Thousands of people at Ashton Court are being treated to the first nightglow of the 2026 Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Earlier the crowds enjoyed the second mass ascent of the weekend
More than 80 balloons took off in the first mass ascent just after sunrise on Friday morning
More lift-offs are planned for Saturday and Sunday
You can find travel details for the event here
And you can use our guide the event to find out what is happening across the weekend
If you spot the balloons flying across Bristol please submit your pictures using the form below
The ever-spectacular nightglow has ended and the crowds are starting to head towards the car parks and pedestrian exits of Ashton Court.
What a day! Two successul mass ascents followed by the glow. Let's hope for more of the same on Saturday.
No fireworks by the way, in case you were wondering.
We’ve had a nightglow proposal! The groom-to-be popped the question right before Raye’s Where Is My Husband? starting playing. Very fitting. Congratulations to the happy couple.
We will never tire of seeing Ashton Court bathed in the light from the balloons after dark.
A huge cheer goes up from the crowd as the nightglow begins. The balloons are all inflated in a line and the music is playing loud. This is what the crowds have stayed at Ashton Court for.
We're waiting for the nightglow to begin.
The crowd is loving the music - Sweet Caroline to be precise. Of course.
Everybody around the Sky Arena has their torch waving while singing the chorus.
They're setting up for the nightglow still, with balloon teams getting ready in the arena.
When it starts, the tethered balloons will fire their burners in time to a playlist curated by BBC Radio Bristol.
The site is busier now than it was earlier - clearly this is a fan favourite.
Stick with us and we'll bring you all the latest once the spectacle begins.
There will be two nightglows at the fiesta this year, the first due to start at 21:00 BST.
These special events often draw the biggest crowds of the weekend to see the balloon crews fire their burners in time to music.
Here's a bit more information about this much-loved spectacle.
Image source, Getty ImagesAs balloons head eastwards across Bristol, some reached Troopers Hill in St George where large crowds had gathered to soak up the sight.
Watch as balloons prepare for mass ascent
Chloe Harcombe
Live page reporter at Bristol Balloon Fiesta
As the balloons make their way across Bristol, here are some more photos from Ashton Court as they took off.
Next up at the arena...the first nightglow of this year's fiesta.
Chloe Harcombe
Live page reporter at Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Most of the balloons here at the fiesta are now up in the air, but unfortunately one didn’t make it.
Earlier, as one balloon rose up, it struck another which was still inflating on the ground - ripping its envelope.
Crew member Daniel Ball said it was "unfortunate" but does happen sometimes.
“Ideally in this close environment they should be getting the balloon nice and hot so that they go straight up," he said.
"It can happen sometimes where if you get a gust of wind when someone takes off, there’s a chance you can hit another balloon, so that’s what’s happened here.
“Unfortunately this is a brand new balloon, so the second flight and it’s ended our day,” he says.
The pilot is “a little bit gutted” to have missed out on this evening's ascent, but luckily the balloon will be repaired.
You've started to capture the balloons as they reach the harbourside.
A few have also made it to Kingswood.
Image source, Kian Griffiths
Image source, Briana M
Image source, Bristol Balloon FiestaAccording to the live tracker, there are currently 25 balloons airborne, which are mostly heading towards Bedminster and Bristol Harbour and reaching as far east as Brislington and St Annes.
You can track the balloons yourself here., external
If you've never been up close to the main arena during a mass launch, rest assured there is a LOT going on.
This photograph from BBC West's Dom Hewitt captures the action very well.
Matty Edwards
Live page reporter
BBC Radio Bristol's Joe Sims chatted earlier to the fiesta's chief executive Ben Hardy who said balloon pilots had come from as far afield as Belgium, Germany and even Mexico.
More than 100 balloons are launching over the weekend.
We've captured the Tattinger balloon taking off as the second mass ascent got under way.
Balloon takes off during fiesta mass ascent
Chloe Harcombe
Live page reporter at Bristol Balloon Fiesta
I’m standing in the middle of the arena as the balloons inflate and take off. There’s people everywhere working on the balloons and getting passengers ready in the baskets for take-off.
I can feel the heat of the burners and hear the excitement of the balloonists and crowds alike as the second mass ascent of the fiesta gets under way.Loads of balloons are already up in the sky heading over towards Bristol city centre - make sure you look up!
There are many favourite spots for Bristolians to watch the balloons come over if they have not made it to Ashton Court.
This is the scene right now in Perrett Park in Knowle, where hundreds of people have gathered with picnics hoping the balloons will come their way.
Image source, Bronwen Lester
Image source, Bronwen LesterChloe Harcombe
Live page reporter at Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Several balloons are up already and heading in the direction of the city centre. Other balloonists are hard at work getting theirs inflated. Pretty soon the sky will feature a variety of balloons for the thousands of people gathered at vantage points in Bristol to enjoy.
Tonight's Points West early evening news is coming to you live from Ashton Court. You can watch at the top of this page right now.
