We’ll have to keep our fingers crossed for this one. After all, second third fourth time’s the charm, right? The Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta, organised by Exclusive Ballooning, takes place around June every year. Or at least, that’s the plan. The British weather has notoriously caused the event to be delayed or cancelled at short notice. Both 2022 and 2021 saw all of their dates sadly cancelled, with the skies not being in our favour. And 2020 didn’t fare much better, though it was lockdown that stood in the way back then. But, this year they’re planning on coming back bigger and better than before!
For 2023, they’ve lined up three potential dates to see a sky full of spectacular hot air balloons this year. Those dates are May 14, May 21, and July 2. Surely one, just one, of these days will work, right?
With a good amount of spacing between the dates, we’re hoping the weather will cooperate at least once and provide appropriate conditions for the hot air balloons to take flight. And as it is supposed to be summer, we reckon there’s a pretty good chance it should go ahead on one of these occasions. But, obviously, we are wholly at the mercy of Mother Nature!
The whole thing is due to kick off pretty damn early, with a 5:30am set-off from Battersea Park. So hot air balloon fans will want to set an alarm to make sure they don’t miss a second. Leading the way will be the official Lord Mayor’s Appeal hot air balloon, carrying both the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. You might spot them gliding over Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye – and it does look bloody lovely when it actually happens!
Up to fifty balloons take to the skies each year, while the event raises funds and awareness for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal. You can keep an eye on the updates page for the procession here.
Also published on Medium.