It was due to be the biggest and best one yet.
But sadly the 2020 York Balloon Fiesta will not take place.
Scheduled for the weekend beginning on Friday, 25 September, this year’s balloon bonanza was to include children’s entertainment, live music, tribute acts, food and drink, as well as a funfair “with rides never seen before in York”.
Not to mention the spectacular hot air balloon flights, and nightly glow in the dark displays.
Today the organisers said that felt they had to cancel the 2020 event owing to the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and the “likely timescales on restrictions being lifted on mass gatherings”.
However they plan to bring it back earlier next year – for four days over the late spring bank holiday, 28-31 May.
York Balloon Fiesta: Full statement
This is not an announcement we ever wanted to make and hope you all understand.
After much consideration and taking on-board all of the available information in relation to the global Covid-19 pandemic, such as likely timescales on restrictions being lifted on mass gatherings, we have had to take the very difficult decision to cancel this year’s York Balloon Fiesta.
Your safety and that of everyone involved in putting on York’s largest free entry event has to be our main priority.
We are determined to make sure 2021 will see the biggest ever York Balloon Fiesta and as such can announce that subject to the York Racecourse racing calendar we will return earlier in the year for four days over the May Whitsun Bank Holiday 28th until 31st May 2021.
We thank everyone who has been working behind the scene on this year’s event and the new dates.
Stay safe everyone and keep following our social media for updates.