Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

Plenty of 'oohs' and 'aahs' expected at Europe's biggest hot air balloon event, with balloons of all shapes and sizes and stunning air displays from the likes of the Red Arrows.

It’s worth dragging yourself out of bed early to catch the impressive mass balloon ascent that takes place every morning at 6.00am, but if you prefer a lie-in, there’s a repeat performance in the early evening. If you book in advance with one of the specialist companies attending, you might even get a place in one of the baskets.

The event is also famous for its 'Night Glows', where around 30 balloons light up the night sky, glowing in time to music, with a breathtaking firework finale.

But it's not just about balloons. Previous years have featured dare devil performances from helicopter, paragliding and motorcycle display teams, plus loads of family activities such as fairground rides, giant outdoor games, climbing walls, archery and laser clay pigeon shooting. There’s also a food court, an arts and craft fair and around 250 trade stands.

With so much on offer, you may want to come back to this brilliant free event over several days.