Get ready to soar in 2024 as the UK’s hot air balloon festivals promise a year of breathtaking views and unforgettable adventures. From the iconic Bristol International Balloon Fiesta to the enchanting Sky Safari at Longleat, these events are a true celebration of flight. If you've never been lucky enough to see a mass launch, picture a sky filled with vibrant balloons, creating stunning backdrops over the beautiful British countryside. It's quite the sight to behold.
Each festival offers unique experiences, from serene balloon rides to lively entertainment and all the usual culinary delights of the best fun fairs, sometimes including locally produced treats. Whether you're a seasoned balloon enthusiast or a first-timer, join Virgin Balloon Flights in exploring the magic of these spectacular events in 2024 and beyond!
May 2024
🚩 Dorset Balloon Festival
Date 4th - 5th MAY 2024.
Location Dorchester Showground, Cokers Frome, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 7SD
Region South West
Dorset Balloon Festival
Get ready for thrilling balloon displays, live entertainment, and family friendly activities. Experience the magic of the mass balloon launches and prepare to be mesmerised by the iconic night…
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🚩 Devonshire Balloon Festival
Date 25th May (1 pm - 11 pm), 26th May 2024 (1 pm - 9 pm)
Location Exeter Racecourse, Kennford, Exeter EX6 7XS
Region South West
Alongside the hot air balloons, pilot meet-and-greets, and Night Glow demonstrations, there are original artists and tribute acts, monster truck and stunt shows, a huge family funfair, and much more. It's an event packed with excitement, perfect for making lasting memories for the whole family.
Devonshire Balloon Festival
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Devonshire countryside, this annual event promises a weekend of enchantment, wonder and sky high adventure. With a dazzling array of hot air balloons…
Learn more about a hot air balloon ride Exeter
🚩 Midlands Air Festival
Date 31st May - 2nd June 2024
Location Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5NJ
Region West Midlands
The Midlands Air Festival returns for its sixth year of family-friendly fun! This spectacular aviation event will feature the dazzling Nightfire display, thrilling air shows, and captivating hot air balloon launches. In addition to the airborne excitement, you'll find great trade stands, children's rides, and more entertainment than ever before. Don't miss this fantastic celebration of aviation and fun for all ages!
June 2024
🚩 Worcester Hot Air Balloon Festival
Date 21st - 22nd June 2024
Location Worcester Racecourse, GrandStand Road, Worcester WR1 3EJ
Region West Midlands
The Worcester Hot Air Balloon Festival returns after a successful first year, promising an even bigger and better event! Expect skies filled with colourful balloons of all shapes and sizes (weather permitting). Enjoy live music, food and drink stalls, craft stalls, and a variety of family-friendly entertainment. The highlight will be the spectacular mass ascent of hot air balloons, offering breathtaking views and unforgettable memories. Don't miss this exciting festival, perfect for a fun-filled day out for all ages!
🚩 Wales Balloon Festival
Date 27th - 29th June 2025
Location Carmarthen Showground, Nantyci, Carmarthen SA33 5DR
Region Wales
Get ready for an unforgettable weekend at the Wales Hot Air Balloon Festival! Enjoy live music, exciting entertainment, and non-stop fun with spectacular hot air balloons, pilot meet-and-greets, and Night Glow demonstrations. The festival also features original artists, tribute acts, monster trucks, stunt shows, a massive family funfair, and more. It's the perfect event for a fun-filled weekend for the whole family!
July 2024
🚩 The Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta
Date Sunday 7th, Sunday 21st and Sunday 28th July 2024
Location Battersea Park, London SW11 4NJ
Region London
The Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta is London’s top ballooning event and an aerial highlight of the historic Lord Mayor’s Show. Each year, up to fifty balloons, including the official Lord Mayor’s Appeal balloon with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, soar over central London. This event raises awareness and funds for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, promoting a more inclusive, healthy, skilled, and fair city for all.
🚩 Northumberland Balloon Festival
Date Dates are yet to be confirmed for the Northumberland Balloon Festival 2025.
