40th Anniversary Santa Barbara Kite Festival

The 2026 Santa Barbara Kite Festival has announced the theme for this year’s event – “You And Me”. Festival Kite Master Rakesh Bahadur and Co Director David Hefferman selected the theme “You and Me” to celebrate the cooperation and fun that comes with flying a kite together! The festival is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The Santa Barbara Kite Festival returns 11am-4pm Sunday April 12th 2026 to the Great Meadow on the West Campus lawn at Santa Barbara City College.

Always a crowd pleaser, the “Childrens’ Tail Chase” is guaranteed to generate fun and excitement again this year. The tail chase invites groups of children (divided into similar age groups), to chase and capture the tail of a kite expertly flown by Mr. Bahadur. The festival’s schedule is filled with family-friendly kite contests including “Most Beautiful” (handmade & commercial), “Highest Flying”, “Largest & Smallest Kites”, ”Youngest & Oldest Kite Flyers”, “Most Unique Or Unusual Kite”, “Funniest Kite”, “Most Unflyable Kite”, and “Best of Fest” -recognizing the best overall kite entry and participation of the day. Festival organizers will also select the winner of the annual “Lion Award”- in memory of local legend Chad Dreier, and festival supporters the Dreier family. The Great Meadow is located on the west campus of Santa Barbara City College, 973 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara, Ca 93109. Admission to the festival is free. Parking is available on both west campus and the main campus. Kites, food, and beverages can be purchased at the event.