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With summer in full swing, there are plenty of events taking place across the Somerset area for families to enjoy.

From the Weston Air Show to Glastonbury Festival, there is no shortage of ways to spend your weekends over June, July and August.

But each year, the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of the season's highlights, with thousands of people attending from Somerset and beyond.

The event is Europe's largest annual meeting of hot air balloons - with around 130 of them set to take off from the Ashton Court Estate.

When is the 2019 Bristol Balloon Fiesta?

This summer, the free event will take place from Thursday, August 8 through Sunday, August 11.

These are all the dates and times you need to plan for the big weekend:

Thursday, August 8

12pm: Fiesta opens balloon tethering - launch field

6pm: Mass hot air balloon lift

9pm: Nightglow and firework finale

10.30pm: Fiesta closes

(Image: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

Friday, August 9

12pm: Fiesta opens balloon tethering - launch field

6pm: Mass hot air balloon lift

9pm: Nightglow and firework finale

10:30pm: Fiesta closes

Saturday, August 10

6am: Fiesta opens and mass hot air balloon lift in association with Classic FM

8am: Model hot air balloon competitions

12pm-5.30pm: Arena entertainment

6pm: Mass hot air balloon lift

9pm: Nightglow and firework finale

10.30pm: Fiesta closes

Sunday, August 11

6am: Fiesta opens and mass hot air balloon lift in association with Classic FM

8am: Model hot air balloon competitions

12pm-5.30pm: Arena entertainment

6pm: Mass hot air balloon lift

10:30pm: Fiesta closes

How to get to the 2019 Bristol Balloon Fiesta

By Car:

Ashton Court is situated to the south west of Bristol city centre. Directions to the car parks can be found on your print at home ticket, once you've taken the decision to go to the event.

Organisers urge you not to use SAT NAV devices and follow event road signage to the correct car park.

By Bicycle:

Those wishing to cycle can take ‘Festival Way’, a traffic-free path connecting Bristol city centre to Ashton Court Estate and beyond.

Starting in Bristol, you can use the National Cycling Route 33 which takes you on a traffic free path from Queens Square out of the city via Cumberland Road.

Crossing the River Avon you join Kennel Lodge Road as you enter Ashton Court.

There is bike parking available onsite by the Mansion House and the fallow deer park.

(Image: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

On Foot:

For those on foot, there are two main routes into the Fiesta site via Festival Way or via the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

By Bus:

The First Bus Balloon Shuttle bus service is operated by First Bus, from Temple Meads Train Station and the City Centre – Metrobus Stop C2, Colston Avenue to the Balloon Fiesta.

The fiesta recommends local residents take advantage of this service. Tickets can be purchased on the bus with no need to pre book.

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