One event on September 30, 2017 at 12:00 am
One event on October 1, 2017 at 12:00 am
The skies of York will be transformed this September from Friday 29th September and Sunday 1st October when the city welcomes its first hot air balloon festival, sponsored by TalkTalk Ultra Fibre Optic Broadband.
The Balloon Fiesta is the first of its kind in Yorkshire. A total of 50 hot air balloons, from all across the UK, will fly across York while a fun packed festival-style weekend takes place below. The spectacular display of colourful balloons will be visible from the Knavesmire, home to York Racecourse. The skies will also be lit up with a dazzling Ultra Fibre Optic Night-Glow performance on the Saturday evening.
Visitors and residents can watch the balloons lift off from the Knavesmire while they explore the funfair complete with Victorian inspired rides, live music, a beer tent and tasty street food stalls from Yorkshire vendors.
If you are bringing the kids along then don’t miss the fly-in from Yorkshire Air Ambulance on Sunday afternoon, as they will get the opportunity to sit in the helicopter. Yorkshire Fire & Rescue will also have a fire engine on site for the kids to explore and for adults, there will be beer and gin tasting throughout Friday and Saturday evening.
Each balloon taking part in the festival will have a pilot and dedicated ground team with them to help the balloons get airborne. The balloons will fly twice a day, once just after sunrise then later in the afternoon depending on the weather. Visitors are advised to watch the York Balloon Fiesta Facebook page for details.
The York Balloon Fiesta 2017 is free for everybody to enter and no tickets are required.
Car parking will be available at Knavesmire Racecourse York for a small fee of £6, with £1 per car being donated to the organisers chosen charity, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Public balloon rides will not be available this year as the 50 hot air balloons attending are flown by private pilots for sport.
*York Balloon Fiesta Line up:
Friday 29th September 2017
3.30pm – 4.30pm – Mass Balloon Launch
4.30pm – 8.00pm – Live Music & Entertainment on the Minster FM Roadshow Stage
Beer Tent Open Throughout
Saturday 30th September 2017
7.15am – 8.15am – Mass Launch
12.00pm – 4.00pm – Live Music & Entertainment on the Minster FM Roadshow Stage
1.00pm – 5.30pm – Balloon Tethers
4.45pm – 5.45pm – Mass Launch
6.00pm – 8.00pm – Live Music & Entertainment on the Minster Fm Roadshow Stage
8.30pm – 9.00pm – TalkTalk Fibre Optic Night Glow
Beer Tent Open Throughout
Sunday 1st October 2017
7.15am – 8.15am – Mass Launch
12.00pm – 1.00pm – Live Music & Entertainment on the Minster FM Roadshow Stage
1.00pm – 2.00pm – Yorkshire Air Ambulance Fly In
2.15pm – 5.30pm – Balloon Tethers
4.45pm – 5.45pm – Mass Launch
6.00pm – 8.00pm – Live Music & Entertainment on the Minster FM Roadshow Stage
Beer Tent Open Throughout
* Please note that the event timetable times may change as the planning process continues.
* Balloon activity is weather permitting
See Facebook page for up to date information:
https://www.facebook.com/yorkballoonfiesta/
