Cape Fear Kite Festival Blows into Kure Beach Every November

Kites take off from Kure Beach every first full weekend in November for the annual Cape Fear Kite Festival. Hundreds of colorful kites decorate the skies above the North Carolina coast to showcase creative kite designs, skillful stunt kite tricks, and a family-friendly atmosphere right on the beach.

If you’re planning a stay in Kure Beach for this festival, here’s everything you know to soar into a good time!

What to Expect at the Cape Fear Kite Festival?

Marvel at the Giant Kites

Look up! You’ll spot kites suspended in the air along the coast in the distance while approaching the Fort Fisher Recreation Area for the festival. But these aren’t your typical kiddie playground kites. Get close enough, and you’ll realize the massive scale of these kites.

The Cape Fear Kite Festival attracts professional kite flyers and hobbyists from around the country for one of the last major events of the kite-flying season. Giant Kite Flyers stake their creations into the beach to fill the sky. A few popular kites featured every year are a whale, octopus, fish, scuba divers, and more. Some unique creations include an alien riding a UFO and famous cartoon characters like Mickey Mouse and Snoopy. New ideas for giant kites get even more creative every year!

Watch the high-flying skills of sport kiters

Sport kiting, or stunt kiting, attracts both young and old flyers. You’ve never seen kite flying like these experts showcase right on Kure Beach. These special stunt kites are attached to dog stakes to give the flyer more control of its motions in the sky. Crowds are always amazed by the spins, twists, low-swooping action, and other unique tricks. It’s a showcase of true air-bending!

Night of Kites

Get ready for a night of fun at the ‘Night of Kites’ event, the exciting opening of the Cape Fear Kite Festival. Join the crowds at the Carolina Beach Boardwalk as the sky comes alive with a coastal light show!

Massive glow-in-the-dark kites light up the sky when the sun goes down. Beachgoers arrive festive with light-up masks, neon glow accessories, and light-up toys for the kids. Even the iconic boardwalk Ferris Wheel will be illuminated.

Make-your-own kite

Let the creative kites inspire your own kite masterpiece. Stop by the kite-making workshop tent to learn how to bring your ideas to reality—and soon flying high above Kure Beach.

Kids and adults are invited to learn the secrets of what makes a good kite soar. Combine aeronautics with your imagination, and you’ll craft a kite that will get all the attention once it’s in the sky. The workshop also includes a practice area for learning the best kite-flying techniques.

Take your kite home as a souvenir from the festival.

Shop local vendors

With tons of vendors and food truck options, you won’t have to leave Kure Beach all weekend! There are plenty of opportunities to shop between checking out the latest kites to grace the sky.

Check out the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce booth for your official Cape Fear Kite Festival merchandise. Pick up t-shirts, hats, pins, and other collectibles for every year you attend the festival. Other vendors feature local businesses selling kites, gifts for kite hobbyists, and more.

Food trucks from around New Hanover County park alongside Kure Beach for the weekend to serve up their local specialties. Expect lots of seafood and local craft beer!

Live music and entertainment

Kites flapping in the air and waves rolling onto shore aren’t the only sounds you’ll hear at Kure Beach. The festival features a lineup of live performances by local musicians. Listen to bluegrass songs and singers performing all weekend. Let the music be the background music while exploring the kites or pick a spot in the sand to dance to the tunes.

The Cape Fear Kite Festival keeps kids entertained with bubble-blowing displays and watching stunt kite performers—you may even catch a special duet.

Don’t forget you’re at the beach! It will still be warm and sunny this time of year to relax on the beach or play in the water.

Insider tips for the Cape Fear Kite Festival

Founded in 2001, the Cape Fear Kite Festival has elevated to one of the top annual events in Kure Beach. It draws more than 20,000 people over the weekend to see hundreds of kites flying on the North Carolina coast. Here are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of this kite-flying weekend:

• It’s free: All spectators can attend the festival for free. Purchase is required at vendor booths, food, merchandise, etc.

• It gets windy: The windy Kure Beach is the perfect setting for flying kites. The windier, the better. But remember that it may be chilly with the ocean breeze, so keep your items secure.

• Arrive early for parking: Parking is available at Fort Fisher Recreation Area near Kure Beach. The parking lots fill up quickly, so arrive early to get a good spot.

• It’s handicap accessible: the festival is designed for everyone to enjoy. There are handicap-accessible areas at Kure Beach and Carolina Beach. The festival also partners with Ocean Cure (https://ocean-cure.org) to provide beach-accessible mobility equipment.

Where to Stay for the Cape Fear Kite Festival

Stay within minutes of the Cape Fear Kite Festival at our Kure Beach vacation rental, The Perfect Kure. This family-friendly rental property is a short walk from Kure Beach, so you don’t even have to worry about parking. It also features a rooftop deck with panoramic views of the shoreline to see the kite-flying action right from your accommodation!

Don’t miss out on the next Cape Fear Kite Festival. Reserve your dates at our Kure Beach vacation rental, The Perfect Kure, and get ready for a weekend of high-flying fun! We look forward to seeing you at the festival.