Location Tynedale Rugby Club, Corbridge NE45 5AY
Region North East
The Northumberland Balloon Festival, the North East's largest balloon event, transforms the skies with vibrant hot air balloons at the picturesque Tynedale Rugby Club. Enjoy breathtaking balloon ascents, live music, food stalls, and funfair rides in a festive atmosphere. Don’t miss the spectacular "Night Glow" event, where balloons light up the night sky in a dazzling display, creating an unforgettable experience against Northumberland’s stunning countryside backdrop.
Northumberland Balloon Festival (2025)
The Northumberland Balloon Festival is a magical experience for everyone. See colourful balloons float gracefully over the beautiful Northumberland landscape. With exciting activities,…
Learn more about a hot air balloon ride Corbridge
🚩 Doncaster Hot Air Balloon Festival
Date 19th - 20th July 2024
Location Town Field, Thorne Road, Doncaster DN1 2JP
Region Yorkshire and The Humber
Excitement is building as they prepare to launch the inaugural Doncaster Balloon Festival on July 19th and 20th, 2024! Hosted by Show Time Events Group, this highly anticipated event is set to captivate our beloved hometown and showcase the very best of Doncaster to the world.
August 2024
🚩 Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Date 9th - 11th August 2024
Location Ashton Court Estate, Long Ashton, Bristol BS41 9JN
Region South West
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is an annual free festival in Bristol, England, celebrating hot air ballooning. Teams from across the UK and the world gather to participate in spectacular mass ascents, with up to 100 balloons launching simultaneously. This vibrant event showcases the best of ballooning, creating a breathtaking display that fills the skies and captivates visitors from near and far.
Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Take life higher at Europe's biggest hot air balloon festival and go up, up and away for a Bristol balloon ride you will never forget. Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is back for 2024 and set…
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🚩 Old Buckenham Balloon Festival
Date 9th -11th August 2024
Location Old Buckenham Country Park, Doe Ln, Old Buckenham, Attleborough NR17 1PP
Region East of England
The 2024 Harvest Balloon Festival promises an unforgettable three-day celebration in Norfolk’s stunning countryside. Enjoy live music, camping, street food, a BBQ grill, a beer festival, and children's entertainment. Explore ballooning equipment up close, and if the weather permits, witness spectacular morning and evening balloon flights and a dazzling night glow. With activities for the whole family and dog-friendly fun, this event is perfect for a memorable weekend.
🚩 Northampton Balloon Festival
Date 16th - 18th August 2024
Location Racecourse Pavilion, Kettering Rd, Northampton NN1 4LG
Region East Midlands
Experience the Northampton Balloon Festival as the skies transform with colourful hot air balloons, showcasing the grace of skilled balloonists. Enjoy live arena entertainment, a vibrant funfair, and a thrilling circus workshop. Marvel at the majesty of birds of prey, explore trade stalls, and savour a hot air balloon glow at sunset followed by dazzling fireworks. Indulge in diverse festival food and drinks for unforgettable moments of high-flying joy for the whole family.
🚩 Oswestry Balloon Carnival
Date 17th - 18th August 2024
Location Cae Glas Park, Welsh Walls, Oswestry SY11 1AP
Region West Midlands
This two-day family-friendly event, hosted in collaboration with Oswestry Town Council and Elevate Balloon Flights, and supported by Oswestry BID, brings a vibrant carnival to the heart of Oswestry town and the picturesque Cae Glas Park.
🚩 Telford Balloon Fiesta
Date 23rd - 25th August 2024
Location Telford Town Park, Hinkshay Road, Telford TF3 4EP
Region West Midlands
Soar into the skies with up to 30 other hot air balloons at the Telford Balloon Fiesta! Returning to Telford Town Park for its fourth year, this spectacular festival promises breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences. Virgin Balloon Flights will be there with our iconic red balloons, offering you the chance to fly from this amazing event.
