Bristol International Balloon Fiesta Hits Inner City

The balloons seen from St Jude’s

Five out of six mass ascents for the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta this 2026 is a stunning success. The will they, won’t they game sees an entire city travelling to spots around Bristol in the hopes of balloons gliding their way.

The 300,000 people that made their way to the showground in Ashton Court, got to see balloons setting up before lift off. There were also two night glows. The Saturday night one was so popular that the grounds closed to people nearly three hours before the event.

This year’s fiesta was improved by the GWR tracking app, which held up for all but one mass ascent.

@chopsybristoltt The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta 2026. The Mass Ascent AM on 09/08/2026 from St Jude’s #bristolinternationalballoonfiesta #hotairballoon #bristol #bristoluk #bristollife ♬ The Combine Harvester (2001 Remix) – The Wurzels

The mass ascent on Sunday 09 August in the morning from Pennywell Road in St Jude’s

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