Summary

Live Reporting

  1. Why do some of the balloons seem to be 'landing in the trees'?

    Sarah Turnnidge
    Live page reporter

    Some of the spectators this morning have noticed something unusual as the flights continue - balloons apparently dropping down directly into the trees.

    But while this might look concerning, Bristol Balloon Fiesta flight director Clive Bailey explained it was simply an illusion.

    Instead, the balloons are dropping down behind the tree line and into the open space near the golf course to the north of Ashton Court.

    The flight path of the balloons, he explained, is also changing as the morning draws on.

    "The ones that went up earlier have gone up almost due south towards Dundry, but as the sun warms the ground up the air slowly changes direction - so some of the balloons that have stayed low are just going almost in the opposite direction," said Bailey.

    "So you've got some going directly south, some going directly north. It's the magic of ballooning."

  2. Watch: Colourful display in the Bristol skies

    First Bristol Balloon Fiesta mass ascent of 2026

    Our reporters have captured these glorious sights across the city this morning, with special shapes galore spotted - including a green alien, a panda and a giant screwdriver.

  3. Where are the balloons heading?

    The Balloon Fiesta has started something new this year - a live tracker to show where the balloons are heading.

    And a lucky few might get to see them land this morning as the balloons head out towards Dundry in the south of the city.

    You can follow all the flights through the new tracker - which says there are more than 40 balloons airborne right now.

    A map showing the location of balloons flying over Bristol.GWR

  4. Send us your pictures!

    These stunning shots have been submitted by balloon watchers across Bristol, and we're hoping to see plenty more as the ascent continues!

    If you've taken a great shot, you can send it to us through the upload button on this page. Don't forget to tell us your name and where you are - we're keen to show off the best of the fiesta from the whole city.

    Thanks to Freya and Becca for these photos.

    Dozens of balloons rise into the sky above the terraced houses of Clifton.Freya Noonan
    A red balloon against a light blue sky.Becca

  5. Mass ascent gets into full swing

    We're well on our way now - the sky is filled with a mass of balloons of all shapes and sizes.

  6. Dozens of balloons filling the sky

    A number of balloons, including one shaped like a suitcase and one like a panda, float into a blue sky.
    Twelve balloons up in the sky above Ashton Court and the outskirts of the city.

  7. Watch first balloons take to the skies

    Some of the first balloons have already made lift off, and should start to be visible to fiesta-watchers across the city very soon.

    It appeared at first that they were headed towards Dundry, to the south west of the city, but it's still too early to tell exactly where they will all land.

  8. Special shapes prepare for lift off

    Joe Sims
    BBC Radio Bristol

    A team of people inflate a black and white balloon.

    Can you hear the burners going on? It is absolutely festooned here at HQ with balloons going up everywhere.

    I don't want to alarm anybody but I think we're being invaded by not one but two aliens, and there's a snake I can see wrapped around a balloon. There are lots of different shapes, all different shapes and sizes, taking to the skies.

    Joe's programme is live from the fiesta this morning - click listen live at the top of the page.

  9. Families in position for the first ascent

    They've been waiting all morning for this... finally the hundreds of families at Ashton Court will have their chance to see dozens of balloons take to the skies.

    A woman with bright pink hair holds two small children on a picnic blanker. One of the children is in a large fluffy bear onesie, and the other is in a Frozen hoodie.
    Crowds can be seen as the baskets and balloons prepare to inflate.

  10. We are off!
    Breaking

    A large cloud of green smoke bursts into the blue sky. Orange flames can be seen reaching into the sky too, from the baskets.

    Green smoke has been seen over the arena. That means we have lift off!

    The first balloons will be up in the sky very shortly - wherever you are in the city, keep your eyes peeled for any drifting your way.

  11. First balloons inflate

    A red, black and white balloon inflated against a clear dawn sky. Crowds can be seen in the background.

    We are still waiting for the official announcement over whether we will get a mass ascent this morning, but that hasn't stopped the first balloons from inflating in front of the growing crowd.

  12. Sun rises over Ashton Court

    Sarah Turnnidge
    Live page reporter

    A bright orange sunrise peeks over the tree line at the fiesta site. There are lots of 4x4 trucks and trailers, with a balloon laid out in the foreground ready to be inflated.

    The balloonists have gathered and, as the sun breaks over the fiesta site, we are waiting to find out whether this morning's ascent will take place.

    We should be able to let you know very soon if it is time to look to the skies.

  13. When are the mass ascents today and across the weekend?

    Sarah Turnnidge
    Live page reporter

    A number of brightly-coloured hot air balloons inflate and lift off from parkland, surrounded by crowds.PA

    For many the mass ascents - the moment when dozens of colourful balloons lift off from Ashton Court and drift across the city - are the pinnacle of the fiesta.

    While all events are weather dependant, there are six mass ascents planned across the weekend.

    They are as follows:

    • Friday 7 August - 06:00 BST
    • Friday 7 August - 18:00
    • Saturday 8 August - 06:00
    • Saturday 8 August - 18:00
    • Sunday 9 August - 06:00
    • Sunday 9 August - 18:00

  14. City starts moving for first ascent

    Sarah Turnnidge
    Live page reporter

    A Google Map of the south of Bristol, showing some traffic around the entrance to the site.Google

    Dawn may not yet have broken, but thousands of people are already on the move to take in the excitement of the first balloon flight of the fiesta.

    People are walking into Ashton Court in their droves, while hundreds more are driving in from near and far. Traffic data shows some congestion around the entrance to the site as expected, though this is likely to worsen as we get closer to the 06:00 lift off.

  15. Will we have lift off?

    It is the question on everyone's lips first thing. Will we actually see balloons in the sky this morning?

    There are lots of elements organisers have to take into account before they lift off - including wind speed and direction, any potential rain and other weather conditions.

    Before each mass ascent the fiesta's flight director carefully makes their decision. It is only once we seen green smoke from the arena that we know for sure we will have balloons over the city first thing.

  16. Good morning

    Sarah Turnnidge
    Live page reporter

    Dozens of balloons float in a bright blue sky across the city. There is one that can be seen up close, with a man operating the balloon.PA Media

    Good morning all, and welcome to our live coverage of this year's Bristol International Balloon Fiesta.

    As we speak, thousands of people are waking up across the city in preparation for the first mass ascent of the fiesta. While some are loading into Ashton Gate with balloons in their trailers, many more are heading to the park to watch the spectacle up close or to see the skies fill up at viewpoints across the city.

    We are on the scene right now amongst the hustle and bustle of the dawn preparations, and will be with you here throughout the day to take in the best stories and pictures from this year's gathering.