Bristol, a city synonymous with hot air ballooning, is preparing for its 48th International Balloon Fiesta. For nearly 60 years, the skies above Bristol have been a canvas for a diverse array of hot air balloons, with the city being the birthplace of the modern hot air balloon in 1967 with the maiden flight of the Bristol Belle.

The upcoming fiesta, scheduled from August 7-9, will once again feature a spectacle of balloons, including many with unconventional designs that have become a hallmark of the event and gained international recognition.

Over the decades, festival-goers have witnessed a parade of uniquely shaped balloons. Among the most memorable are those designed to resemble fantastical creatures and pop culture figures. Alien-shaped balloons, like 'Astro the Alien,' have made regular appearances, captivating onlookers with their otherworldly forms.

Dragons have also been a popular motif, with several large, intricately designed dragon balloons taking flight. These have ranged from fearsome reptilian figures soaring over residential streets to more whimsical interpretations tethered to the ground, complete with accessories like crates. A giant green dragon flying above the Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol. Slick the Dragon hot air balloon tethered on a field. The hot air balloon shows a green dragon with a blue t-shirt and a crate of pallets attached to its back. To the left is a colourful hot air balloon which is being inflated on the grass.

Action figures have also been reimagined as colossal balloons, with a notable example being an Action Man balloon designed in a dynamic skydiving pose, complete with a parachute. A giant hot air balloon shaped like Action Man tethered to the ground of a large field. An Action Man hot air balloon in a skydiving pose, equipped with a parachute and a pack.

Beyond the creatures and characters, other distinctive shapes have included a Scottish bagpiper and a train, adding to the visual diversity of the festival. These unique creations, alongside traditional balloon designs, contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, drawing crowds from around the world to witness these extraordinary airborne displays. A Scottish Piped Piper hot air balloon flying in a mountain range. A black train with red wheels hot air balloon that is tethered near a green field.

The technology behind these balloons involves a powerful burner system that heats the air inside the envelope, causing it to rise. The inside of an inflated hot air balloon. A flame is centre. The balloon is green in colour.

The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta is one of Europe's largest ballooning events, and its history is deeply intertwined with the development of hot air ballooning in the UK, with the first fiesta taking place in 1979.