Thousands watched the night glow the Bristol Balloon Fiesta on Friday evening
Dozens of balloon set off their burners in time to music
Earlier, more balloons took off - and landed - in the first mass ascent
One of the balloons was caught on camera hitting the top of a school in the city
Watch our flight in a balloon from the fiesta this morning in full here
The late mass ascent was cancelled due to high winds
The first day of the 47th Balloon Fiesta has ended with a spectacular night glow - with a soundtrack curated by the BBC Radio Bristol team.
Thank you for following our coverage today.
Tomorrow's mass ascent is scheduled for 6am - weather permitting.
You can check the BBC News website for more photographs and videos.
Here's where the music is coming from. What an amazing view from the commentary box.
There's a great reaction from the crowd listening to music mixed by BBC Radio Bristol, and accompanied by the voice of breakfast host Joe Sims.
The first night glow of the 47th Bristol Balloon Fiesta has officially begun!
Dozens of balloons are tethered in the main area, where they are lighting up in sequence to the music.
The soundtrack that the balloons are dancing to has been created again by BBC Radio Bristol.
Click watch live at the top and tune in.
The balloons are inflating now and the night glow will begin soon.
Stay tuned to see the spectacular show!
We are just waiting for the balloons to inflate - stay with us to see the magical show.
Click watch live to see what's happening
Hit the watch live button at the top of the page where Amanda Parr will be with you in a few moments.
It's due to get under way from 9pm - and we'll be streaming it live.
But, there's a possibility it might be a little later than anticipated because the winds are still a little too strong at Ashton Court.
Stay tuned - we'll let you know the latest when we know.
Jo Vickers, from Wedmore, had a bittersweet reason for attending the fiesta.
“My dad died yesterday and we wanted to see the balloons go up to heaven.”
She added: “The Thatchers balloon used to fly over his house – he wasn’t well for years and I can remember him sitting and watching the Thatchers balloon come over the Mendips. It was really nice to see that one go up first.”
Ms Vickers said she had decided to bring her children because they had been imaging the balloons had a magic string up to their grandfather in heaven.
“The fiesta is just so special – the fact that it’s free and outside, and in an age of social media it’s really nice to see so many kids running around excited.
“For me its about the South West. The South West is my home and it’s just something really special and it puts us on the map.”
'The fiesta is just so special,' says Jo Vickers
Is there something missing in your Balloon Fiesta knowledge for this weekend and you don't know who to ask? We've got your covered.
New attractions this year include the 42m (140ft) high Oggy the Friendly Dragon which will join the many balloons in the skies. Disney's 'Up' balloon, Slick the Dragon and Astro the Alien are also set to return.
The night glow spectacle will also return for two nights - on Friday and Saturday.
Here's everything you need to know about the event.
Tess De La Mare
Reporting from Ashton Court
As well as balloons, the fiesta is also all about food. Dozens of food trucks surround the site for those feeling peckish between events, and vendors get a good view of the action too.
Caroline Morley, who runs her Strawberro coated strawberry business with colleague Jay Graham at different events all summer, said: “We love coming to Bristol. We were here a few weeks ago for the harbour festival and now we’re back again.”
They were here bright an early for the mass assent, and have been enjoying the attractions in the arena.
“It’s been a bit quiet this afternoon, but we think business will pick up this afternoon for the night glow,” Ms Morley said.
Asked what was special about the fiesta, she said: “It’s just a really good family event. There’s lots going on and it’s a great day out.”
'We love coming to Bristol,' says business owner Caroline Morley
Tess De La Mare
Reporting from Ashton Court
Crowds at the fiesta are getting the chance to do just that with the burner of a real balloon.
Although a 600c flame suspended above two huge gas cylinders attached to a wicker basket seems like a recipe for disaster, pilot Pete Dalby explained accidents are very rare.
Mr Dalby, who flies the Tattinger Champagne balloon, said: “We’re just very careful. We know when to burn and when not to burn.
“The time you’re most likely to damage the balloon is when you’re inflating it. So you’re just very careful when you’re doing it.”
He continued: “When you’re in flight there’s hardly any chance of the balloon (fabric) catching fire. There’s too big a gap between the flame and the balloon, and the bottom part of the balloon is fire proofed anyway.”
