• Swindon & Wiltshire News
• Wednesday February 28 2024
• Author Name: Peter Davison

Economy-lifting Bristol Balloon Fiesta to return this summer

Bristol Balloon Fiesta will return this summer, but across three days instead of four, organisers have announced.

The festival with its iconic Night Glow, which injected more than £22 million into Bristol’s economy in 2023, will run from Friday, August 9 to Sunday, August 11 at Ashton Court.

Organisers said the traditional Thursday event will not go ahead this year to save costs.

The free-to-attend festival has been hit by a combination of poor weather, the pandemic, the rising cost of living, inflation, and challenges in the supply chain over recent years.

The fiesta will still include two Night Glow events, which will now take place consecutively on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Organisers have also announced an extension of the event. Between Monday, August 5 and Thursday, August 8, ‘Fiesta Week’ will see a fleet of hot air balloons popping up in local communities across the city in a series of local launches.

While the central arena will still set the stage for over 100 hot air balloons to take flight if conditions allow, more attention will be given to the outskirts of the launch field, says the not-for-profit firm that organises the event.

“A revitalised vision will enable visitors experience the magic of ballooning beyond the scheduled mass ascents and Night Glows,” said a spokesperson.

An economic impact survey carried out last year identified the event as the city’s most valuable outdoor event – injecting £22.2 million into Bristol’s economy in 2023 alone, £14.7 million of which was new expenditure in the city that would not have occurred without the event taking place.

Business supporters are being sought for the event.

Latest: Bristol International Balloon Fiesta signs up first tranche of business supporters