Bollywood has immortalized the joy of kite-flying – from depictions in 1999’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam to the 2013 film Kai Po Che!. And of course, the joyful kite-flying episodes featured in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashma are just as iconic! A myriad of string-bound creatures float in the spotless sky in the days around Makar Sankranti – and by ‘creatures’, we’re referring to the differently shaped, vibrantly colored kites that fill up the skies! With many cities across India celebrating the tradition of kite flying, Ahmedabad’s International Kite Festival stands out for its sheer scale and grandiosity. Let’s take a look at what makes the Ahmedabad International Kite Festival so special!
Ahmedabad International Kite Festival: A Complete Guide To The Festival
The International Kite Festival takes place every year in January in Gujarat. Oganized by Gujarat Tourism during the Uttarayan (time of Makar Sankranti), the festival attracts kite flyers not only from across Gujarat and India but also from all over the world.
The festival isn’t restricted to just one city – it travels between different cities each year. However, the biggest and longest celebration of the festival takes place in Ahmedabad, spanning over three days!
International Kite Festival 2026 Dates And Schedule
The 2026 edition of the International Kite Flying Festival by Gujarat Tourism will take place from 10th to 14th January. The festival will take place in the cities of Rajkot, Surat, Dholavira, Shivrajpur, Ekta Nagar, Vadnagar, and finally Ahmedabad. Here are the details of the much-anticipated festival.
| 10th January, 2026 | Rajkot, Dholavira, Surat |
| 11th January 2026 | Shivrajpur, Statue of Unity – Ekta Nagar, Vadnagar |
| 13th January 2026 | Vadodara |
| 12th to 14th January | Ahmedabad |
The main and the grandest celebration will take place in Ahmedabad, so if you plan to attend only one location, prefer Ahmedabad over other cities.
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From Japan To Indonesia: Kites From Around The World!
The Ahmedabad International Kite Festival attracts foreign tourists and kite flyers from different parts of the world. Foreigners from China, Japan, Indonesia, Belgium, Malaysia, and others display the unique kites from their respective countries and fly them in the skies of Ahmedabad. From Japanese Rokkaku kites to Indonesia’s Llayang-Llayang, visitors will be amazed to see a range of uniquely shaped kites.
Major Attractions At The International Kite Festival 2026
- Themed pavilion: The venue of the grand festival in Ahmedabad, i.e. Sabarmati Riverfront, will have a themed pavilion depicting the vibrant history of different kinds of kites and destinations from around the world.
- Handicraft stalls: Gujarat is blessed with some of the richest and most unique handicrafts in India. From wooden instruments and flowy textiles to toys, ornaments, and more, visitors will be able to shop for authentic handicrafts at the stalls here.
- Refreshments stall: No celebration in Gujarat is ever complete without delicious refreshments! The International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad will have plenty of food stalls selling delicious street food and traditional delicacies.
- Kite flying: Of course, how can you miss out on the most anticipated event of the festival? Kite flyers from all across the world will gather to display their kite-flying skills. We’re talking about kites shaped like dragons and flowers to kites resembling your favorite cartoon characters!
Ahmedabad International Kite Festival: Dates, Entry, Timings
In Ahmedabad, the International Kite Festival 2026 will take place from 12th to 14th January at the Vallabh Sadan, Sabarmati Riverfront.
The festival will be free to all visitors however, visitors must pay a nominal fee of INR 10 for two-wheeler parking and INR 20 for four-wheeler parking.
The event will begin at 9 AM in the morning and conclude at 6 PM in the evening on all the three days. Each day, visitors will be in for spectacular kite flying demonstrations, bustling handicraft stalls, and food stalls serving mouthwatering food. There will also be a few cultural performances highlighting the rich culture of Gujarat.
While all visitors will be allowed free entry into the venue, they’ll need to purchase passes for entry into some special zones or events. Additionally, visitors will not be allowed to fly their own kites – participation of kite flyers will be taken care of by Gujarat Tourism. International participants will also be invited on an official invite.
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Summing Up
The International Kite Festival 2026 will promise a visually delightful, fun-filled experience for those who like flying kites or simply like attending such festivals. Over the course of five days across cities in Gujarat, the festival will bring in thousands of visitors and kite flyers alike. Not only local talent, but the festival will also attract international kite flyers as they exhibit the traditional kites from their respective countries.
