2026 Dates:

• Kite Making Workshops – Saturday 21st March – 14:00-16:30 & 17:00-19:30 – The Island Centre, St Ives – £5 – Book Here
• Flight Day – Saturday 28th March – 13:00-15:00 – The Island, St Ives – FREE

Spring in St Ives is magical. Clear blue skies, crisp sea air, and expansive skies. As the clocks spring forward and we leap into the new season it’s perfect time to embrace the elements and meet up with friends with a fun, free event for everyone – St Ives Kite Fest is ready to lift your spirits and your kites!

Revived by St Ives Town Council in 2022, this annual community event is led by the culture team, who are thrilled to collaborate once again with the brilliant ‘Dr Kite’ Billy Wynter and local art teacher Laura Peach, known for running the weekly St Ives Library Art Club.

This year’s community making includes working with local schools and the return of family Kite Making Day at The Island Centre on 21st March.

For those who prefer to simply enjoy the spectacle, Flight Day will take place on Saturday 28th March, from 1pm to 3pm on St Ives Island. Everyone is welcome – wrap up, bring a kite or simply watch the sky fill with colour and movement.

“The Island has always been a place where the St Ives community comes together,” shares Mayor Councillor Johnnie Wells. “From drying washing in the past to hosting events like plays, and even the Radio 1 Roadshow, the tradition of gathering here continues with Kite Fest. Every year Flight Day draws a great crowd of enthusiastic kite flyers and even if you aren’t flying a kite it is quite a spectacle seeing that many kites all flying at once. Whether you’re flying or watching the display, it’s a wonderful way to celebrate our shared history and community spirit. As they say, the only thing better than flying a kite is flying a kite with others!”

All kites will be welcome at the Island for Flight Day, whether you buy one or build one at our workshops (where all materials will be provided). If you would like to build your own at home, a step-by-step kite making guide is available to download below.