny intervals by late morning, with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C.

However, BBC Weather predicts drizzle and a gentle breeze, with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C.

Sunday will be the warmest day according to the Met Office which predicts sunny weather with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C.

Similarly, BBC Weather predicts sunny intervals and a gentle breeze with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C.

How much does it cost to go to Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2024? - Tickets

The Fiesta is free and unticketed.

Access to the Sky Lounge is ticketed and starts £12.50 and offers complimentary wi-fi, private toilets and seating from a great vantage point as well as children’s games, art and crafts available from Junkfish. The Morning Launch session includes a breakfast pastry and soft drink from a buffet selection. Nightglow includes a complimentary drink and entertainment post Nightglow until 11pm. Launch Field Access gives visitors the chance to head out onto the launch field during Nightglows.

Tickets for the tables at the Pasture start from £125 (per table of up to 6 people). Pasture Breakfast includes a delicious breakfast and bottomless tea and coffee. Pasture Lunch includes a 2-course lunch and Pasture Sunday Lunch includes Pasture’s signature roasts right next to the Fiesta arena. Pasture Dinner includes a 2-course meal and Pasture Nightglow Dinner includes a glass of bubbly and 4 exquisite courses of Pasture favourites as well as dished created especially for the event.

Tickets can be booked at https://www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk/visitor-information/hospitality