Bristol Balloon Fiesta is taking place 8th – 10th August 2025. Night glows take place Friday and Saturday night. Mass ascents are twice daily at 6am and 6pm although these are entirely dependent on the weather. There is no Thursday glow this year – the festival opens on the Friday.
The Bristol Balloon Fiesta is the largest ballooning event in Europe and is a FREE 3 day festival. Parking is chargeable but you are welcome to arrive on foot to the event. Official and non official parking is available as well as local camping from £31.50 night.
Official Bristol Balloon Fiesta Parking
The official Bristol Balloon Fiesta Parking can be booked via this link. It is £10 for a day ticket when booked in advance and can be as much as £27 per vehicle when left until the last minute. Official car parking tickets cannot be purchased on the day, they must be booked in advance. Accessible, motorbike and coach parking is also available.
The Blue Car Park opens at 5am and Red Car Park doesn’t open until 10am. Last entry is strictly 5pm – you cannot arrive after this time.
The Ashton Car Parking
The Ashton Pub offer Car Parking for Bristol Balloon Fiesta. This is £10 per vehicle and a few minutes walk from the Balloon Fiesta site. This cannot be booked in advance.
Ashton Gate Car Parking
Car Parking is available at Ashton Gate Stadium for £15 per day or £40 for a 3 day pass. There is a bus directly to the Balloon Fiesta from here.
Abbots Leigh Cricket Club Parking
Car Parking at Abbots Leigh is £10 per vehicle. It is a 30-40 minute walk from here to the Bristol Balloon Fiesta.
Public Transport to Bristol Balloon Fiesta
You can get the X9 from Bristol Bus Station to Long Ashton for £2. There is also a shuttle bus operating from Bristol Temple Meads Train Station. Taxis and Ubers are also available around Bristol and will make travel to the morning ascents possible when the busses aren’t running.
Camping at Bristol Balloon Fiesta
There are various temporary campsites that pop up around the time of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta. Cotham Park offer camping for motorhomes, campervans, caravans and tents and is around a 30 minute walk to the festival itself. Prices are from £31.50 per pitch and there is a 2 night minimum stay. You can find out more about Camping at Bristol Balloon Fiesta here.
