If the wind is in the right direction, balloons may even fly almost directly overhead on their path over the harbourside or up to Clifton Downs. Don’t miss out on up-to-date information about the Festival including morning and Night Glow launch details. Follow us on Facebook. WHERE ARE THE BALLOONS? Close, convenient parking (Debit, Credit, or Apple Pay only – no cash) is available at the festival general parking lot, located at the Tigard Swim Center entrance (8680 SW Durham Road). Away from Bristol city centre, Troopers Hill offers stunning views towards the city and over to the Ashton Court estate.

Kathryn Wiltshire, National Highways’ network planning officer for the South West, said: “We’re reminding road users to plan ahead during the Balloon Fiesta – roads leading to the event are likely to be very busy. Our Mission: To provide fundraising opportunities for local non-profit organizations while celebrating our community.Often attracting around 100,000 people over the course of the four days, National Highways are urging drivers to allow extra time for journeys passing Ashton Court. Ashton Court is just outside of Bristol. You can find information on getting to the fiesta here. What is the weather forecast? The Clifton Suspension Bridge will also be shut to both pedestrians and traffic from 6pm until midnight on Thursday and Saturday. The Weather If there is to be an issue it looks as if it could be caused by wind, as ballooning requires just a light breeze.

While you're not guaranteed to see balloons from the harbourside, if the wind is blowing in the right direction balloons often travel over the very centre of Bristol. The harbourside provides beautiful views of Bristol even without mass ascents, with balloons making them even more special. Where do the balloons fly in the morning? Balloons will follow the direction of the wind and for the Tigard Festival of Balloons that wind needs to be blowing generally South to avoid populated areas to the North. Look for the balloons over Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, Wilsonville, Aurora or Woodburn. about the Festival and hot air balloons It's a brief walk down the hill to the festival grounds or catch a Shuttle Brought to you by Beach Hut Deli. The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta got underway this weekend at Ashton Court and, while not a single evening mass ascent was able to take place due to the extremely hot weather, hundreds of hot air balloons took to the skies above Bristol each morning - a relief for pilots, organisers and visitors alike.Thankfully we look set for a much drier and sunnier week ahead, with high temperatures of 25 degrees currently forecast for the Fiesta's opening day. The Festival does not pre-sell general lot parking passes. Spaces are limited and lot parking is subject to availability. As well as the mass ascents, which always take place at either 6am or 6pm, there is other kinds of entertainment on all day including live music, fairground rides and even sky dives into the main arena.

We do not offer any balloon flights during the Festival; however, we do offer free tethered rides for all ages each morning at no additional cost (weather and pilot permitting).Visit Schedule of Events for tethering times and follow us on Facebook for day of balloon activity status. Our aim is to keep the National Highways network running while keeping fiesta goers and other road users safe and informed. What's more, a super moon surprised those who had got up early to enjoy the AM mass ascents, which begin at around 6am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, making for some stunning photo opportunities. Friday morning's mass ascent (August 12) saw more than 60 balloons fill the skies for the first launch of the fiesta and this was followed by even more on Saturday and Sunday morning. Shaped balloons such as Wes the Wolf, Busby the Queen's guard and the famous 'Up' balloon (inspired by the Disney film) were among them to put on a show for the huge crowds that had come along to soak up some sunshine and enjoy their hot air balloon fix.

The schedule

Parking proceeds benefit our non-profit event volunteers from both the THS Breakfast Rotary & THS Athletic Boosters. Parking fee does not include admission into the Festival. July was significantly wetter than average across England, with 120.4mm of rain falling nationwide.