After being halted due to COVID-19, one of Bristol's most spectacular festivals will be making an exciting return this summer. Europe’s largest annual ballooning event will once again be taking over Ashton Court this August.

This year, the event will be celebrating its 44th year and will feature four days of over 100 hot air balloons of all shapes and sizes taking off at dusk and dawn, taking in views of the city.

The Balloon Fiesta team plans to make this a year to remember for balloon enthusiasts and keen spectators, after crowds were excluded from the event last year and in 2020 due to the pandemic, with fly-pasts organised instead. As well as the balloon ascents this year there will be entertainment for all the family throughout the day.

READ MORE: Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2022 date and location announced - full details

On offer will be aerial displays, children’s activities and entertainment, fairground rides, delicious food stalls and bars, balloon tethering and demonstrations, model aircraft displays and a local music stage. And, there's even the opportunity to take to the sky yourself.

Bristol-based experiences and activities platform, Yuup is partnering with Fly Away Ballooning to host an unforgettable experience for two, offering a private balloon flight in the heart of Bristol’s International Balloon Fiesta.

Guests can ride in the Bath Gin hot air balloon with the flight operated by a third generation balloon pilot with decades of experience under his belt. Guests will be right in the heart of the action, witnessing the wonders of the famous balloon gathering as they climb to a height of 1,000ft.

Once in the air, guests can sample some speciality gins from the Bath Distillery whilst watching the stunning West Country scenery pass by beneath them. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity promises to provide the best seat in the house.

But, it certainly wont be cheap. There are only two tickets available per flight and they will set you back an eyebrow raising £600 per person.

The opportunity is available on Friday, August 12, 6pm - 9pm, Saturday, August 13, 6pm - 9pm and Sunday, August 14, 7am - 10am. More information can be found here.

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