For nearly five decades, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has been one of the greatest celebrations of hot-air balloons in the UK, if not the world. But it’s never seen anything like this before. Fiestagoers will find two brand-new attractions promising a taste of life among the clouds this year—and there’s no basket required.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be tucked inside a hot air balloon, here’s your chance to find out. A new immersive attraction, ‘In The Clouds’, will be open throughout the Fiest weekend, on all three days, inviting you to step inside a cold-inflated hot air balloon.
So what does it actually look like? You’ll wander around the inside of an inflated balloon, while an immersive soundscape and film celebrate Bristol’s rich ballooning heritage. The new attraction is free to enter, but visitors are encouraged to donate to the not-for-profit, free event if they are able.
The second new attraction, ‘Flight Control’, will let you experience a very different side of hot air ballooning. You’ll be able to see where the balloons are landing after taking off from the event’s launch field—a map will be populated with all the landing locations, highlighting the reach of the event beyond the Fiesta site.
What else should I know about Bristol International Balloon Fiesta?
In its 47th year, Bristol’s iconic, free-to-attend balloon festival returns to Ashton Court Estate from Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10. You should expect a jam-packed weekend filled with everything from iconic Night Glow events to a 100 hot air balloon mass ascents—scheduled for 6am and 6pm each day, weather permitting.
To learn more about Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, you can check out the whole schedule and more by heading here.