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 2019 Blossom Kite Festival is scheduled for Saturday March 30th, 2019 from 10:00 am – 4:30 pm. 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
Char says
March 23, 2016 at 10:21 amHow will the turf renovation on the mall impact the Kite Festival?
Mo says
March 16, 2015 at 4:28 pmPlease dont get arrested doing something illegal and stupid
Rong_Con says
March 12, 2015 at 9:41 amI 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.
deaf258 says
March 15, 2015 at 5:28 pmThey 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
The District says
March 5, 2016 at 9:26 pmDrones are prohibited at this event.