Imagine hundreds of kites in every color, shape and size soaring skyward around the Washington Monument and you will begin to appreciate the Blossom Kite Festival. Kite fliers of all ages from across the United States and the world gather to fly handmade kites and compete for prizes during this colorful event.
The Kite Festival features a handmade kite competition for children and adults, with awards given in categories such as most artistic, most humorous and most patriotic. Other highlights include a Hot Tricks kite flying competition and the popular Rokkaku Kite battle, in which Japanese-style kites battle each other for sole command of the sky.
The original Smithsonian Kite Festival was sponsored by the Smithsonian Associates and the National Air and Space Museum. It was founded in 1967 by aviation pioneer Paul E. Garber (1899-1992).
Travel Tips
The 2023 Blossom Kite Festival is now scheduled for Sunday March 26, 2023. For more information on this year’s Kite Festival, click here.
Travel InformationBlossom Kite Festival Hours: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm. Admission: Free Parking: Street parking near the Washington Monument is very limited. General visitor parking is available along Ohio Drive, SW between the Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson Memorials. Metrorail: Smithsonian or Federal Triangle on the Orange and Blue lines. |
Nearby Attractions
Washington Monument
Smithsonian Museums
National Mall
Suggested Tours
Old Town Trolley Tour
How will the turf renovation on the mall impact the Kite Festival?
Please dont get arrested doing something illegal and stupid
I am wondering are people allow to fly drones instead of kites during this event. It would be a total mess if these things get tangle into kites that are home made by little kids for these events.
They would need to get permission from FAA and Secret Service first before they can shoot off a drone in DC’s airspace. http://www.washingtonian.com/blogs/capitalcomment/local-news/faa-grounds-drones-inside-washington-dc.php
Drones are prohibited at this event.