Dozens of hot air balloons filled the skies above Bristol on Friday for the city’s annual fiesta. The mass ascent for the 48th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, one of the largest in Europe, took place at the Grade I-listed Ashton Court Estate. Hot air balloons bobble on the ground at Ashton Court Estate, Bristol, as balloon crews prepare for the 2026 Bristol Balloon Fiesta (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images - Ben BirchallCrews push hot air balloons into position before lift-off (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images - Ben BirchallBalloons of all shapes and sizes take part in the fiesta (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images - Ben BirchallThe Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is an annual free festival of hot air ballooning (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images - Ben BirchallThe free, three-day event that began on Friday celebrates the city of Bristol and its links to hot air ballooning. Imaginative designs are a trademark of the festival (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images - Ben BirchallA pilot checks internal rigging inside one colourful balloon (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images - Ben BirchallAn alien hot air balloon floats high above the ground (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images - Ben BirchallArtist Emily Powell took to the skies to paint from a hot air balloon basket (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images - Ben BirchallA hot air balloon pilot makes his final checks (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images - Ben BirchallPilots prepare the hot air balloon burners (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images - Ben BirchallCrews check the crown of one patriotic hot air balloon (Ben Birchall/PA) PA Wire/PA Images - Ben Birchall