Sky's The Limit: Bristol International Balloon Fiesta soars for its 48th year

The skies were filled with colour this weekend, as the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, in partnership with Albert Goodman, marked its 48th year under the theme 'Sky's The Limit’, once again proving why Bristol is the world's ballooning capital.

From Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August, an estimated 300,000 spectators flocked to the rolling hills of Ashton Court Estate to experience five stunning mass ascents, almost 400 balloon flights, two Nightglows and three world record attempts. 

This year’s Fiesta marked its biggest balloon line-up in years, with over 120 hot air balloons registered, and over 20 special shapes. In the ballooning arena, a host of balloons made their first debuts including Pasture, Chery, Send My Bag’s suitcase and Google’s Gemini balloon. Balloon teams came from around the world, with the first Bristol appearance of Smiley Scarecrow all the way from the US, the Festival del Globo balloon from Leon, Mexico, the Dalarna Horse, Orient Express and Football from the Netherlands. These new sights were joined by returning international balloons, the Wera Screwdriver from Germany and the Saint Nikks and TIMS balloons from Belgium. 
Friday morning started with the start of three world record attempts, as Bristol balloonist, Jo Bailey completed her attempt, making over 60 ascents in a tethered hopper hot air balloon in one hour, and Charlie Timbrell from Fly Alien tethered a hot air balloon on his own for 13 hours and 30 minutes straight. The unofficial US record stands at just over 10 hours. Send My Bag also commenced their world record attempt with the first flight of the new, huge suitcase special shape which now will go on to try and fly in an additional 19 countries within 12 months.  

Ben Hardy, executive director, commented: “It has been an exceptional year for flying, for partnerships, for public support and for the stars of show the balloonists. The magic they bring to this field and carry across the city is hard to express in words. 

“We are so grateful to Bristol City Council for granting us use of our home, Ashton Court Estate, and all our partners and sponsors. This event is only possible with the incredible support we receive. For that, thank you. Thank you for making it possible for us to continue delivering this free to attend event for the city and beyond, 48 years since it first began.” 

Elsewhere on site, In the Clouds the immersive, cold-inflated balloon experience gave visitors an immersive way to explore the city's ballooning story, complete with a new museum board walkway, while Flight Control, run in partnership with GWR, tracked every flight live as pilots logged their landing spots, extending the Fiesta's reach to further afield in the city.  

Family activities were front and centre as usual. The Pony Farm Bus, a new collaboration between The Pony restaurant and food distributor Arthur David, made its Fiesta debut with hands-on workshops on food provenance, while The James Dyson Foundation returned to the Elevation Hub with STEM challenges for young engineers.

Bristol Hippodrome and Back to the Future the Musical promoted the up and coming run of the musical hosting a DeLorean on site which assisted with the mass ascent announcement on Saturday evening. The new Fiesta Family Zone gave younger visitors a dedicated space of their own, and live entertainment ran throughout on the Moon Stage curated by BIMM Institute Bristol and the Brizzle Kicks Stage, hosted by Party Peeps in the Nivea Sun Family Stage Partner.  

Now in year three of a five-year strategy to safeguard the Fiesta's long-term future, the event remains free to attend, a principle that has held since it began 48 years ago. Headline partner Albert Goodman, the Southwest accounting and financial planning firm, marked the second year of its three-year partnership with the Fiesta this weekend. 

Robin Clempson, partner, marketing and product development at Albert Goodman, added: "What an incredible weekend for the second year of our headline partnership with Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.  
“To see our own Albert Goodman hot air balloon take part in the mass ascents for the first time was amazing and we are so grateful to the people of Bristol for sending so many beautiful photographs. We are already excited for next year and the third year of our partnership with this iconic Bristol event."   

On the food and drink front, Bristol-founded restaurant Pasture returned with its ticketed dining experience overlooking the main arena, its grab-and-go PRIME concept, and the Sky Lounge hospitality area. 

The 48th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has been kindly supported by Albert Goodman, Butcombe Brewing Co, Thatchers, GWR, Bristol City Council, Nivea Sun, Chery, SLX, CAB IT, REM Events, Bristol BID, BBC Radio Bristol, The James Dyson Foundation, The Motorhome Holiday Company, Cameron Balloons, Grandir UK, Party Peeps, Woven, BIMM University, What’s On Bristol, Stagecoach, Marriott Bristol Royal, Visit West, Leonardo Hotels, Bristol Grammar School, The Bristol, Holiday Inn Bristol Airport, CMC Marquees, The Waiting Game, Doubletree by Hilton 
 
Beyond the arena, acres of the Ashton Court estate played host to traders, exhibitors, caterers and activities for visitors to explore across the weekend. 

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk, or follow @bristolballoon on Instagram and X, and @bristolinternationalballoonfiesta on Facebook.