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The 2025 Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta has been delayed until July: date, start time and everything you need to know

London’s colourful hot air balloon parade has been called off every year since 2020, and has already failed to take off in 2025. Could it take off in July?

Amy Houghton
Written by
Amy Houghton
Contributing writer
Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta in London, with hot air balloons flying high above the city
Photograph: Exclusive Balloons
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It’s that time of year again. The time when dozens of magnificent hot air balloons may or may not soar above London’s skyline. Though the Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta first launched in 2015 and was intended to be annual event, it’s actually only happened four times. Everything was going smoothly up to 2019, then in 2020 it was cancelled due to Covid and every year since then it has been scuppered by bad weather.

This year’s regatta has already tried and failed once. Last Sunday (May 11) was the first date pencilled in for the 2025 event, but the balloons were stood down due to high winds. 

But all is not lost! Two more potential dates have been earmarked for take-off. Here’s what you need to know. 

When is the 2025 Lord Mayor’s Balloon Regatta in London?

Could 2025 be the year that the balloons soar high above the city once more? We hope so. This year’s Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta is next set to take place on Sunday, July 20. 

What time does the event start?

If the weather holds up, the balloons will take to the skies at 5.30am from Battersea Park. By sunrise, you should be able to see the whole parade of balloons floating peacefully above iconic London landmarks Buckingham Palace and the London Eye to the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

What other potential dates could the event take place?

If the first July launch doesn’t go to plan, organisers have earmarked July 27 for one final go. You can find updates for this year’s regatta over on its website

It’s not just a pretty sight. The extravaganza was created to help raise awareness of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, an initiative that has raised more than £250,000 since 2015 for local charities committed to things like mental health, empowering young people and ending homelessness. 

Take a look at all the other best things happening in London this month.

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