Bristol Balloon Fiesta - Bristol Design

Bristol Balloon Fiesta

A digital presence for Bristol's iconic International Balloon Fiesta, one of Europe's largest hot air balloon festivals.

Client:Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

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.

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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.

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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.

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Our Process

1

Research

We analyzed visitor needs and event requirements.

2

UX Planning

Mapped critical user journeys and information architecture.

3

Visual Design

Created a vibrant design that captured the event's spirit.

4

Development

Built a high-performance site optimized for traffic spikes.

5

Launch & Support

Provided ongoing support during the event period.

Start Your Project

Ready to create something amazing together? Get in touch with our team to discuss your project requirements. We typically respond to all inquiries within 24-48 hours during business days. For urgent matters, please call the phone number listed in the footer.