Image source, Getty Images

Two mass ascents, a giant scarecrow, one amazing nightglow and a marriage proposal - not bad for day one of the fiesta. But like the scarecrow, we need a lie down.

We're pausing our live coverage now, but we'll be back with you bright and early ahead of what will hopefully be another early morning mass take-off.

What a way to propose! Jacob asked Poppy to marry him in the midst of the nightglow - and she said yes!

A lovely moment.

Want to relive the first nightglow of the 2026 Bristol Balloon Fiesta?

Course you do.

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 Images

As balloons head eastwards across Bristol, some reached Troopers Hill in St George where large crowds had gathered to soak up the sight.

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 Fiesta

According 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.

We've captured the Tattinger balloon taking off as the second mass ascent got under way.

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!