The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta has announced Young Bristol as its new official charity partner, marking the start of a three-year partnership that will build towards a pair of landmark anniversaries in 2028.
The partnership will run from 2026 to 2028, culminating in the Fiesta’s 50th anniversary, which coincides with Young Bristol’s 100th year of supporting young people across the city.
To celebrate the start of the partnership, a hot air balloon will visit Young Bristol’s BS14 Youth Club, offering young people a rare, behind-the-scenes introduction to the world of ballooning. Attendees will be invited to help tether the balloon, pack it away, and speak directly with pilots and crew about ballooning as both a sport and a potential career pathway.
Ben Hardy, executive director, Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, commented: “The Fiesta is a free, iconic event that brings the city together each August. What makes this partnership with Young Bristol so powerful is that they create that same sense of belonging and opportunity at a community level, supporting young people through safe spaces, activities and youth led programmes across the city.”
“Together, we’re committed to creating opportunities that inspire aspiration, improve access and strengthen community connection, values that sit at the very heart of both the Fiesta and Young Bristol.”
Lee Williams, Chief Executive, Young Bristol, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to have been chosen as the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta charity partner for the next three years, which will see us celebrate both Young Bristol’s 100th and the Fiesta’s 50th anniversaries.
Young Bristol is dedicated to enabling young people to build brighter futures and is rooted in some of Bristol’s most deprived communities. The partnership will allow us to open doors for young people to discover new career opportunities, grow their confidence and develop essential life skills through structured visits in our community venues and on-site engagement at the Fiesta.
We’re excited to see what’s to come across the three‑year partnership, and look forward to broadening horizons, raising aspirations and creating a lasting impact during Bristol’s famous heritage event.”
In 2026, the partnership will focus on opening doors for young people to gain experiences within the ballooning industry, helping them understand how the sport works and the many roles involved beyond the moment of flight. From engineering and logistics to creative production and live events, the collaboration will shine a light on the pathways that sit behind one of Bristol’s most distinctive global industries.
During the Fiesta itself, Young Bristol will create a brand‑new Young Bristol Zone within the event site. The space will feature the charity’s Youth Club on Wheels, a climbing wall, live performances, creative workshops and sport taster sessions, offering hands‑on activities for young people and families throughout the three‑day event.
Young Bristol will also empower a team of youth ambassadors to act as roaming reporters across the site, capturing the energy of the event and sharing it through a youth lens. Alongside this, the charity will invite visitors of all ages to take part in a “Message to the Sky” installation, encouraging people to share their hopes and aspirations for the future, both for themselves and for the city.
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in partnership with Albert Goodman returns to Ashton Court Estate from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 August 2026. The free‑to‑attend, three‑day event celebrates Bristol’s heritage as the birthplace of ballooning in Europe and remains one of the city’s most loved and recognisable moments in the calendar.
At the heart of the Fiesta is a familiar game of chance, whether the weather will allow the balloons to take flight. When they do, visitors are treated to unforgettable dawn ascents, evening flights and the iconic Night Glows. When they don’t, the site remains alive with activity, creativity and opportunities to experience the magic of ballooning from the ground up.
While the Fiesta is free-to-attend, as a not-for-profit organisation visitors can support the event by purchasing tickets to use the official car parks, and enhance their visit with the event’s hospitality packages. Car parking, hospitality and shuttle bus tickets are available from the event’s website www.bristolballoonfiesta.co.uk
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