26-07-2025
Lord Mayor's balloon regatta cancelled for sixth year running due to 'adverse weather conditions'
The much-anticipated Lord Mayor's Hot Air Balloon Regatta has been cancelled for a sixth year in a row due to last-minute weather concerns.
The event was earmarked for either May 11, July 20 and July 27 as part of the Lord Mayor's Show festivities.
But wind direction and speed have been blamed for the cancellation of the regatta, which could have seen up to 60 balloons in the skies across the capital.
The event was last held in 2019 when 46 hot air balloons launched from Battersea Park, Wandsworth.
It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and then in 2022, 2023 and 2024 due to adverse conditions.
A spokesman said: "We're all really gutted because yesterday it looked like it might happen. It's the British weather. It's such a pain. And everyone had put so much into it."
It's the British weather... It's such a pain
Depending on the direction of the wind, the balloons were set to pass over famous landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the Palace of Westminster and Tower Bridge.
Organisers are hoping the regatta can go ahead in 2026.
The event, which sees Londoners wake up at the break of dawn to see the balloons fly over the capital, supports the Lord Mayor's Appeal and has raised more than £250,000 since 2015.
