Bristol Balloon Fiesta: what you need to know

Credit: ITV West Country

The hot air balloon event is set to attract thousands of people to Bristol.

Here is what you need to know if you're planning to attend this year's event:

Parking

There are three areas of parking:

  • premium parking

  • main parking

  • disabled parking

Tickets can be bought for each from the official Bristol International Balloon Fiesta website. Caravans and motorhomes will not be allowed to park at any of the Balloon Fiesta car parks. Last entry to the official car parks is 5pm for the evening air lift.

Shuttle bus

There will be a shuttle bus from Temple Meads Train Station and the City Centre (St Augustine’s Parade – opposite Colston Street) to the Balloon Fiesta. Tickets can be bought on the service.

The Clifton suspension bridge will be closed to all vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians from 6pm until midnight on Thursday 10 and Saturday 12 August.

Balloon air lift times

The hot air balloon lifts will take place early morning at 6am on Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August, and in the evening at 6pm.

Entertainment

There will be five bars available to the public and hot food outlets, where people will be able to get breakfast.

The balloons

Among the 130 hot air ballooons, there are 10 new balloons and shapes to look out for this year:

  • Thatchers hot air balloon

  • Belvoir juice drop

  • ‘Spirit of Jess’ balloon

  • The world’s very first solar-hybrid hot air balloon (carrying the Bristol Energy logo)

  • Minion hot air balloon

  • The Stowell’s Wine Box special shape

  • Maxwell House Flying Coffee Jar.

  • Mr. Peanut Man

  • Simbaloo the Longleat Lion

  • The giant red Ricoh cube

Best places to watch

If you cannot get to the Ashton Court Estate, or would rather watch the hot air balloons take flight from further away, then you could catch a good view from one of the following places:

  • Bedminster Down

  • Clifton Downs - perhaps by the Sea Wall

  • Perrett's Park

  • Dundry Hill

  • Clifton Observatory

  • Victoria Park

  • The Harbourside

  • Brandon Hill

Ride a balloon

Details and tickets for riding on a hot air balloon can be gotten from the official Bristol International Balloon Fiesta website.

Are you attending this year? Send us your photos and videos by emailing us at westcountry@itv.com, or by sending them to us on Facebook or Twitter.