2008 BRISTOL BALLOON FIESTA

Britain’s world famous aerobatic display team – The Red Arrows have confirmed that they will be appearing at the Discovery Channel Bristol International Balloon Fiesta on Sunday August 10th.  2008 is the 44th display season in which the Red Arrows have demonstrated the professional  excellence of the Royal Air Force to millions of people in both the UK and worldwide. Since the Team’s creation in 1965 the Red Arrows have flown over 4000 displays in 53 countries. Today the Red Arrows are renowned throughout the world acting as ambassadors for Great Britain when displaying overseas.

  Early morning mass assent Friday 2007

When can I watch  mass ascents of hot air balloons?

The colourful mass ascents of over 100 balloons will take place at 6am and 6pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Thursday at 6pm all the comical and bizarrely shaped balloons will all take to the skies at the Special Shapes Rodeo.

When are the Night Glows taking place?

The famous Night Glow is so popular there are now two! They will be held at 9.30pm on Thursday and Saturday.

What are the opening hours of the Fiesta?

Thursday 7th of August - 12.00 midday to 10.30pm (Fair closes at 10.00pm)

 Friday 8th August - 6.00am to 8.30pm

Saturday 9th August - 6.00am to 10.30pm

Sunday 10th August - 6.00am to 8.30pm

Why are there traffic congestion problems around the site?

The Fiesta site is a heritage site which was not originally designed to cope with the amount of traffic it gets during the event but the traffic management system is revised every year to maintain good traffic flow around the site. You can help to prevent these disruptions by ensuring you use one of the two official fiesta car parks on the estate. There are other obvious factors that can’t be planned for, breakdowns and accidents etc. In this instance, Fiesta staff contact the relevant services immediately and continue to maintain free traffic flow to the best of their ability. This year BBF have completely revised the entrance and exiting of all vehicular and pedestrian traffic in and out of the Fiesta.

Is the Clifton Suspension Bridge closing again this year?

 Yes, the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust has made the decision to close the bridge to both vehicles and pedestrians at scheduled times over the weekend, due to the large volumes of people crossing the bridge at any one time.