There's no sight quite like seeing the skies fill up with colour during Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. This quintessentially Bristolian event is a firm favourite on the city's cultural calendar and has been greatly missed over the past few years.
The festival is making an anticipated return to Ashton Court this year after the Covid pandemic forced organisers to cancel the festival in 2020 and 2021. But residents were treated to special community flyovers last summer, and the festival teased its triumphant return on Monday (August 1) with some pre-festival flights from Vassells Park in Fishponds and Cleve Rugby Club in Emersons Green.
From Thursday, August 11, festivalgoers will be heading back to its familiar Long Ashton spot where some 100 balloons from around the world will be launched, with approximately 500,000 visitors expected across the four-day period. The event has been free of charge since it was founded in 1979, made possible this year by the festival's sponsorship from Costa Coffee.
Read more: Balloons float over Bristol this morning ahead of next week's celebrations
So from August 11-14, expect the Bristol skies to come to life as dozens of balloons make their way across the city. While there are no free bus shuttles to the festival this year, here is all the useful travel information to help you plan your journey to this year's Balloon Fiesta.
Car
Ashton Court is located south west of the city centre and the festival will be providing a number of different car parking zones. Those looking to drive this year must purchase a car park ticket in advance. The festival has said these tickets are single entry only and non-refundable in the event that the balloons don't fly.
Blue car parks are the closest to the event site, along with the disabled parking provisions. This year, organisers have introduced a morning-only car parking ticket for those just wishing to visit the morning ascent and this parking will be within the Blue Car Park.
Drivers have been advised against using Sat Nav devices and follow event road signage or what3words references to the correct car park. What3words is a proprietary geocode system designed to identify any location, with the app dividing the world into 3-metre squares and giving each square a unique combination of three words. It’s the easiest way to find and share exact locations.
Disabled car parking
Visitors are strongly advised to book a ticket in the Disabled Car Park area in advance to guarantee a space. A Disabled Blue Badge Parking Permit will be required to park within this area and the permit holder must also be present.
Car park tickets can be purchased here.
Car park opening times
Thursday: Car park opens at 12.00pm along with all the activities and traders on site. The last entry to the car park is 5pm ahead of the mass ascent at 6pm. Car park closes at midnight after the nightglow.
Friday: Car park opens at 5.30am ahead of the mass ascent at 6.00am. The last entry to the car park is 5pm ahead of the mass ascent at 6pm. Car park closes at 9pm after the mass ascent.
Saturday: Car park opens at 5.30am ahead of the mass ascent at 6.00am. The last entry to the car park is 5pm ahead of the mass ascent at 6pm. Car park closes at midnight after the nightglow.
Sunday: Car park opens at 5.30am ahead of the mass ascent at 6.00am. Last entry to the car park is 5pm ahead of the mass ascent at 6pm. Car park closes at 9pm after the mass ascent.
Train
The closest train station to the Fiesta is Bristol Temple Meads served by Great Western Rail. Ongoing rail improvements in the Severn Tunnel will affect train services running between South Wales and Bristol during the Bristol Balloon Fiesta on Sunday, August 14, until midday.
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Bike
Those wishing to cycle can take ‘Festival Way’ - a traffic-free path connecting the city to Ashton Court Estate and beyond. Starting in Bristol, you can use the National Cycling Route 33, which takes you on a traffic-free path from Queens Square out of the city via Cumberland Road.
Crossing the River Avon you join Kennel Lodge Road as you enter Ashton Court. There is bike parking available on-site by the Mansion House and the Fallow Deer Park.
Walking
Clifton Suspension Bridge will be closed between 6.00pm until midnight on Thursday, August 11 and Saturday, August 13. The festival advises the best walking route is to follow signs to Festival Way, which takes you to Bedminster via a pedestrian walking route where you can connect to public transport.
Taxi
If you're arriving by taxi, organisers have advised visitors to ask the taxi driver to follow the road signs to the designated drop off/pick up location, which is a short walk from the event site.
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