01-05-2025
The Lord Mayor's Balloon Regatta is returning for 2025 this month: date, start time and everything you need to know
It's that time of year again. The time when dozens of magnificent hot air balloons may or may not soar above London's skyline. Though the Lord Mayor's Hot Air Balloon Regatta first launched in 2015 and was intended to be annual event, it's actually only happened four times. Everything was going smoothly up to 2019, then in 2020 it was cancelled due to Covid and every year since then it has been scuppered by bad weather.
When is the 2025 Lord Mayor's Balloon Regatta in London?
So, could 2025 be the year that the balloons soar high above the city once more? We hope so. This year's Lord Mayor's Hot Air Balloon Regatta is being earmarked to take place on Sunday, May 11.
What time does the event start?
If the weather holds up, 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 May launch doesn't go to plan, organisers have earmarked July 20 for the second attempt and 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.
