Everything you need to know about balloon festival

The balloons are the highlight. but the festival - at The Racecourse in Northampton - features much more too

Thousands of people are expected to go to the 2025 Northampton Balloon Festival, which returns for three days from Friday.

As well as the balloons, organisers say it is a chance to eat great food, watch other live events, take part in crafts and see fireworks.

What is the Northampton Balloon Festival?

The festival was introduced in 1989 by the now defunct Northampton Borough Council, and has became a highlight of the town's events calendar

The first balloon festival took place in 1989 and was supported by the now defunct Northampton Borough Council until 2008.

It was held at Billing Aquadrome before it stopped hosting the three-day event in 2019.

Following a four-year hiatus, dozens of balloons took to the skies again in 2023 from The Racecourse in Northampton, with about 65,000 people attending that year, according to organisers.

The present festival is supported by Northampton Town Council and local businesses.

What can I expect to see?

Vikings are back at the festival, with a Viking village for people to wander through

The balloons of course are the highlight, and they typically fly at sunrise and sunset, with launches planned for 18:00 BST and 19:30 each day on 15th, 16th and 17th August.

If the weather conditions are not right, the balloons will not take off. Balloons do not fly in wind or rain.

As well as the balloons ascending, this year's festival includes a vast array of entertainment, including Viking and Civil War drills and displays, birds of prey, a circus skills workshop, traders and charity stalls.

The arena events will include a motocross stunt show and a funfair will provide extra thrills for the young and young-at-heart, with fireworks rounding off the event on Sunday evening.

Where can I get tickets?

The balloon festival will also have a fairground

Tickets are the same price for each day and cost £5 plus a booking fee from the festival website, or they can be bought on the day at entrances.

Early bird tickets at £3.25 remain available until midday on Friday.

Children under 1m tall (3.3 ft) will get free entry.

Tickets allow entry into the site from 12:00 BST until 22:30 but do not include a balloon flight, which can be booked and paid for separately.

Dogs on leads and picnics are welcome, but no glass or alcohol will be permitted and bag searches will be carried out.

Anti-social behaviour "will not be tolerated", organisers said.

The three-day event also features live entertainment, food stalls and a fun fair

How do I get there?

Festival organisers are encouraging people to use public transport if possible, although a field car park is available next to The Racecourse with some parking for disabled people.

"Please plan your journey, the roads can get busy, so leave plenty of time," the website said.

From Northampton Railway station it takes about 20-minutes to walk to The Racecourse. Buses will also take people to the site.

Northampton is off the M1 at junction 15 and is also on the A45 and A508.

The forecast is for very warm weather - temperatures will be heading towards 30C - so don't forget hats, parasols, sunscreen and water bottles.