Bristol Balloon Fiesta

The fiesta and kite festival pages cover the free major events that occur on the Ashton Court Estate.

Bristol Balloon Fiesta

Running each year from the 1st or 2nd Thursday in August to the following Sunday, the 4 days of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta are Ashton Courts biggest event by far.

The 2012 Fiesta runs from 9th to the 12th of August 2012. Timing below are from the 2011 Fiesta and will be confirmed closer to the event.

Dates & times for the 2012 fiesta

Thursday 9th Aug 2012	6:00pm special shapes 9:30pm night glow
Friday 10th Aug 2012	6:00am mass ascent 6:00pm mass ascent
Saturday 11th Aug 2012	6:00am mass ascent 12:00pm arena events start 6:00pm mass ascent 9:30pm night glow
Sunday 12th Aug 2012	6:00am mass ascent 12:00pm arena events start 6:00pm mass ascent

Photos from the 2011 Fiesta.

See the Balloon Fiesta website for full details of all events. There will be road closures too (not shown on Sat Navs), so check the event website if you intend to visit by car.

Note that while entry is free there are parking charges. You can support the Balloon Fiesta, which is a not for profit organisation by paying for official parking inside the estate.

Balloon launches are subject to weather, the special shape balloons in particular like light winds. If its to windy to launch there may a tethered inflation like the one below in gusty 2006.

A tethered inflation of the Special Shapes Rodeo.

To get a good idea of the flight path of any balloon launches see Wind Map Britain (external link).

Bertie Basset.