International Kite Festival Gujarat

Uttarayan / International Kite Festival

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UniqueAhmedabad
DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking
Duration5 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesThe festival's kites include giant show
LanguageHindi, English, and local languagesCurrency: INR
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

International Kite Festival Gujarat in Ahmedabad

The International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, launched by Gujarat Tourism in 1989, sits alongside Uttarayan, the mid-January festival marking the sun's shift into Capricorn. Kite flyers from Gujarat and abroad gather along the Sabarmati Riverfront to fly show kites and fighter kites, while across the city rooftops fill with manja-string kite duels tied to the older Uttarayan tradition.

Gujarat Tourism formally launched the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad in 1989, building a modern showcase on top of a kite-flying tradition Gujaratis already practiced for Uttarayan, the mid-January festival marking the sun's move into the Capricorn zodiac.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's kites include giant show pieces and international team demonstrations, but the deeper local layer is the citywide rooftop kite-fighting tradition of manja: cotton thread hand-coated in glass powder and glue, used to cut down rival kites in flight

02

The mystery stays covered

Ahmedabad's old city holds generations of family workshops making kites and manja by hand, and trade in these workshops spikes sharply in the weeks before the festival

03

The city starts moving

Because Uttarayan is a solar-calendar festival, its dates fall reliably in mid-January rather than shifting like most Hindu festivals do

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Rooftop kite-duelling with glass-coated manja thread is the citywide folk practice underlying the organized festival

Water and renewal

Living ritual

alongside Uttarayan food traditions such as undhiyu and til-gud sweets eaten on the day

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Long sleeves and closed shoes for rooftop flying, since manja string can cause cuts; a cap and sunscreen for hours spent outdoors.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Ahmedabad you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

INR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map23.03 N, 72.59 EOpen in Google Maps

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Nearest airportAMD — Sardar Vallabh Patel
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Ahmedabad you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Ahmedabad via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Ahmedabad, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare faresFestival gearLong sleeves and closed shoes for rooftop flying, since manja string can cause cuts; a cap and sunscreen for hours spent outdoors.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for India and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is International Kite Festival Gujarat?

International Kite Festival Gujarat is listed for Past edition: 10–14 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does International Kite Festival Gujarat take place?

The festival is listed in Ahmedabad, India. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

5 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually January
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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