Hot-air balloon regatta over London postponed

A hot-air balloon regatta due to take place over London on Sunday 21 July has been postponed once again due to poor weather conditions.

The Lord Mayor’s Hot–Air Balloon Regatta was scheduled to rise from Battersea Park at 05:00 BST but was postponed for the second time this year – and the fifth year in a row. An attempt on 4 July was also scuppered.

Organisers have earmarked 28 July as the next possible date for the mass lift-off of around 50 balloons. The last successful regatta was in 2019.

The event aims to generate awareness about the Lord Mayor’s Appeal and has raised more than £250,000 since 2015.

Funds raised by the Lord Mayor’s Appeal support three charities: MQ Mental Health Research, a mental health research charity; Homewards, a homelessness charity; and National Numeracy, which works to build maths skills across London.

The regatta was last held in 2019, when 46 hot-air balloons launched from Battersea Park at 05:30 BST and floated through the skies across central London.

It was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And in 2022 and 2023 it was stood down due to poor weather.

Wind conditions and rain made it impossible on 21 July in the short window set aside. Several possible dates are ear-marked every year.

This year organisers said the balloons will take flight with the intention of passing over landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

The Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli will lead the event, the organisers added.