The International Kite Festival 2026 or IKF is happening in Gujarat, from 10th to 14th January. The much-awaited festival, occurring during the Uttarayan festival (time of Makar Sankranti), will span for five days and will be a spectacle unlike any other. To make the festival even more memorable, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the IKF in Ahmedabad along with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Here are all the details of this festival and the now-viral Modi-Merz moments from the festival.
Ahmedabad International Kite Festival: A Complete Guide To The Festival
The International Kite Festival takes place every year in January in Gujarat. Organized by Gujarat Tourism during the Uttarayan, the festival attracts kite flyers from all over India and abroad.
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! In 2026, the celebration in Ahmedabad will take place from 12th to 14th January.
International Kite Festival 2026 Dates And Schedule
The International Kite Flying Festival 2026 by Gujarat Tourism will take place from 10th to 14th January, 2026. The festival will take place in 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 |
PM Modi And Friedrich Merz Fly Kites At The IKF 2026!
On 12th January, 2026, PM Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Marz inaugurated the Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront. They later participated in flying kites at the International Kite Festival 2026.
Chancellor Merz’s participation comes during his first official visit to India. His visit to India underscores the cultural and diplomatic significance of the event. Visuals of the two leaders enjoying the festival went viral on social media.
Prior to the festival’s inauguration, PM Modi welcomed Chancellor Merz to the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. They paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and Merz signed the visitors’ book there. Aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Germany, Merz’s visit to India will coincide with 75 years of diplomatic relations and 25 years of the Indo-German Strategic Partnership.
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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. Expect the skies to be filled with all kinds of kites, from kites shaped like dragons and flowers to kites resembling your favorite cartoon characters!
Ahmedabad International Kite Festival: Dates, Entry, Timings
The IKF 2026 will take place in Ahmedabad from 12th to 14th January at the Vallabh Sadan, Sabarmati Riverfront. While it will be free for visitors, they will be required to pay a nominal fee of INR 10 for two-wheeler parking and INR 20 for four-wheeler parking.
It will begin at 9 AM in the morning and conclude at 6 PM in the evening. On each day, visitors will get to experience jaw-dropping kite-flying demonstrations, handicraft stalls, and food stalls serving delicious local food. The event will also have cultural performances showcasing the rich folk culture of Gujarat.
Note that 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. In 2026, about 135 international kite enthusiasts will participate in this event, representing 50 countries. Alongside them, 65 flyers have been selected from across India and 871 participants have been selected from Gujarat!
Ahmedabad International Kite Festival Ahmedabad 2026 dates and venue: 12th to 14th January in Ahmedabad, at the Vallabh Sadan, Sabarmati Riverfront.
Also Read: What Are the Dates For The International Kite Festival 2026? Complete Event Schedule & Guide
Summing Up
PM Modi and German Chancellor Merz’s presence at the IKF 2026 in Ahmedabad has got the internet collectively admiring the affectionate exchange of cultures. The duo inaugurated the festival in Ahmedabad and then flew kites, turning an Indo-German cultural exchange into more than just a visit. Hurry up and visit the festival until 14th January, 2026.
