Spring in St Ives is truly magical. Clear blue skies, crisp sea air, and expansive skies. As the clocks spring forward and we leap into a 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 i 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.

“There’s something magical about watching kites dancing in the sky,” says Emma Gibson, Head of Culture and Community. “This year our ‘Dr Kite’ has created a new design working with recycled and eco-friendly materials with a theme of ‘Sea Serpents’. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for perfect flying weather and can’t wait to see how many kites we can get in the air! Whether you’re a maker, a flyer, or a spectator, there’s something for everyone.”

This year’s community making includes working with local schools, the return of family Kite Making Day on 22nd March and after feedback back from several adults keen to have workshop of their own, the new edition of early evening making workshop for Adults 16+ on 20 March all taking place at The Cornerstone, St Ives Library.

For those who prefer to simply enjoy the spectacle, Flight Day will take place on Saturday 29th 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!”

Event Highlights:

2026 dates TBC

Come join us to celebrate spring, creativity, and community at Kite Fest 2026 – we’ll see you in the sky!

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.