
Bristol Balloon Fiesta
A digital presence for Bristol's iconic International Balloon Fiesta, one of Europe's largest hot air balloon festivals.
The Brief
The Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, a landmark event attracting over 500,000 visitors annually, needed a digital platform that could withstand extreme traffic spikes while delivering a joyful user experience that matched the wonder of the event itself. They needed a solution that would serve multiple audiences: attendees seeking practical information, balloon operators requiring technical details, and sponsors looking for visibility.




The Solution
We designed a colorful, accessible website with intuitive navigation, interactive maps, and real-time updates for weather and event scheduling. Our development team built a scalable infrastructure capable of handling over 100,000 concurrent users during peak times, with special attention to mobile optimization as 78% of traffic comes from smartphones during the event weekend.






The Outcome
The new website has reduced bounce rates by 42% compared to the previous site, with visitors spending an average of 3.5 minutes exploring content. The interactive schedule and map features have been particularly successful, with over 200,000 unique engagements during the event period. Push notifications about weather-dependent balloon launches reached 85,000 subscribers, helping manage crowd flow effectively.






Our Process
Research
We analyzed visitor needs and event requirements.
UX Planning
Mapped critical user journeys and information architecture.
Visual Design
Created a vibrant design that captured the event's spirit.
Development
Built a high-performance site optimized for traffic spikes.
Launch & Support
Provided ongoing support during the event period.