The final mass ascent of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta has been cancelled due to strong winds at Ashton Court
Despite this, the fiesta's executive director says it has been an "unbelievable" event this year
A fifth mass ascent has taken place with dozens of balloons taking to the skies
The second night glow of the Bristol Balloon Fiesta thrilled the crowds
You can find travel details for the event here
And you can use our guide the event to find out what is happening across the weekend
If you spot the balloons flying across Bristol please submit your pictures using the form below
In a new development this year, people can track where the balloons are and where they are heading during the mass ascents.
Read all about how you can do that here.
Image source, PA MediaThousands of people had their fingers crossed for the weather conditions to allow the first mass ascent to happen this morning, and their hopes were rewarded.
Early risers at Ashton Court and in the city of Bristol itself were treated to more than 80 balloons in flight.
These pictures taken by Henry Nicholls for Getty Images capture some of the magic of today.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty Images
Clara Bullock
Live page reporter at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Bringing a new meaning to the term "hanging around", Charlie Timbrell is currently in the middle of a world record attempt for the longest balloon tether, which currently stands at 10-and-a-half hours.
He’s hoping his Fly Alien balloon, which is tethered just above the ground, will be in the air for up to 15 hours.
“On the ground we’re being battered around by the wind so we’re actually using more heat and more gas to keep the balloon pressurised - that’s the challenge,” he said.
“I’ve always loved hot air balloons, ever since I was a small child, coming to this wonderful balloon fiesta every year.”
He says his favourite thing about the fiesta is the camaraderie between all the ballooning crews.
Clara Bullock
Live page reporter at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Among the visitors we spoke to was Amy, who has brought her family to the fiesta to celebrate her mum's birthday.
"We've just come up to enjoy the balloons and let the kids be together," she said
"We're here until tonight to see the balloons go up again.
"We've got our cameras, the kids have got their cameras and we're good to see some balloons."
Balloonist Jo Bailey, who almost died after developing a twisted bowel, has potentially set a new world record for the most tethered hopping balloon ascents in one hour.
She was given a target of 30 by Guinness World Records - but managed 68 in just 60 minutes.
Sarah Turnnidge
Live page reporter
Image source, Myk GartonYou might remember this character from earlier this morning, when it was landed in the playground of a primary school in south Bristol.
We've been sent this incredible picture by balloon-spotter Myk Garton, of the spectacular sculpture dominating the skyline from Knowle.
Sarah Turnnidge
Live page reporter
As well as the mass ascents - which have made the Fiesta famous across the city and beyond, crowds attending the festival can expect to see the return of familiar favourites in the event calendar.
These include the popular night glow events on Friday and Saturday evenings, in which dozens of balloons inflate at dusk and use their burners to glow in time to music produced by BBC Radio Bristol.
These are scheduled to take place at 21:00 on both Friday and Saturday. You will have to be on site at Ashton Court to take these in as the balloons are tethered to the ground throughout the display.
We'll bring you pictures on this page later with video highlights straight after.
Clara Bullock
Live page reporter at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
We've been speaking to visitors enjoying the spectacle of the first day of the balloon fiesta - among them, father and son Carl and Eli.
"We come every year because Eli loves it and he likes the different shaped balloons," said Carl.
His favourite? Rupert the Bear.
"We came first thing this morning when it was still dark," Carl added. "We woke up at like 04:30 to get here and we're staying until the night glow. We're here all day."
"I'm looking forward to the afternoon when they fly again," Eli said.
This incredible timelapse, captured by The Bristol Nomad, shows the sheer number of balloons taking to the skies this morning.
We've just heard that a total of 87 balloons took part in the first ascent.
More stunning photos from this morning's mass ascent featuring some of the brilliant special shapes balloons.
The wildcat eye, especially, is lovely. Great work from Ben Birchall from PA Media.
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA MediaClara Bullock
Live page reporter at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Artist Emily Powell was one of the lucky few to get a seat in a balloon basket this morning, but that doesn't mean she got to sit back and relax.
She took to the skies to live paint the event - and what a morning for it!
"It was far better than I ever expected," she said.
"I thought it was going to be good, but it was something else. I love it when life is a lot more magical than you think it will be, and it really was phenomenal."
As for the painting, Powell said she "spilt a bit of paint" but added "it was so good because I could see everything laid out below".
"It was amazing to do all the dots and lines of Bristol, and see the different colours changing from above."
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA MediaWe're used to seeing them fully inflated and floating above the city - but even before lift off there's a pretty spectacular world inside each balloon.
These pictures were taking early this morning as pilots prepared to take flight, and goes some way towards showing the immense scale of them.
Ian Fergusson
BBC weather presenter
Image source, ReutersOverall, it'll be a very pleasant set of conditions for this year's Fiesta. High pressure will dominate, bringing with it effectively dry, settled weather and variable cloud and sunshine. The chance of any showers is very low.
Temperature will climb somewhat across the three days of the event, from the low 20s C on Friday, rising into mid-20s through the weekend.
Sunday will become somewhat breezier during the afternoon, with a little forecast uncertainty about possible southward progress of a very weak and decaying front. But nonetheless, it will provide another decent day and ensuring the fiesta will have escaped any risk of inclement weather.
It's worth adding that UV levels and pollen count will remain high throughout the three days.
Sarah Turnnidge
Live page reporter
Flying so close to a major city means landing spots can be tricky to find - and that seems to have been the case here.
We've been sent this video by balloon-spotter Ben Korn, who saw the enormous scarecrow balloon come in to land in the car park of St Peter's Church of England Primary School in Bishopsworth, south Bristol.
It's a view only the lucky few are able to access during the balloon fiesta.
But while you might not be able to get into a basket yourself (this time), you can enjoy the spectacular vista over Bristol here.
It still needs to be verified by the team at Guinness World Records, but a hot air balloon pilot who almost died after developing a twisted bowel may have just smashed a world record.
Jo Bailey from Bristol lives with a stoma bag after parts of her bowel were removed in 2025 when she spent two months in hospital undergoing a life-changing operation.
This morning she was attempting to set the record for the most tethered hopping balloon ascents in one hour at the fiesta. Guinness had set the bar at 30 - but she managed 68 in just 60 minutes.
We've had some gorgeous shots sent into us by viewers this morning - thank you!
If you have any pictures you'd like to share, you can easily send them in through the form on the left-hand-side of this page. Don't forget to tell us your name and where you snapped the shot.
Image source, Claire
Image source, Sarah Irwin
Image source, Leon Stansfield
Image source, James
Image source, MarijaOur reporter Alice Bouverie has been up in a balloon herself this morning - she's just sent us these stunning shots from above the ground.
We've got video from a flight from the fiesta coming up soon, too. Don't go away!