Imagine the thrill of watching a sky filled with colourful hot air balloons, with their reflections in a peaceful lake, as the Norfolk countryside awakens to a new day. That’s the kind of magic you’ll experience at the Old Buckenham Balloon Festival—definitely a highlight of August in Norfolk!
It may not be the largest balloon festival out there, but it’s one that leaves a lasting impression. We had a fantastic time at the 2024 edition and can’t wait to go again in the future. Here’s a breakdown of our experience and what you can expect when you visit.
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Balloon Launches and Night Glows
One of the most exciting aspects of the festival is the balloon launches, which take place at 5:45 and 17:45 — weather permitting, of course! For safety reasons, they can not allow the balloons to take off if it is raining or too windy. For the latest schedule and any cancellations, check the Old Buckenham Country Park Facebook page before heading out.
There’s something truly special about seeing those massive balloons rise into the sky, especially in the calm of early morning. For me, the sunrise flight was the standout moment of the festival. With fewer people around, the serenity of the scene made it feel magical. The night glows, where the balloons light up to music against the night sky, are another must-see, but they only happen on Friday and Saturday nights around 21:00.
For the best view of the balloon flights and glows, we recommend setting up on the edge of the lake on the side by the café where the reeds and vegetation aren’t too high. This spot offers gives you views of the reflections of the balloons in the water, making for fantastic photos.
If you’re more interested in seeing the action up close, you can watch from the edge of ballooning area, where you can feel the excitement as the balloons are prepared for takeoff. During the day, they did inflate and deflate some of the balloons which was also fun to watch.
We captured some of the magic on video! Check out our footage of the early morning balloon flight and the night balloon glow to get a taste of the experience yourself!
The Venue: Old Buckenham Country Park
Located just outside the village of Old Buckenham—home to one of England’s largest village greens—Old Buckenham Country Park is set within 32 acres of peaceful Norfolk countryside, providing an ideal setting for the festival.
The park features two small natural lakes, one of which offers beautiful reflections of the vibrant balloons, making it perfect for capturing stunning photos. With mature trees, flower-rich grasslands, and plenty of footpaths, it’s a lovely spot to explore and enjoy the day even when the festival is not on.
It takes about 30 minutes to drive from Norwich to Old Buckenham Country Park without traffic. You will want allow a bit longer to get to the festival if you plan on arriving at peak times. We were able to time it so that the traffic was never an issue for us.
Festival Food and Drink Options
When it comes to food, the festival offers a decent variety. There’s a café on site, along with around 10 street food vendors offering everything from burgers to more gourmet options. For the early morning flight, the café was open serving coffee and bacon rolls.
Although outside food and drink are generally not allowed, exceptions are made for kids’ snacks and those with dietary restrictions. I hope they reconsider this policy in the future, as it would be nice to have the option to bring your own food, especially since you spend a lot of time at the event.
The festival does allow empty refillable bottles, and there are two water refill stations available. Several bars are also on-site if you fancy a drink while you wait for the balloons.
Entertainment and Shopping for All Ages
The festival features performances on the main stage throughout the day and into the evening. While we hadn’t heard of most of the acts before, they were entertaining enough to keep us engaged while waiting for the balloons. We saw lots of adults and kids dancing along to the music in front of the stage. When the live acts took a break, Park Radio, the local station for Diss, Eye, Harleston, and the Waveney Valley, filled in.
On Sunday, we noticed a slight overlap in the entertainment, with a steel drum band playing at the same time as another act on the main stage. While it was nice to have so much going on, it would have been better if they had their own separate time slots to fully enjoy each performance.
There’s also plenty to keep the kids entertained at the Old Buckenham Balloon Festival. From a playpark to dinosaur shows, amusements, and a bouncy castle area, children will not get bored.
In addition to the entertainment, there’s a row of stalls selling crafts, jewellery, and other unique items. It’s a lovely area to browse during the day.
Practical Tips for the Old Buckenham Balloon Festival
If you’re planning to visit the festival, here are a few tips:
- Buy Tickets in Advance: Tickets must be purchased ahead of time and some days sell out so don’t wait until the last minute. You can buy single-day or weekend tickets. We recommend getting the weekend tickets to give yourself the best chance of catching a balloon flight.
- Camping Option: The festival offers on-site camping, which is a fantastic way to make the most of the event and not miss out on the early morning balloon flights.
- Wristbands: Upon arrival, you’ll exchange your day or weekend ticket for a wristband, allowing you to come and go as you please as long as your ticket is valid.
- Check for Updates: For the latest schedule and any cancellations, check the Old Buckenham Country Park Facebook page before heading out. During the 2024 event, three of the five balloon flights did not go ahead.
- Phone Signal: For us, we had virtually no phone signal at the festival. We used the free guest Wi-Fi at the café to stay connected.
- Bring Chairs or a Picnic Blanket: Seating is limited. We love our collapsible stools, but a picnic blanket or camping chair works great too. There are some tables and chairs in the café, but unless you arrive early, they may already be taken.
- Shade and Comfort: If you’re after some shade, you can bring a tent, but note that gazebos aren’t allowed. Even if you bring your own shade, it’s also a smart idea to use sun cream.
- Photography Equipment: Don’t forget your photography equipment—tripods are allowed, and you’ll probably need one if you want to do a timelapse or take photos at night.
- Bring a Jacket: It can get chilly early in the morning and once the sun sets, so pack a warm layer to stay comfortable.
- Dogs: This is a dog-friendly event, but they need to be kept on leads.
- Parking: Parking is free, and although we saw some complaints about traffic when leaving, we personally didn’t encounter any significant issues. The walk from the car parks to the event area was less than five minutes.
- No Refunds: Keep in mind that if the balloons are unable to fly or glow due to weather, refunds are not offered.
Old Buckenham Balloon Festival Accommodations
Looking for a convenient place to stay near Old Buckenham Country Park? If you want to be close enough for those early morning balloon flights without the long drive, explore the top nearby options on the map below!
Why You Shouldn’t Miss the Old Buckenham Balloon Festival
Despite the weather-related challenges, the Old Buckenham Balloon Festival is an experience we highly recommend. The thrill of seeing balloons take flight and the family-friendly atmosphere make it an enjoyable and memorable event. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, it’s well worth adding to your Norfolk summer itinerary!
To find out more about the event and buy tickets, check out their website here.
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