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Kite Festivals are a great way for kite enthusiasts to come together and share the joy of flying kites. The skies are typically filled with hundreds of beautiful kites of all shapes, sizes and colors. There are a number of well established and newer kite festivals throughout the world, with the most important ones being in Europe, Asia and North America.
INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL
The international Kite Festival is held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat (India) every January 14. It is held in celebration of Makar Sankranti, marking the change of season and the movement of the sun into the northern hemisphere. It is a festival to mark the end of winter. The skies are blue and clear, and filled with beautiful kites of all colors and sizes. The festival draws kite makers from throughout India as well as other parts of the world. This festival is unique because of its cultural significance and is very ancient.
SMITHSONIAN KITE FESTIVAL
The Smithsonian Kite Festival was started in 1967 by aviation pioneer Paul E. Garber. Garber was a founder of the National Air & Space Museum.
The Smithsonian Kite Festival is sponsored by The Smithsonian Associates and National Air and Space Museum. The Festival features kite fliers from across the United States and the world. It is traditionally held at cherry blossom time in the United States' Capital. The Festival holds a Kite Maker Competition as well as a Rokuku Battle, which involves kite fighting.
ARTE VENTO KITE FESTIVAL
The Arte Vento Festival (loosely translated as the Art of the Wind Festival), is held every year in Cervia, Italy on the Last weekend of April/early May. Website: http://www.artevento.com/. This international festival draws competitors from around the world. In 2008, participating countries were Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Canada, China,Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands, Pakistan, Spain, Sweden, Swiss, Tasmania, U.S.A.
BORNEO INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL
The Borneo International Kite Festival, is a week long festival held on the wide open field of an abandoned airfield. Kite enthusiasts come from all over the world to compete and showcase their kite creations.
WEIFENG INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL
This Chinese kite festival is one of the largest and oldest. This site has some information about the festival, but it is mostly in Chinese (with some English) and when last visited it did not function properly.
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