Telford Balloon Fiesta
Telford Balloon Fiesta is a spectacular annual event that fills the Shropshire skyline with the breathtaking view of hot air balloons. The fiesta also features live music, funfair rides, and an…
Learn more about a hot air balloon ride Telford
🚩 Strathaven Balloon Festival
Date 23rd - 25th August 2024
Location Strathaven Park, Glasgow Rd, Strathaven ML10 6AJ
Region Scotland
The Strathaven Balloon Festival, Scotland’s only balloon festival, has been delighting visitors since 1999. This non-profit event, supported by Don Cameron of Cameron Balloons, attracts pilots and over 30,000 spectators from across Europe. Enjoy live music, a fun fair, classic vehicles, and tethered hot air balloons (weather permitting) during the Family Fun Day. With free admission, it's an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
September 2024
🚩 Herefordshire & South Wales Balloon Festival
Date 7th (11:00 AM) - 8th (2:00 PM) September 2024
Location Hereford Racecourse, Hereford HR4 9QU
Region West Midlands
Experience the Herefordshire & South Wales Balloon Festival at the stunning Hereford Racecourse. Watch in awe as vibrant hot air balloons take flight, explore delicious food stalls, thrilling rides, and live entertainment throughout the day. As the sun sets, prepare to be mesmerised by the enchanting Night Glow event, where the balloons illuminate the racecourse in a magical display. It's a delightful festival experience for the entire family.
🚩 Sky Safari at Longleat
Date 13th September - 15th September 2024
Location Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 7NW
Region South West
Experience the excitement of Longleat's Sky Safari. Marvel at over 115 hot air balloons, including unique animal-shaped ones like Simbaloo the Lion. Enjoy mass launches, sunrise take-offs, and night glow displays. See the adorable baby dragon balloon. Don’t miss Longleat’s other attractions, such as the Boat Safari with sea lions and gorillas, and the Drive Through Safari with big cats and giraffes.
Festivals Taking a Break in 2024
🚩 Cheshire Balloon Fiesta
Take a break in 2024 and return in Summer 2025
Although the Cheshire Balloon Fiesta is cancelled this year, you can still experience the thrill of ballooning in the North West with Virgin Hot Air Balloon rides. Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the region from a unique vantage point, floating serenely above picturesque landscapes. Whether it's a special celebration or an adventurous day out, our flights offer an unforgettable experience. So, even without the fiesta, you can still create magical memories in the sky with Virgin Hot Air Balloon.
🚩 York Balloon Fiesta
Take a break in 2024 and return in Summer 2025
Although the York Balloon Fiesta is taking a break this year, you can still experience the magic of hot air ballooning with Virgin Hot Air Balloons in Yorkshire. Soar above the stunning Yorkshire landscape and enjoy breathtaking views that only a balloon ride can offer. It’s the perfect way to capture the beauty of the region from a unique vantage point and create unforgettable memories, even without the festival.
🚩 Staffordshire Balloon Fiesta
Unfortunately, Staffordshire Balloon Fiesta is not currently running.
The Staffordshire Balloon Fiesta might not be running at the moment, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on the magic of ballooning. You can still enjoy a breathtaking hot air balloon ride in Stafford, and experience the beauty of Staffordshire from a truly unique perspective.
🚩 Cheltenham Balloon Fiesta
Unfortunately, Cheltenham Balloon Fiesta is no longer running.
Although there's no news on the Cheltenham Balloon Fiesta, you can still enjoy a magical Virgin Hot Air Balloon ride from Cheltenham. Overlooked the Cotswold Hills and the lush Severn Valley, with the medieval charm of Tewkesbury and its timber-framed buildings to the north. Admire the stunning Gloucestershire countryside as it silently unfolds beneath our iconic big red balloon.
Final Thoughts:
UK hot air balloon festivals offer unforgettable experiences for the whole family. From the kaleidoscopic array of balloons to the magical night glow routines, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
For further details on parking, tickets and what to expect at hot air balloon fiestas throughout the country, check out our ultimate guide to Hot Air Balloon Festivals across the UK.
