It’s almost Memorial Day weekend, and you know what that means—the excuse to make it a shore weekend while seeing incredible shapes, sizes, and mind-blowing kites at the 2025 Wildwoods International Kite Festival in NJ. The four-day festival kicks off on Friday and is the ideal way to welcome summer (even if it’s too chilly to sit on the beach). Of course, the amazing kites filling the sky will be the main attraction, but kids will have a ball playing family games, eyeing up the competition during the flights, and even participating in team flying. Read on for more info on what to do and what to know before you go and if you are looking for more to do there are plenty of other summer festivals in NJ to enjoy this summer. (featured photo credit: istock/Aneese)
See Amazing Kites Soar High At The Wildwoods International Kite Festival 2025
See kites light up the sky day and night
The event kicks off with a dazzling opening ceremony of kite flying fun outside the Wildwoods Convention Center. And don’t be surprised if you get tempted (or your kids) to purchase a kite at the Festival field tent after the inspiring and colorful views. At around 9 PM, spectators are encouraged to head to the beach at Rio Grande Ave to watch the illuminated night kite fly. Watch in awe as glowing kites, like iridescent jellyfish and manta rays, float through the night sky (make sure to bring your flashlights to get a better view). On Monday, check out the indoor kite flying competition at the Convention Center and pick up tips on flying your kite from the pros.
What to do on the ground level
Ready to do something closer to the land? Check out the weekend of family-friendly activities everyone will love. Littles will want to rush to the candy drop, where candy drops down from soaring kites above. Plan to join in on family games like The Running of The Bols and Rev Games, all happening on Fields 1 and 2 and the Festival Field throughout the day. Nighttime activities include a Friday Night Kite Show at the Festival Field at 9 PM, where kites will glow against the night sky, and a dinner at Carini’s Pizzeria on Sunday evening, where parents and kids can mingle with other festival-goers. There will also be a chance to learn kite-flying from the pros during a free “Introduction to Fighter Kites” workshop on Sunday at 9:00 AM.
What to Know Before You Go
If you’re looking to participate in any kite flying events, be sure to register at the festival field tent on Friday between 4 PM and 6 PM, and if you miss that, you can register on Saturday beginning at 8 AM. Admission prices are free for spectators, but some activities and events require a fee. If you can get in for a last-minute getaway, there are a bunch of lodging options. This year, the host hotel is the Starfire Motel, and the overflow hotel is the Sea Gull Motel.
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Wildwoods International Kite Festival
Rio Grande Avenue and the Wildwoods Convention Center
4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
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