Balloon Meets & Events
Updated 12.12.2024
There are a few European meets that are getting cancelled as a result of the global situation (buzzword from Cold War days), some at short notice so best check first. Additionally Middle Eastern Meets in and around the events connected with the Israeli Conflict could affect meets in neighbouring countries. As yet all seem to be going ahead but worth checking nearer the time. More dates will be coming up soon.
If you know of, or have, an event you want listed here, we’d be delighted to hear from you, doesn’t have to be just ballooning! If you do attend one of these meets it would be great to get some feedback along with some pictures if that is possible, thanks. Email chris@easyballoons.co.uk
The events and meets listed here are always subject to weather. Some of them are regional club meetings and events and although not ‘public events’ you will more often than not be able to see and get up close to the balloons, pilots and crews. If you want to get involved in ballooning these are the places to go. Where entry fees are posted then they refer to the balloon teams and are not necessarily an admission charge. If you wish to just go and spectate then you will be made most welcome and entry for spectators at most events is free but please take notice of any instructions that are given to you. They will be for your safety. Flights are generally early morning, shortly after sunrise, and late afternoon. If you want to get involved have a word with the organisers, pilot or crew or check out the British Balloon & Airship Club’s website www.bbac.org where a list of regional clubs can also be found. You will also find details and links to the Regional Clubs on our ‘Links’ page. Balloon pilots are always on the look out for willing crew!
Balloon Events and Meets
Worldwide list with links at http://www.balloonevents.org/
Free events guide: http://www.free-events.co.uk/
Dates for 2025
4-5 January 2025 Icicle Refrozen. Donnington Grove Hotel, Newbury RG14 2LA. All welcome trade show, and old balloons and balloonists bound to be in attendance Entry fee for balloons £20.00 per balloon. Nosh up with guest speaker on Saturday evening. Full details on the webpage https://icicle-refrozen.com/
8 March 2025 BBAC Annual General Meeting No 61. Greens Norton Community Centre, Towcester Road, Greens Norton. Northants NN12 8BL. Planned as another Members’ Day with Guest speakers, talks and discussions. AGM commences at 14.00hr. Non-members welcome but not for the AGM bit obviously. For details contact BBAC Secretary email secretary@bbac.org
30 March BST and all that I o’clock in the morning clocks go forward just when I was getting the hang of it, mind you be able to get walking a bit later or earlier depending how you look at it!
23 April St George’s Day. Get out your sward and seek out a dragon. Yippee its a Wednesday so we will be closed even if we are! Best find somewhere to go celebrate.
27 April Drive it Day Got a rusty old car, moped, motor bike or motorised pram? Feel you are an Old and Rusty? Time to get out the Oxford Cambridge and bang and pop down the road for a laugh. Maybe we can have an Old and Rusty Fly it Day Hmm we’ll give it a thought. Its a Sunday so go to church in it. www.driveitday.co.uk
30 May-I June Midlands Air Festival Ragley Hall, Alcester, Warwickshire B49 5NJ. This is the 7th Festival. Brilliant event and very popular with balloonists. Camping. Loads of stuff to see and do. Balloonists package includes pretty much everything. There is a charge for spectators but it is always really worth it if you love everything aerial. First flight is Friday morning with the spectacular Nightfire event on Friday evening. Details from www.midlandsairfestival.com or email balloons@midlandairfestival.com
17 July-24 August Perseid Meteor Shower (Comet Swift-Tuttle’s tail). Peaks on night of 12 August. Moon sets at midnight. Look towards the north-east. Find Cassiopeia, The five stars that form the distinctive ‘W’ and directly below is the constellation of Perseus which they appear to radiate from.
8-10 August 2025 Bristol Balloon Festival Ashton Court Bristol, All the usual stuff. Down to a three day event on account of hard times and the effects of Covid and the weather. Still free but spectators invited to make a donation. Nightglows Friday and Saturday. Free entry but public car parking charge. Hospitality tickets available book through the website. Website www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
15-17 August Northampton Balloon Festival. Old Racecourse, Kettering Road, Northampton.
Not a racecourse anymore but it still ranks as a giddy up meet. Probably a Night Glow and Fireworks and stuff to do during the day. Details from Matt & Chris Enterprises Contact events@vistaballoonflights.co.uk
21 October Trafalgar Day Tuesday this year so technically if we are open we will be having the day off. Might have to have a trip to Southwold or mount a cannon on the front of the Enterprise dingy and go in search of a Spanish Galleon on the canal. Could go to Buckler’s Hard where Agamemnon, his favourite ship was built. It did take part in the Battle of Trafalgar where she took took on the Santisima Trinidad, a four decker and probably the biggest warship in the world. Hmm.