Photos: Hot air balloons over Bristol

Hot air balloons launch during a mass take off at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, Britain.

Dozens of hot air balloons have been taken to the skies from a park in Bristol. The event was organised following the cancellation of the annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta due to the pandemic.

The largest annual hot air balloon event in Europe attracts more than 500,000 visitors. Still, organisers decided to cancel the usual on-the-ground activities at the Ashton Court estate for the second year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Crew members inspect a partially inflated hot air balloon at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol, Britain.

A hot air balloon is seen flying at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in Bristol.

Residents submitted over 700 nominations to help pick where the balloons would take off from – these included local parks, public spaces, car parks and streets.

The organisers of the annual festival are partnering with Costa Coffee to launch the so-called 'Fiesta Fortnight'.

Hot air balloons launch during a mass take off. The event, which takes place between August 2 and August 15, will see hundreds of hot air balloons taking off from multiple locations across the city.

Chris Allcock, chair of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, said: “It’s a big joy to have the balloons here. Last year we could do very, very little, but we’ve got a plan for this year, and we’re going to have balloons all over Bristol for the Fiesta Fortnight.”

Crew members inflate a hot air balloon.