The much-loved Oswestry Balloon Carnival is set to return this summer, filling the skies and parklands of Oswestry with colour, entertainment and community spirit across the weekend of Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th August 2025.
Organised in partnership with Nightingale House Hospice, Oswestry Town Council, and Oswestry BID, the event will once again take place in the picturesque Cae Glas Park. With a packed programme of entertainment and activities for all ages, this free-to-attend celebration promises a memorable day out for families, friends and visitors from across the region.
While the awe-inspiring hot air balloons remain at the heart of the carnival, there’s much more on offer. Weather permitting, early morning and evening balloon launches will take place across the weekend, with the magical Saturday Night Glow expected to be a show-stopping highlight. This spectacular display sees tethered balloons light up the park in a beautifully choreographed sequence set to music.
Families can enjoy a wide range of attractions and performances from morning until evening, with something for all ages to enjoy. Highlights across the weekend include Tom Longton’s Sheepdog Display, where skilled working dogs herd ducks, geese and sheep in a fun and interactive show, and the ever-popular Ferret World Roadshow, complete with the lively Ferret Fun Races.
Visitors can also look forward to alpaca walkabouts, offering the chance to meet some friendly furry faces throughout the weekend. On Saturday, Harley the Clown will be entertaining the crowds with balloon modelling, circus workshops and plenty of family-friendly laughs.
Sunday brings the Dinky Street pop-up play town, a mini world of imaginative play featuring themed zones such as a veterinary clinic and a campsite. Also on Sunday, Short Scruffs Theatre Co. will take to the main arena with their hilarious puppet show The Jump, followed by circus skills sessions for budding performers.
Walkabout characters, live music, and community performances will add to the buzzing atmosphere across both days, with a high-energy Karamba Samba drumming finale on Sunday afternoon to get the whole park dancing.
Elise Jackson, Events and Campaigns Manager at Nightingale House Hospice, said:
“The Oswestry Balloon Carnival is a highlight in our calendar.
“Not only does it bring people together, but it also raises crucial funds that enable us to continue our work across Wrexham, Flintshire, East Denbighshire, Barmouth and the border towns including Oswestry and Whitchurch.
“We’re incredibly grateful for everyone’s support.”
Entry is free, although visitors are encouraged to make a voluntary donation of £2 upon entry to support Nightingale House Hospice. In 2024, the event raised an incredible £37,000, helping to fund essential care and support services for patients and families across the hospice’s catchment area.
Whether you’re watching balloons drift across the sky, racing a ferret, or enjoying a picnic in the park, Oswestry Balloon Carnival 2025 promises a weekend packed with joy, laughter, and community spirit.
For full event details, visit: oswestryballooncarnival.info
