For the 2019 event go here.
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Update 18th June 8pm:
Launch confirmed for Sunday 19th June.
The launch site is Burgess Park, Albany Road, SE5 7QH. There is no parking on site, there is no smoking on site.
The intended launch time is around 4:45-5am with the expected flight track to the east side of Tower Bridge north of Canary Wharf heading out towards Romford.
Twitter users asked to use #BalloonRegatta where possible.
There is a chance, just a chance, that a huge flotilla of hot air balloons will drift over London early on Sunday morning.
As the sun rises, a field in south London will see flat lifeless sacks come alive with fiery breath and at a little after 5am, the whole lot lift off to drift silently over the sleeping city.
Lord Mayor’s own balloon
Due to the weather dependent nature of this event, the Balloon Regatta will be on standby on each Sunday throughout June, with an official weather call being made each week.
The dates for the 2016 Regatta are 5th, 12th, 19th or 26th June.
This Sunday is the first attempt — and according to their website — they are go for a Sunday lift-off.
You can either check their website, or follow the Lord Mayor’s charity via Twitter.
Balloon lift-off in 2015
The Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta is now an annual event — which took place for the first time last year — and raises money and awareness for the Lord Mayor’s charity.
Last year, the lift off was from a park in Shoreditch shortly after sunrise and they headed south over London. The direction/takeoff site this year will naturally, depend on what the weather is up to.
More details here
Heading off towards Kent
Just watched the flotilla drift over the O2. Unfortunately they went past before the sun was up so it wasn’t as colourful as it might have been. I have some photos if you like.