Fly High At The Wildwoods International Kite Festival This Weekend

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It’s 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 2023 Wildwoods International Kite Festival in NJ. The four-day festival kicks off on Friday and is the ideal way to welcome in 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 kite-making workshops. Read on for more info on what to do and what to know before you go. (featured photo credit: istock/Aneese)

See amazing kites soar high at the Wildwoods International Kite Festival 2023

Wildwoods International Kite Festival NJ Mom

Watch colorful kites fly against the sky at the Wildwoods International Kite Festival in New Jersey. Photo Credit: istock/Aneese

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 your own 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, be sure to check out the indoor kite flying competition at the Convention Center and pick up tips on flying your own kite from the pros. 

Wildwoods International Kite Festival NJ Mom, kite festivals in NJ

You never know what type of kites you will see at the Wildwoods International Kite Festival in NJ. Photo Credit: istock/Aneese

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 from a soaring kite. 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. And nighttime activities include a Friday Night Welcome Social located at the Starfire Motel, poolside. At 9:00 PM, and a Sunday night dinner at Carini’s Pizzeria, where parents and kids can mingle with other festival-goers. The new “Boardwalk on The Beach” will feature an international food court with treats for everyone from gourmet lovers to picky kids, and there will be local vendors where you can pick up a souvenir. On Sunday, learn kite-flying from the pros during a free “Introduction to Fighter Kites” workshop beginning at 9:00 AM.

Wildwoods International Kite Festival NJ Mom, kite festivals in NJ

This kite festival in NJ marks the official start of summer in Wildwood. Photo Credit: istock/Aneese

Things 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 host hotel is The Tide Winds Motel.

Wildwoods International Kite Festival 
Rio Grande Avenue and the Wildwoods Convention Center
4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, NJ 08260
(609) 729-9000

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