Atlantic Coast Kite Festival

05/26/2026

Hi Kite Flying Friends and Family,

Kitty Hawk Kites invites you to join us on at Jockey's Ridge for the 44th Annual Rogallo Kite Festival. We celebrate Francis Rogallo and his many accomplishments June 12 – 13, 2026 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Francis Rogallo was a NASA scientist and inventor of the flexible wing. His innovations helped launch the sport of hang gliding, and his designs later influenced the development of stunt kites, power kites, and modern hang gliders still flown today.

Please let us know if you plan on attending the festivities and share any requests or accommodations you may need for the event by contacting us at [email protected] or call/text: 252-251-4314

For more information please visit
https://outerbanksthisweek.com/kittyhawkkites/events/rogallo-kite-festival

We look forward to flying with you!

Chris O’Neill
Events & PR Coordinator
[email protected]

Jockey's Ridge State Park is one of the most unique natural landmarks on the U.S. East Coast and is especially famous for its massive living sand dune system.
Here’s what makes it special:
• Largest living sand dune on the East Coast — The dunes constantly shift and change shape with the wind, creating a landscape that looks different every time you visit.
• Birthplace of adventure sports in the Outer Banks — The strong coastal winds and high dunes made the area a natural hub for hang gliding and kite flying. It’s closely connected to the legacy of Francis Rogallo and modern flight recreation.
• Spectacular sunsets — From the top of the dunes you can see both the Atlantic Ocean and Roanoke Sound, making sunset views especially dramatic.
• Hang gliding and kite flying destination — Nearby Kitty Hawk Kites operates lessons and activities there, and the steady winds attract flyers from around the world.
• Unique ecosystem — Even though it appears barren, the area supports specialized plants and wildlife adapted to shifting sands and coastal conditions.
• Great for recreation — Popular activities include:
o Kite flying
o Sandboarding
o Hiking barefoot on the dunes
o Photography
o Stargazing
o Picnics and family outings
• Connection to aviation history — The Outer Banks region, including nearby Wright Brothers National Memorial, is considered one of the birthplaces of modern flight because of its strong winds and open terrain.

05/25/2026

05/05/2026

Good times at the 2026 21st Atlantic Coast Kite Festival! Join us next year, the first weekend in may every year, April 30 - May 2, 2027

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1RZJ8mNkfG/

05/02/2026

For every Kite Festival there's always the one man, the Die Hard that goes out into the rain and flies a kite.

05/02/2026

Today is Saturday and we've had a little bit of rain so we had an impromptu mini kite making class. What fun for the crowd after a fabulous breakfast with coffee orange juice and specialty sandwiches. What an awesome day

04/14/2026

Your Host
John Harris Kitty Hawk Kites
The Stankus Family and Jackite
Mike Hilton IMG/City of Virginia Beach
Bravo! Italian Kitchen
and The Oceanfront Inn

WELCOMES YOU TO THE
21st ANNUAL ATLANTIC COAST KITE FESTIVAL

Below you will find all the dates and times with links to locations using google maps.
17th Street & Atlantic Ave. at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
📍 Click here to find the link to Va Beach Kite Festival Location 📍

🎉 Open House Kick-off Celebration & Night Kite Fly 🎉
Friday, May 1 from 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Virginia Beach Oceanfront, 17th & Atlantic

🪁 KITE FLYING DAYS IN VIRGINIA BEACH 🪁
Saturday and Sunday, May 2 and 3 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Virginia Beach Oceanfront, 17th & Atlantic

For details

https://www.facebook.com/VBKiteFestival

https://beacheventsvb.com/event/atlantic-coast-kite-festival-2026/

04/06/2026

YOU’RE INVITED TO THE

21st Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival
Celebrating 21 Years — What a Journey!
Join us for one of the most colorful and uplifting events on the East Coast at 17th Street, set against the beautiful skies of Virginia Beach.
________________________________________

Hosted by:
John Harris – Kitty Hawk Kites
The Stankus Family – Jackite, Inc.
Mike Hilton – IMG / City of Virginia Beach
Bravo! Italian Kitchen
Ocean Front Inn
________________________________________

Festival Schedule
Friday Night Kite Fly
📅 Friday, May 2 | ⏰ 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Weekend Kite Festival
📅 Saturday, May 3 | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📅 Sunday, May 4 | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
________________________________________
You’re Invited
Dear Friends and family,
Thank you for being part of this incredible tradition. We’re excited to welcome you back to the beach for a full weekend of fun in the sun—and a magical night flight to kick things off.
Enjoy breathtaking kite displays of all shapes and sizes, connect with fellow enthusiasts from near and far, and experience the joy that fills the sky each year.
Alexander and Emily will be teaching a children’s kite building class on Saturday and Sunday!
Bring your coolers, kites, and gear, and join us at 17th Street in Virginia Beach for a celebration you won’t want to miss.
________________________________________
Learn More
Event Details: https://beacheventsvb.com/event/atlantic-coast-kite-festival-2026/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VBKiteFestival
Jackite: www.jackite.com
________________________________________
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
IMG (Mike Hilton) City of Virginia Beach
Kitty Hawk Kites (John Harris)
Jackite, Inc. (The Stankus Family)
The Ocean Front Inn (Host Hotel)
Bravo! Italian Kitchen

04/06/2026

The crowd that is hosting the 21st Atlantic Coast Kite Festival say a great thank you to all that are attending. What a great crowd this year. We truly look forward to see you and getting to know each other.

If you are thinking about attending and want more information please contact me at [email protected]. We would love to have you join and fly.

Here is another video for your enjoyment!

03/05/2026

The 21st Annual Atlantic Coast Kite Festival is Inviting You!

For a Friday night kite fly and 2 days of Kite Flying Fun in the sand and sun, Saturday and Sunday, at 17th Street, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Our schedule consists of:
The Friday Night Kite Fly, May 1st (6 – 9 pm)

Two Days of Kite Flying:
Saturday, May 2nd (9 am – 4 pm) and Sunday May 3rd (9 am – 4 pm)

Saturday and Sunday are fun packed kite flying days, open to the public. Three fields are available for big kites, stunt kite flying and fun flying. We are looking for demonstration kite flyers to fill the sky with kites. Will Smoot with Kite Bus provides the music and announcements. Free children’s kite classes will be offered all day. Kite contest of different categories each day.

We have kite flying of all kinds with wonderful people from here there and everywhere, flying on the demonstration fields and we hope you will come and join us!

For kite flyers, we provide good food and drinks every day and the usual party on Saturday night.

Hotel rooms are limited. We offer gas assistance money to attendees coming from far away. Please contact us for more details. So, pack your bags, kites, and gear for the festival of kites in Virginia Beach.

If you need any additional information, please feel free to contact email or call.

A thank you to all the kite fliers and clubs for years of attendance. We appreciate your support!

An extra thank you to our sponsors:
IMG / Beach Events (Mike Hilton),
Kitty Hawk Kites (John Harris),
Jackite Inc. (Marguerite Stankus) and
The Ocean Front Inn (our host hotel)

Thank you,

Christopher Stankus
Jackite Inc.
757-647-5970
[email protected]