Dates announced for 2026 Bristol Balloon Fiesta

The annual event will return to Ashton Court

The dates for the 2026 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta have been announced.

The free event will take place on 7 to 9 August, returning to the Ashton Court Estate on the edge of the city.

It has also been a revealed that an agreement is to be signed between the organisers and Bristol City Council to grant permission for the event to continue to use Ashton Court until at least 2030.

Don Cameron, a co-founder of the fiesta, commented: "[The] Funny thing about humble beginnings, is they have a habit of growing into something remarkable!"

A reception will be held at City Hall on Friday to celebrate the Fiesta's civic contributions and reveal the in-year profit after a successful 2025 event.

Mr Cameron, Cameron Balloons' founder, is credited with putting Bristol and ballooning on the world map and being one of the founders of the popular fiesta which draws about 250,000 people to Ashton Court.

He said: "When we first came up with the idea of hosting a balloon meet in Ashton Court in the seventies, we were simply wanting to bring some balloonists together to have a bit of fun.

"To see it now, woven into the fabric of our city, is humbling beyond words.

"It has become part of all our stories, a gentle triumph that we now have a social and economic responsibility to protect."

'Future secured'

Bristol City Council leader Tony Dyer said the part the fiesta plays in shaping the city is "undeniable".

He said: "It sits proudly amongst the highlights of Bristol's world-renowned events calendar, a showcase for our city's heritage of ingenuity, enterprise, and curiosity.

"I'm delighted to have been able to work with Don and his team to secure the use of Ashton Court for the foreseeable future.

"Whilst the value of the fiesta to our local tourism and social economies is significant, equally as important is the inspiration the event sparks in many of the children and families who visit each year."