Washington State International Kite Festival

View on map
UniqueLong Beach
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesThe festival's location gives it a genuine
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Washington State International Kite Festival in Long Beach

The Washington State International Kite Festival is the largest kite festival in North America, held annually since 1981 on the third weekend of August on the Washington coast near Long Beach. Hosted by the World Kite Museum, the multi-day event draws more than one hundred thousand attendees for mass kite ascensions, kite-fighting competitions, and lighted night kite shows along one of the longest beaches in the United States.

The Washington State International Kite Festival has run on the third weekend of August since 1981, staged on the Long Beach Peninsula on Washington's southwest coast, a stretch of shoreline whose steady, powerful winds make it an especially well-suited location for large-scale kite flying.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival's location gives it a genuine meteorological advantage rare among kite events: the Long Beach Peninsula experiences steady, strong coastal winds, at times strong enough to drag the pickup trucks kites are tethered to or lift a person one hundred feet into the air, making it an unusually reliable and dramatic setting for large-scale kite flying compared to inland festivals dependent on unpredictable local breezes

02

The mystery stays covered

Running continuously since 1981 and hosted by the dedicated World Kite Museum in Long Beach, the festival has built genuine institutional depth around the sport rather than functioning as a one-off beach event, drawing over one hundred thousand attendees to what organizers and regional press describe as the largest kite festival in North America

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Mass kite ascensions

Water and renewal

Living ritual

sending large numbers of kites into the air simultaneously

The sacred route

Living ritual

have remained a signature daytime event throughout the festival's history

The local code

Living ritual

Lighted kite shows after dark

Tradition 5

Living ritual

using illuminated kites choreographed against the night sky

Tradition 6

Living ritual

give the festival a distinct after-hours tradition beyond its daytime flying competitions

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

For Washington State International Kite Festival, plan transport around the exact Long Beach venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual beach and outdoor clothing with a windbreaker or jacket, since the festival's defining strong coastal winds can make conditions feel considerably cooler than the actual temperature.

Safety

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

Where to stay

For Washington State International Kite Festival, stay near the part of Long Beach you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map33.77 N, 118.19 WOpen in Google Maps

Long Beach, WA

Nearest airportLGB — Long Beach
TransportFor Washington State International Kite Festival, plan transport around the exact Long Beach venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Washington State International Kite Festival, stay near the part of Long Beach you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

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 Long Beach via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Long Beach, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearCasual beach and outdoor clothing with a windbreaker or jacket, since the festival's defining strong coastal winds can make conditions feel considerably cooler than the actual temperature.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States 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 Washington State International Kite Festival?

Washington State International Kite Festival is listed for August · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Washington State International Kite Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Long Beach, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

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

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Long Beach, WA

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 URLkitefestival.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August
Source statusOfficial source linked
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