The 2025 Lord Mayor's Balloon Regatta is coming to London this weekend: date, start time and everything you need to know
This year's regatta has already tried and failed once. Sunday, May 11 was the first date pencilled in for the 2025 event, but the balloons were stood down due to high winds.
But all is not lost! Two more potential dates in July have been earmarked for take-off – and the first one of those is this weekend. Here's what you need to know about plans for the Balloon Regatta this month.
When is the 2025 Lord Mayor's Balloon Regatta in London?
Could 2025 be the year that the balloons soar high above the city once more? We hope so. Following a failed attempt in May, this year's Lord Mayor's Hot Air Balloon Regatta is now next set to take place on Sunday, July 20.
If we don't have lift-off this weekend, there's one more chance in 2025 for the balloons to take off. That'll be exactly one week later, on Sunday July 27.
What time does the event start?
If the weather holds up – and TBH it may well not, more on that below – the balloons will take to the skies at 5.30am from Battersea Park. By sunrise, you should be able to see the whole parade of balloons floating peacefully above iconic London landmarks Buckingham Palace and the London Eye to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.
What other potential dates could the event take place?
If the first July launch doesn't go to plan, organisers have earmarked July 27 for one final go. You can find updates for this year's regatta over on its website.
It's not just a pretty sight. The extravaganza was created to help raise awareness of the Lord Mayor's Appeal, an initiative that has raised more than £250,000 since 2015 for local charities committed to things like mental health, empowering young people and ending homelessness.
What's the weather forecast?
Honestly, the coming Sunday ain't looking great for flying hot air balloons.
BBC Weather reckons Battersea is set for 'thundery showers' on Sunday, while the Met Office is forecasting rain in the morning with wind gusts of up to 28mph.
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