Swindon Balloon Festival is set to make a return for its second year, despite previous poor weather which saw no hot air balloons take flight last year.
The 2025 festival, which was held at Lydiard Park in Swindon, was hugely popular with crowds despite the windy weather, and offered fairground rides, dog agility, war reenactments, motorbike stunt shows, fireworks and a hot air balloon 'night glow.'
Following on from the success of the festival's debut, organisers will now be bringing it back for 2026.
Swindon Balloon Festival 2026 will take place on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, at Lydiard Park and, while hot air balloonists can never promise a guaranteed flight, they're hoping to give it another go.
Last year, the pilots decided that the consistent strong winds made it impossible for any of the balloons - which would have been shaped like Cadbury Creme Eggs, aliens, a snake, sheep, Barclays House, and the Aston Martin logo - to ascend or even be tethered to the ground.
The second day of the event saw similar struggles with the climate conditions, as the 6am balloon ascents were called off, low cloud cover meant that the Jump Dogs Parachute Team were unable to do their planned display, and the end-of-day night glow was again baskets-only.
If all goes to plan in 2026, the hot air balloons will rise from the park grounds and soar across Swindon in a triumph.
Other family activities planned for the festival include a parachute display, living history demonstrations, and a return of the popular night glow.
Speaking at the 2025 event, balloon pilot Jonathan Harris, part of the Butlers team, said: "The weather is annoying, it's very pot luck, but this is a great event for families, the fireworks were brilliant, and all the balloonists I've talked to are really keen to come back, so long may this continue."
Organiser David Bailey estimated that more than 7,000 people came through the gates on the first day of the 2025 debut festival alone.
He added: "It's had a good turnout and the feedback has been very positive, they think this is a wonderful thing that we've done.
"We kept the traffic flowing and there's not much noise - apart from the fireworks and the odd gunshot from the Civil War re-enactors - so the neighbours haven't complained, and the council are happy and want us back next year.
"We will be back next year - hopefully with some balloons next time!"
Other events planned for Lydiard Park in 2026 include a Mother's Day afternoon tea with live harp performances on Sunday, March 15 and a 1920s themed murder mystery evening on Saturday, March 28.
Children can take part in the much-loved Lydiard Park easter trail on Sunday, April 5, and dancing queens can join the ABBA tribute night on Friday, May 22.
Other shows include the arrival of Paulos Circus from June 19 to 28, performances of Romeo & Juliet and The Jungle Book in July and August. and the return of the Great British Food Festival on August 1 and 2.
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“Lydiard Park is an amazing place and a beautiful backdrop to the many events we’ve got coming up this spring," said Councillor Marina Strinkovsky, cabinet member for placemaking and planning.
“It’s a fantastic location and I’m really pleased to see the diversity of things that are happening, there really is something for everyone.
“We’ve still got more events to be announced and there will be plenty to look forward to throughout the year, so keep your eye out for the announcements.”
Full details of all of the events can be found on the Lydiard Park website.
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