The BBC’s Chris Mace certainly enjoyed his imaginary balloon ride!
BBC reporter Chris Mace enjoying his imaginary balloon ride
And as quickly as we said we had no news - we do!
The balloons won't fly tonight after all.
Tonight's mass ascent has been cancelled due to windy conditions.
The tethered night glow will still go ahead at 9pm. Stay tuned as we will be live streaming it on this page.
We're waiting on news as to whether there will be a late ascent at the fiesta.
No news yet - and we'll bring it to you as soon as we know.
In the meantime, don't forget Points West will be live from the fiesta at 6.30pm. You'll be able to watch on this page, or on BBC One in the West of England.
The balloon which hit the top of a primary school in the Knowle West area of Bristol has caused some "minor damage" to the school's roof tiles.
Clare Robinson, regional director for South West Primary at Oasis Community Learning said:
"This morning, we were made aware of an incident involving a hot air balloon participating in the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. The balloon lost power and made contact with the roof of Oasis Academy Connaught."
Ms Robinson said they are relieved to confirm that no one was harmed, and that the academy was largely unoccupied due to it being the summer holidays.
Quote MessageThe incident caused some minor damage to the roof tiles, which are being repaired by a contractor as soon as possible. Most importantly, we’re incredibly thankful that everyone is safe and that the balloon was able to carefully land in the school field, without disturbing the festivities.
Clare Robinson
“We remain proud to be part of the Bristol community and hope everyone continues to enjoy the Balloon Fiesta this weekend, as we are."
Amanda Parr
BBC Points West, Bristol
Did you know the fiesta’s night glow event was born out of efforts to minimise ballooning’s impact on wildlife?
Ian Martin, who has choreographed the night glow for the past 16 years, explained: “A long time ago when ballooning started out we only had one type of burner and we discovered that we disturbed animals as we were flying over them.
“So the manufacturers produced what is known as the ‘whisper burner’ which is much quieter. We then discovered that if you use it at night it lights the balloon up.”
After a bit of experimentation, balloonists hit upon the idea for the night glow – where the balloons fire their burners in time to music.
It is now one of the most popular events of the fiesta - and you can watch it here live from just before 9pm tonight.
Ian Martin explained the night glow was born out of an effort to minimise the impact on wildlife
We had a camera on one of the balloons this morning.
Enjoy the highlights of a flight out of Ashton Court and across south Bristol. Might make your bus journey home tonight go a bit more smoothly!
If you want to watch the whole thing, then click here.
Tess De La Mare
Reporting from Ashton Court
New at the fiesta for 2025 is the “In the Clouds” attraction, which gives visitors a taste of the first ever balloon flights to take off from Bristol.
The immersive experience was set up by Cameron Balloons and visitors walk into a real balloon inflated with cold air and complete with burner special effects.
A video of the maiden flight of the Bristol Belle, which was made by Cameron Balloons founder Don Cameron in 1967, plays on big screens around the balloon.
Jess Siggers, the company’s marketing manager, said: “We wanted to bring ballooning to people outside of ballooning, because it can seem like a hard thing to get into.
“It’s a beautiful installation celebrating ballooning.”
Sam Binding has sent in this image of Oggy the Dragon flying over the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
This special shape is 143ft (43.5metres) tall - more than twice the size of a standard hot air balloon.
Image source, Sam BindingOggy the Dragon spotted flying over the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
Tess De La Mare
Crowds at the fiesta are now enjoying the tethered balloons in the arena, giving them a chance to enjoy the balloons close up.
This year’s event features the “Wednesday” balloon, created to promote the Netflix series about the Addams Family character.
It is complete with black pigtails.
Leigh Boobyer
BBC News, West of England
Sally Wattiaux captured this stunning photo of balloons flying with the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge is in the background
If you want to send us photos of the balloons, WhatsApp us on 0800 313 4630., external Please remember to include your name and where you are from.
Image source, Sally WattiauxAdam Drysdale captured his black labrador taking in the beautiful sight of many balloons scattered across the sky.
He sent us this picture on WhatsApp during the Fiesta's first mass ascent, from Whitchurch.
Image source, Adam Drysdale
