A popular hot air balloon festival is coming to Swindon next summer in what promises to be an exciting weekend for the town.

Swindon Balloon Festival is set to take place from Friday, July 4 to Saturday, July 5 2025 at Lydiard Park with a wide variety of activities for all ages.

Up to 35 hot air balloons are expected to be on display accompanied by arena entertainment, while a fireworks display will light up the night sky.

David Bailey, the event’s organiser, said: “The balloons will be going up throughout the day in all different shapes and sizes, while there will always be something going on for attendees.”

Activities will include tethering (balloon rides), balloon launches and a night glow display, weather permitting.

Organisers are expecting up to 20,000 people to attend the festival across the two days of activities.

Similar events held in Cheltenham, Doncaster, Worcester and Northampton have attracted large crowds, with 70,000 people attending the Northampton edition.

As well as the hot air balloons, there will be motorbike stunt shows, historical re-enactments of the American Civil War and the vikings, dog agility shows and a circus workshop for the public to enjoy.

The festival’s organisers, Show Time Events Group, were attracted to the Swindon area due to the positive reception they received at previous events in nearby Cheltenham.

Mr Bailey said: “There is a big influx of balloonists around Bristol and Swindon who encouraged us to bring the festival here. We have been hosting these events since 2016 and are in it for the long run, we’ve just held a festival in Worcester for the third straight year.”

Early bird tickets are now available for £4 for Friday’s event which starts at 4pm, while Saturday’s activities get underway at 12pm with tickets priced at £5 for children and £7 for adults.

There will also be a fairground at an additional cost, while food and drink will be on offer alongside craft events and charity stalls.

Organisers intend to partner with Swindon Borough Council and the community to identify local charities that can benefit from funds raised.

Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, said: “I’m excited by the idea of balloons over Lydiard Park – the sight will be simply gorgeous.

“Officers have been working closely with the organiser to make sure it’s a success that residents and visitors to Swindon can enjoy.

“Full details of the event will be confirmed shortly, so keep an eye out on the Council and Lydiard Park’s social media pages for more information.”

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