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Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta is back! Here’s everything you need to know

Bigger, better and balloonier – the Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta takes off for three days of soaraway fun!

It promises to be a spectacular four days at Knavesmire over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Gates open at noon today (Friday, 27 August) with a host of family entertainment taking place throughout the afternoon including York’s largest funfair, daredevil stunt displays, exiting flight displays from birds of prey and music acts taking to the YorkMix Radio stage. 

And of course loads of amazing hot air balloons!

Here’s everything you need to know.

Dates and times

Friday, 27 August: Noon-10pm
Saturday, 28 August: 6.45am-11pm
Sunday, 29 August: 6.45am-10pm
Monday, 30 August: 11am-11pm

Tickets

Tickets on the gate are £3 – CASH ONLY
Car park pass £10 – CARD ONLY

Included in your ticket:

– Free entry for children under 1m
– Access to Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta on your chosen day
– All acts on the Main Stage and Arena on your chosen day
– Mass balloon launch on all four days (weather dependent)
– Watch the Night Glow on Friday or Saturday and the Firework and Laser show finale on Monday
– £1 from your ticket is split between our three charities Yorkshire Air Ambulance, St Leonards Hospice and York Rescue Boat.

Parking and travel

Parking

There is limited availability for parking and it is recommended that you arrive early or use the First York Park and Ride. Car park pass – £10

Park and Ride

York’s Askham Bar Park and Ride will be stopping at the Knavesmire where Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta is held.

They are also extending services. Sunday services will be extended until 10.30pm, whilst Friday, Saturday and Monday services will run until 11.30pm.

Adult return – £3.30
Child return – £1.70
Concession return – £1.20

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What’s on day by day

Hugely popular – the York Balloon Fiesta 2018. Photograph: Richard McDougall

Friday 27 August

Noon: Gates open

Noon-10pm: York’s Largest Funfair

Noon-10pm: The Labyrinth Challenge – the world’s largest, continuous inflatable obstacle course

1pm: Owl Adventures – Flights from birds of prey

1.30pm: Stunt World – Daredevil stunts in the arena

3pm: Owl Adventures – Flights from birds of prey

4pm: Stunt World – Daredevil stunts in the arena

4.30pm-5.30pm: Wannabe – Spice Girls Tribute

5.45pm to 6.45pm: Evening Mass Balloon Launch (weather dependent)

6.45pm to 7.45pm: Sam Sax

7.50pm to 8.50pm: Abba Arrival

9pm to 9.20pm: Night Glow – Tethered hot air balloons lighting up to a mixture of music (weather dependent)

Saturday 28 August

6.45am to 7.45am: Morning Mass Balloon Launch – Watch as all of balloons take to the skies (weather dependent)

11am: Gates open

11am-11pm: York’s Largest Funfair

11am-11pm: The Labyrinth Challenge – the world’s largest, continuous inflatable obstacle course

Noon: Owl Adventures – Flights from birds of prey

12.30pm: Stunt World – Daredevil stunts in the arena

2pm: RAF Falcons Parachute Team – military parachute display

2.30pm to 4pm: Balloon Tethering

4.15pm: Owl Adventures – Flights from birds of prey

4.45pm: Stunt World – Daredevil stunts in the arena

5.45pm to 6.45pm: Evening Mass Balloon Launch (weather dependent)

6.45pm to 7.45pm: Rod Stewart Tribute by Stan Terry

7.55pm to 8.55pm: The Dolly Parton Experience

9pm to 9.20pm: Night Glow – Tethered hot air balloons lighting up to a mixture of music (weather dependent)

9.20pm to 10.20pm: The Upbeat Beatles

Sunday 29 August

6.45am to 7.45am: Morning Mass Balloon Launch – Watch as all of balloons take to the skies (weather dependent)

11am: Gates open

11am-10pm: York’s Largest Funfair

11am-10pm: The Labyrinth Challenge – the world’s largest, continuous inflatable obstacle course

11.30am to 2.30pm: It’s A Knockout – Teams take on an an inflatable course

2.30pm: Stunt World – Daredevil stunts in the arena

3pm: Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter landing (subject to availability)

3.30pm to 4.30pm: Proud Tina – Tina Turner tribute

4.45pm-5.45pm: The Lancashire Hotpots – Comedy folk group

5.45pm to 6.45pm: Evening Mass Balloon Launch (weather dependent)

6.45pm to 7.45pm: Huge Party Band

8pm to 9pm: Definitely Oasis

Monday 30 August

11am: Gates open

11am-11pm: York’s Largest Funfair

11am-11pm: The Labyrinth Challenge – the world’s largest, continuous inflatable obstacle course

11.30pm: Stunt World – Daredevil stunts in the arena

12.15pm: Owl Adventures – Flights from birds of prey

12.45pm to 2.15pm: Balloon Tethering

2.30pm-3.30pm: Andy and The Odd Socks – Energetic children’s band

4pm: Stunt World – Daredevil stunts in the arena

4.30pm-5.30pm: Rolling Stones Tribute

5.45pm to 6.45pm: Evening Mass Balloon Launch (weather dependent)

7.15pm to 8.15pm: Re-Take That

8.30pm to 9.30pm: Phats and Small

9.40pm to 10pm: Firework, Drone and Laser Show Finale – a huge firework display, including drones and lasers, dedicated to key workers