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Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2025's timetable has been unveiled - with exciting new events

Bristol Balloon Fiesta 2025's timetable has been unveiled - with exciting new events

BBC News19-06-2025
Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has unveiled its 2025 programme, featuring some novel new events.About 500,000 people are set to descend on Bristol to watch more than 100 hot air balloons fill the skies during the free festival at Ashton Court's country park, between 8 and 10 August.As well as the fan-favourite balloons making a comeback, there will also be a new 140 ft (42 metres) high Oggy the Friendly Dragon.Paul Burrows, from the Bristol Balloon Fiesta committee, said balloonists have already been taking part in test flights. He added: "You would have seen around 13 balloons last night over Bristol and there were some up this morning."
Flying green aliens, dragons, Rupert the Bear and a screwdriver were a few of the special shapes in last year's fiesta, some of which are set to return.Disney's 'Up' balloon, Slick the Dragon and Astro the Alien are also scheduled to make an appearance. "But the big one this year is Oggy the Friendly Dragon," said Mr Burrows. "From Indiana, he's 170,000 cubic ft in capacity and about 140ft (42 metres) high.""Rupert the Bear is also coming back although he doesn't fly anymore," he added.
For the first time this year, visitors will be able to go inside a cold-inflated balloon, in an immersive experience meant to recreate the sensation of being on a flight. On 9 August, the arena will be transformed by a spectacular display of locally crafted balloons in a variety of shapes and styles, as part of a new event led by Bristol's own Cameron Balloons.
Just like in previous years, mass ascents will be attempted each morning and evening - weather permitting - while ballooning will be celebrated across the site.The Nightglow spectacle will also return for two nights - Friday and Saturday.As part of it, dozens of tethered balloons will be lighting up to choreographed bursts of flame in sequence to a music soundtrack produced by BBC Radio Bristol.
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Thought for the Day pundit who accused Robert Jenrick of 'xenophobia' runs refugee resettlement charity and helps them find homes in the UK
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time16 minutes ago

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Thought for the Day pundit who accused Robert Jenrick of 'xenophobia' runs refugee resettlement charity and helps them find homes in the UK

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time18 minutes ago

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Strictly Come Dancing ‘fix' row after Dani Dyer claimed she was a ‘qualified dancer' in unearthed revelation

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time31 minutes ago

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Tom Cullen: ‘I've worked with some nefarious characters'

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In 2023 the two came together when he directed the video for Come On Baby, Sudol's song about a miscarriage. 'It let my grief move,' she said. Is the Tom Cullen entering his forties a different prospect to the one a decade ago? 'I was a very tough person in my twenties, terrified of vulnerability. The last two decades have been about chipping away at myself, trying to get back to the joy of that kid in his parents' rehearsal room. I used to feel being alive was about chasing massive highs and having massive lows, but now I've got a family and life is simple, not fireworks — porridge at 7am, reading a story at 6.30 at night — and that's not scary, it's amazing.'Turning 40 felt like a celebration of that journey to liking myself and knowing I'm resilient. I'm not held back by a constant fear. I don't know what my forties will look like, but I'm ready for it.' Mudtown starts on U&Alibi on August 20 at 9pm; Trespasses is on Channel 4 this autumnLove TV? Discover the best shows on Netflix, the best Prime Video TV shows, the best Disney+ shows , the best Apple TV+ shows, the best shows on BBC iPlayer , the best shows on Sky and Now, the best shows on ITVX, the best shows on Channel 4 streaming, the best shows on Paramount+ and our favourite hidden gem TV shows. Don't forget to check our critics' choices to what to watch this week and browse our comprehensive TV guide

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