Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2026: Day One
Here's everything you need to know about the opening day of the Fiesta
Hot air balloon pilots in Bristol will be hoping for clear skies this Friday (7th August) for the 48th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta!
Gates open at Ashton Court at 5:30am in time for the first mass ascent at 6am (weather permitting).
Hundreds of thousands of visitors will descend on the festival for a weekend of balloons, entertainment, history and interactive activities.
What's on in 2026?
Festival-favourites will be returning to the 48th Fiesta, with mass ascents planned to take flight twice a day.
The popular nightglow will also return on Friday and Saturday night, with 12 balloons setting alight in time to music.
Visitors will get a chance to walk inside a half-inflated balloon as part of the "In The Clouds" experience. The immersive attraction will play archive footage of Bristol's ballooning past and replicate the soundscape of a pilot in flight.
Getting to the Fiesta
Once again the Balloon Fiesta is back at its home of Ashton Court.
Entry to the site is free but if you want to drive, car parking comes at a cost.
Walking and cycling to Ashton Court is encouraged, but a shuttle bus service is also available.
Services will run from Bristol Temple Meads and the City Centre to get people to the site and from Ashton Court for people leaving.
You can read more about getting to the fiesta here.
The weather
For hot air balloons to take to the skies, the right weather conditions are absolutely crucial.
Ideally we need to see dry conditions with only a little bit of wind, as too strong a breeze makes it difficult to control the balloon in the air, while too little wind means the balloons simply wouldn't go anywhere after take off.
Today is looking positive and forecast to be dry, warm and sunny.