NEWS, THINGS TO DO

Washington State International Kite Festival 2025

August 18 – 24, 2025 | Long Beach, Washington

The Washington State International Kite Festival (WSIKF), hosted by the World Kite Museum and the City of Long Beach, is one of the largest and most colorful kite festivals in the world. For an entire week, the skies above the Pacific Ocean will be alive with soaring creations, international kite fliers, workshops, and special events for all ages.

This year’s festival features Michel Gagnon of Team Coriolis, a world-renowned Canadian kite artisan, along with spectacular events like the Teddy Bear Drop, Parade of Colors, mass ascensions, handcrafted kite competitions, and illuminated night flies.

Kite festival program

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Map of kite festival

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Festival Schedule

Monday, August 18

  • Kite Trains & Arches (8–10 am, Field A; Judging at 10 am)
  • Fighter Kite Workshop (11 am–12 pm, Tent #2)
  • Blokarts Demonstrations (10 am–12 pm & 1–4 pm, near Sid Snyder Dr. & Bolstad Ave)
  • Sport Kite Stacks (2–3:30 pm, Field A)

Tuesday, August 19

  • Terrific Tuesday Top Team (all day, team challenges)
  • Club Camps (judging 1–2 pm)
  • Pun Fun (10 am–12:30 pm, Field A — themed flying like Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend and Delta Dawn)
  • Children’s Book Reading (11 am–12:30 pm, Activities Tent)
  • Fighter Kite Demo (12:30–1:30 pm, Field A)
  • Individual Rokkaku Battle (1:30–3 pm, Field A)
  • Team Rokkaku Battle (3:15–4:30 pm, Field A)

Wednesday, August 20 – Kids’ Day

  • Kids Kamps (registration 9:15–11:30 am; judging 1:30–2:30 pm)
  • Foster Grandparent Fun Fly (10–11:30 am, Field A)
  • Kids Games (11:30 am–12:30 pm, Field A)
  • Paint Me Patriotic (Red, White & Blue all day; judging 2–4 pm)
  • Fighter Kite Kids Games & Lessons (12:30–2 pm, Field A)
  • Senior Ballet (2–3:30 pm, Field A)
  • Red, White & Blue Rokkaku Battle (3:30–4:30 pm, Field A)
  • WKA Dinner & Auction (5 pm, Long Beach Grange)

Thursday, August 21

  • Historic & Vintage Kite Display (9:30 am–12:30 pm, Field A)
  • Handcrafted Kite Judging & Showcase (9:30 am–2:30 pm)
  • Theme Fly: Sea Creatures (12–4 pm, Big Kite Field)
  • Fighter Kite Demo (12:30–1:30 pm)
  • Kite Repair Station (1–4 pm, Beer Garden Stage)
  • Sport Kite Stacks Demo (2:30–3:15 pm, Field A)
  • Featured Guest: Michel Gagnon Performance (3:15–3:45 pm, Field A)
  • Indoor Kite Showcase (5–7 pm, Long Beach Elementary)
  • AOK Dinner & Raffle (6 pm, Long Beach Elks)

Friday, August 22

  • Sport Kite Showcase #1 (9:30–10:30 am, Field A)
  • Mass Ascension #1: Delta & Delta Derivatives (10:30–11:30 am, Field A)
  • Kids Kites & Mini Mega Fly (11:30 am–12:30 pm)
  • Mass Ascension #2: Cellular Kites (1:30–2:30 pm, Field A)
  • Featured Guest: Michel Gagnon (2:30–3 pm, Field A)
  • Sport Kite Showcase #2 (3–4 pm, Field A)
  • Mystery Ballet (3:30–5 pm)
  • Sunset-to-Night Lighted Kite Fly (7–10 pm, Field A)

Saturday, August 23

  • Sport Kite Showcase #3 (9:30–11 am)
  • Parade of Colors (11 am, Bolstad Ave. to Field A)
  • Teddy Bear Drop (12 pm, Field A; ages 9 & under)
  • Mass Ascension #3: Cody Kites (12:30–1:15 pm)
  • Rokkaku Challenge (1:30–2:30 pm, Field A)
  • Mass Ascension #4: Flat & Bowed Kites (3–4 pm, Field A)
  • Featured Guest: Michel Gagnon (4 pm, Field A)
  • Sport Kite Showcase #4 (4–5 pm, Field A)
  • WKM Dinner & Auction (5 pm)

Sunday, August 24 – Closing Day

  • Memorial Fly (9:30 am, Field A)
  • Mass Ascension #5: Sparless & Soft Kites (10:30–11:30 am, Field A)
  • Sport Kite Showcase #5 (11:30 am–1 pm, Field A)
  • Blokarts Closing Demonstrations (afternoon)

Visitor Information

  • Parking: $5/day (benefits the World Kite Museum & Ilwaco High School band).
  • Merchandise Booth: Official souvenirs available daily near the buoy.
  • Accessibility: Free golf cart shuttles available to the beach.
  • Rules: Registered flyers only on official fields; spectator safety zones marked.

Conclusion

The 2025 Washington State International Kite Festival promises a spectacular celebration of flight, creativity, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned kite flier, a curious beginner, or simply someone who loves watching the sky fill with color, this weeklong festival is a must-see summer event.

For more details, visit: kitefestival.com