Wildwood, NJ · Every Memorial Day Weekend
Wildwoods International Kite Festival
Every Memorial Day weekend, the skies above Wildwood’s expansive beach transform into a canvas of color at the Wildwoods International Kite Festival, billed by the Wildwoods tourism authority as North America’s largest kite festival. It celebrated 40 years in 2026 (May 22-25); 2027 dates have not been announced yet. From show kites to giant inflatables, this free four-day festival brings kite flyers to New Jersey’s coast.
What Makes This Festival Special
The Wildwoods International Kite Festival is produced by Sky Festival Productions, which has staged kite festivals since 1987. It’s a four-day festival for kite flyers, families and spectators, with everything from single-line kites to team flying and large inflatables.
Flying takes place on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue, with indoor events inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. The festival opens Friday at noon outside the Convention Center (past listings call the opening the Unlocking of the Ocean) and runs through Memorial Day Monday.
Friday also brings the opening of the Kite Sales Tent, a Friday Night Social hosted by the local kite club and a 9 p.m. Illuminated Night Kite Fly. Saturday has silent and loud auctions open to everyone; Saturday and Sunday feature large inflatable kites, team flying and family games; and Monday is the World Indoor Kite Exhibition inside the Convention Center.
Book early for Memorial Day weekend — it’s one of the first big weekends of the season, and rooms near the beach go early.
What to Expect at the Festival
The festival runs Friday through Monday of Memorial Day weekend (May 22-25 in 2026). Memorial Day 2027 is May 31; check SkyFestivals.com or WildwoodsNJ.com for the 2027 schedule.
- Friday: noon opening outside the Wildwoods Convention Center and a 9 p.m. Illuminated Night Kite Fly
- Saturday and Sunday: large inflatable kites, team flying and family games
- Kite Sales Tent and Saturday silent and loud auctions, open to all
- Free to spectators
- Monday: World Indoor Kite Exhibition inside the Convention Center
Pack sunscreen, beach chairs, and layers for changing coastal weather — Memorial Day weekend at the shore can be breezy and cool. If you want a kite of your own, stop by the Kite Sales Tent.
Where to Stay for the Festival
All five Coastal Collection hotels are a few blocks from the beach and the Boardwalk. The kite flying is on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue; ask the front desk for the quickest walk from your hotel.
Unlike chain hotels, our locally-owned properties mean our front desk staff can point you to the festival and good viewing spots along the beach. Wildwood’s beaches are free, and we’re happy to share local restaurant recommendations beyond the boardwalk, and insider tips like the best times to visit the vendor tent before crowds arrive. Ask the front desk about anything from where to park near the Convention Center to which local shops sell backup sunscreen when the beach runs out.
Where to stay in Wildwood
Staying over for Wildwood International Kite Festival? Coastal Collection runs five locally owned hotels a few blocks from the beach and the Boardwalk: Coastal Sands Inn, Beachside Resort, Sunset Beach Hotel, Sunrise Inn and Paradise Inn. Compare them on the hotels in Wildwood page and book directly with the hotel.
