Mark your calendars, LBI! October 9-10, 2026 is when our skies become a masterpiece. The 12th Annual LBI FLY Invitational Kite Festival touches down for a weekend of color, wind, and wonder above Long Beach Island’s shores.
Wander the sand and watch kite artists from around the world turn wind into art, right over Long Beach Island, New Jersey. New attractions. Hands-on fun for the kids. A global lineup of fliers pushing what a kite can even be. This is the festival’s biggest, most family-friendly year yet — so grab the crew and claim your spot on the sand.
✨ Festival Dates & Locations
Friday, October 9
📍 Ship Bottom Beaches (18th–27th St)
🕛 12–5 PM
Saturday, October 10
📍 Ship Bottom Beaches (18th–27th St)
🕙 10 AM–4 PM
Saturday, October 10 – Night Fly
📍 Ship Bottom Beaches (23rd-25th St)
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
(Watch the kites light up the night sky!)
🌍 Who’s Flying This Year?
Our kite fliers are coming in from across the US and beyond — including Utah, Wisconsin, California, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Indiana, New York, New Jersey, and even Germany!
We’re thrilled to welcome FIVE special guest fliers for 2026:
- Rolf Zimmermann (Germany)
- Ron Gibian (California)
- Scott Hampton (Utah)
- Tim Sorenson (Alaska)
- Doug Hardy (Texas)
These talented artists and performers will wow you with intricate kite designs and interactive kite displays.
👨👩👧👦 Family-Friendly Activities
We’re proud to make this year’s festival the most engaging experience yet for families and kids:
- Kids Kitemaking (create your own kite and take it home!)
- Interactive Kids Kite Field
- Bubble Blasts on the beach
- Hands-on Kite Flying with handmade kites
- Night Fly: On the beach (night fly merchandize available for purchase)
✨ Why You Shouldn’t Miss It
The LBI FLY Kite Festival is more than just a show in the sky — it’s a weekend full of community, art, and family fun. Whether you’re a lifelong LBI visitor or discovering the island for the first time, this is a unique experience you’ll never forget.
Mark your calendar, grab your family and friends, and get ready for an unforgettable weekend on the beach. We’ll see you October 9-10th, 2026!
Make sure you follow along to stay in-the-know with any updates or event details:
- Follow our official LBI FLY social media on Instagram or Facebook
- Bookmark the official LBI FLY website: www.lbifly.com
- RSVP to our Facebook Event: Click Here
Want to feature your business with this unique opportunity? Become a SPONSOR for this year’s Kite Festival! We have curated sponsorship tiers so that businesses of all sizes can be a part of this wonderful event. Simply email us at: info@welcometolbi.com
Interested in volunteering or want to inquire about flying a kite? Email our Kite Fest Coordinator: djbowlby@me.com
