Llangollen Enterprise
Anturieth Llangollen
Parade Street
Llangollen
Denbighshire
North Wales
LL20 8PW
United Kingdom
Llangollen Enterprise Office
telephone: +44 (0)1978 861345
fax: +44 (0)1978 861345
e-mail: le@llangollen.org.uk
Tourist Information Office
telephone: +44 (0)1978 860828
fax: +44 (0)1978 861563
e-mail: llangollen@nwtic.com
Once a year since 1997, some of the strangest shapes imaginable have been seen floating in the sky above Llangollen and up the Dee Valley.
Visitors needn't worry though, as the aliens haven't arrived just yet but some of the most spectacular hot air balloons in Europe have!
The Llangollen Hot Air Balloon Festival is one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the year with up to 30 balloons taking to the skies on the Friday evening as well as both the morning and evening of the Saturday and Sunday - weather permitting!
The festival annually attracts thousands of fascinated spectators, to the field at the Royal International Pavilion, where it is based, to wonder at the skill of the pilots of these leviathons of the air, from setting up to getting airbourne - it has to be seen to be believed!
The spectacle of up to 15 hot air balloons gently lifting off one by one and gently drifting away as they gain thousands of feet in height is one you will never forget, especially if your lucky enough to be in one.
But don't expect them to come back and make a perfect landing from where they launched though! Once up there a balloon is literally in the lap of the gods, being at the whim of the wind direction, making every flight a true mystery tour!
Back on terra firma there's still plenty to enjoy in the main arena, with balloon tethering displays, falconry and motorcycle display teams and much, much more.
Saturday night traditionally features a 'nightglow' to music, where a series of tethered balloons fire their burners to an exciting selection of sounds - a sight to remember for all the family!
Visit the Llangollen Hot Air Balloon Festival website for up to the minute developments at this years show on www.hotairballoonfestival.co.uk
