Nomad.
Nomad / experiences / cape-town-kite-festival
🪁 Africa · South Africa

Cape Town International Kite Festival

BUILD in kite-making workshops; fly kites; watch show kites.

Workshop / open buildUse local gear
Oct 2027 (TBC)Next date
None listedNext deadline / key date
OctoberUsual timing
Youngsfield Military Base, Ottery, Cape Town, South AfricaWhere
01 · How to take part

Your way in

Buy a ticket; join kite-making workshop (offered 2025).

Workshop / open build

Join a kite-making workshop

Kite-making workshops were offered in 2025; the 2026 workshop programme is not verified.

Use local gear

Fly kites and watch show kites

Buy a ticket, fly kites and watch the show kites.

You build or use
BUILD in kite-making workshops; fly kites; watch show kites
Participation
Build (workshop) / Use
Entry and deadlines
Ticket
Where
Youngsfield Military Base, Ottery, Cape Town, South Africa
02 · Dates

Dates and deadlines, Jan 2026 to Dec 2027

Usual timing: October. Dates are only shown where a source publishes them; everything else is marked TBC.

  • Oct 2027 · date TBCCape Town International Kite Festival 2027 (usually October)2027 dates not published. · sourceDate TBCWorkshop / open build

Already passed this season: 24–25 Oct 2026: Cape Town International Kite Festival 2026.

See it on the calendar →

03 · Skills you'll need

Skills you'll need

What to learn and practise before you go. Each resource is marked Official or Community-accepted and names its publisher. Difficulty and prep time are our estimate.

Core skill

Making a simple kite in a festival workshop (frame, sail, bridle, tail)

Also useful:

  • Launching and flying a single-line kite on a crowded family field
  • Field safety around show kites
Difficulty our estimateBeginner
Prep time our estimate1 home build and 1 test flight

Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures.

Refresher

  1. A good kite is light but strong: straight, balanced spars, a taut sail and a correctly placed bridle point matter more than decoration.
  2. Tie the bridle so the kite meets the wind at a slight angle; move the tow point up in stronger wind and down in lighter wind, in small steps.
  3. Add a lightweight tail if the kite spins or dives in gusts.
  4. Launch with your back to the wind; let line out and pull in as it climbs. A helper can do a long launch in light wind.
  5. On a busy family field, keep clear of show-kite arenas and other people's lines; wear a hat and sunscreen.
  6. Cape Mental Health's festival includes kite-making workshops; book or join on the day as the programme allows.

Practise before you go

  • Build a sled or diamond kite from a plastic bag and two sticks following AKA's kite-making pointers.
  • Test-fly it at a park and adjust bridle and tail.
  • Bring your own decorated kite to fly if workshop places fill up.

Safety notes

  • Keep clear of show-kite arenas and lines.
  • Sun protection; gloves if your kite pulls hard.

Resources

Officialofficial event page

Cape Town Kite Festival 2026 – #ColourTheSky

Official 2026 dates and venue, with confirmation of kite-making workshops and the Edukite programme.

Publisher: Cape Mental Health (organiser)

Officialofficial guide (national association)

How to Make a Kite

Starter guidance on kite structure, materials and plans.

Publisher: American Kitefliers Association (AKA), US national kite association

Officialofficial guide (national association)

How To Fly A Kite

Launching, bridle and tail corrections.

Publisher: American Kitefliers Association (AKA), US national kite association

Officialofficial safety page (national association)

Kite Safety

Field safety for crowded family events.

Publisher: American Kitefliers Association (AKA), US national kite association

No official resource yet

No official kite-making guide from the organiser yet; the national kite association's guides above cover the basics. The 2026 workshop timetable isn't published.

See also the skills guide: Kite basics → · All skills guides

04 · Check before you go

What we could and couldn't confirm

Before you book

  • 2026 workshop programme not verified.
  • Costs are not listed on Nomad. Check them, and the latest dates, on the official site.
Discuss

Discuss this page

Questions, corrections or your own experience of this event? Comments run on GitHub Discussions, so you need a GitHub account to post.