York Balloon Fiesta makes THREE big announcements – as tickets go on sale for this year’s event

One of York’s best and biggest events is returning this year – and organisers today made three big announcements about the 2022 event.

York Balloon Fiesta will be back at Knavesmire from Friday 23 to Sunday 25 September.

Combining epic balloon rides, amazing music, a funfair, food and drink and more, it is one of the best and most family-friendly events in the north. And it’s just got even better.

Today fiesta organiser John Lowery announced exclusively on YorkMix Radio three fantastic signings.

1. Scouting For Girls

The Friday night headliners have been announced – and it’s only chart-busting sensations Scouting For Girls!

Known for their huge hits such as She’s So Lovely, Heartbeat, and Elvis Ain’t Dead, Scouting For Girls will play the main stage on Knavesmire.

As the band are the favourites of breakfast presenter Ben Fry, John joked with David Green on YorkMix Radio this morning: “As you know, Ben refused to go on the stage unless Scouting For Girls appeared.

“So I can announce Scouting For Girls will be on the stage on Friday!”

2. Craig Charles

Top DJ Craig Charles is also lined up for the Friday night.

The actor and presenter of the BBC Radio 6 Music show The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show, will DJ a set at the York Balloon Fiesta.

He has done sets at some of the biggest festivals across Europe, and will get York jumping!

3. YorkMix Radio

And the third big announcement: YorkMix Radio are the official partners of York Balloon Fiesta.

David Green, MD of the station, said: “This is fantastic news. York Balloon Fiesta is one of the biggest events of its kind, and a huge highlight of everyone’s calendar in York and North Yorkshire.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the team to make this year’s event the most spectacular yet.

“And with Scouting For Girls headlining on Friday night, Breakfast Show Ben is on cloud nine – and he didn’t even need a balloon to get there!”

Tickets for York Balloon Fiesta went on sale today at the website. They start at £8 in advance for one day, or £25 for a family ticket.

And £1 from each ticket will go to charity. The fiesta is supporting St Leonard’s Hospice, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and York Rescue Boat. It raised £50K for them last year, and hopes to beat that in 2022.

John said: “We like to put on a good show so that people enjoy it. We’ve got some amazing balloons coming from all over Europe.

“We’ve got some fantastic children’s acts coming this time which will be announced soon live on YorkMix.

“It’s great to be in partnership with YorkMix on this project, which is, I believe, York’s biggest event.”