Kite festivals are family-friendly events filled with beginners looking to have fun, as well as professionals dazzling the crowd with tricks. We’ve found local kite festivals happening in 2024 for you to check out (they usually start in the spring)!
We’ve also included additional information about how to get started with kite-flying, as well as reader-recommended spots for where to fly a kite near here. After all, kite flying is the perfect pastime for a beautiful spring day.
Running around an open field, working together to get the fly up, and a collective cheering squad when it’s finally there… it all makes for a sweet and simple afternoon with the whole family.
2024 Chicagoland Kite Festivals and Kite Flying Events
Earth Day Kite Fly (Oswego)
April 20, 2024 | 9:00am – 1:00pm
Bring your own, or just watch the professionals at this family-friendly event.
Motion Explosion (Woodridge)
May 3, 2024 | 11:00am – 2:00pm
Woodridge Park District combines a touch-a-truck and kite festival into one family-friendly event.
Kite Fly (Buffalo Grove Park District)
May 3, 2024 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm
Visit Reiner Park for family-friendly fun.
Go Fly a Kite (Wheaton)
May 4, 2024 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
Join in the grand launch, whether you bring your own kite or purchase one at the event.
Kite Festival (Homer Glen)
May 11, 2024 | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Homer Glen’s annual Kite Festival returns with food trucks, face painting, and kites.
Let’s Go Fly A Kite (Crabtree Nature Center, Barrington)
May 18, 2024 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Fly kites in honor of Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.
Flying 4 Kids Statewide Kite Fly (LaGrange)
May 18, 2024 | 11:00am – 12:00pm
Join the Pleasant Dale Park District for their annual kite-flying festival. Registration is required by May 10, 2024.
Frontier Kite Fly Festival (Naperville)
June 2, 2024 | 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Bring your own or purchase one at this annual event.
Statewide Kite Fly and Touch-A-Truck (Bloomingdale)
June 15, 2024 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Visit Springfield Park for this annual two-part event.
Kite Fly (Centennial Park, Lemont)
June 26, 2024 | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Celebrated as part of Freedom Day festivities.
Unplug Illinois – Come Fly A Kite (Memorial Park, La Grange Park)
July 13, 2024 | 8:00am – 5:00pm
Register in advance to receive your kite.
2023 Chicagoland Kite Festivals and Kite Flying Events
These events happened last year, and we hope to see them return in 2024!
- Soaring High in North Aurora – June 3, 2023
- Go Fly a Kite (Bolingbrook) – July 15, 2023
Where to Fly Kites in the Western Suburbs
Find an open space and get those kites in the air! Here are a few favorite spots for kite flying recommended by our readers. We would love to hear your go-to spots, too!
RiverEdge Park
360 N Broadway Street
Aurora, IL 60505
Circle Park
163 Fairfield Way
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Springfield Park
269 Springfield Drive
Bloomingdale, IL 60108
Arie Crown Forest
6600 South La Grange Road
Countryside, IL 60525
Eldridge Park
363 W Commonwealth Lane
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Waiola Park
545 S. Stone Avenue
La Grange, IL 60525
Frontier Park Sports Complex
3380 Cedar Glade Drive
Naperville, IL 60564
Spring Rock Park
4400 Central Avenue
Western Springs, IL 60558
Ty Warner Park
700 Blackhawk Drive
Westmont, IL 60559
Graf Park
1855 Manchester Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Northside Park
1300 N West Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
Walker Park
7425 S Wolf Road
Willow Springs, IL 60480
New to Kite Flying? Tips to Getting Started
PBS Kids has a great set of instructions on how to make your own kite and fly it with your child. All you need is newspaper (or the grocery circular), string or ribbon, glue, two sticks from outside, and and a knife. If you’d prefer to buy a kite, look to a local toy shop to support small businesses.
Already have a kite? This tutorial from a kite shop owner is a helpful demonstration of how to get it aloft. Younger kids might like this Daniel Tiger segment on flying a kite, too.
Even if you’re just running around in the yard or a field trying your best, kite flying is still a lot of fun. Bring snacks and a Frisbee to keep everyone cheery even if you’re having trouble getting it aloft!
Be sure to check out our outdoor places to go page for even more opportunities to soak up the sun with your loved ones!
6 Comments. Leave new
Frontier Kite Fly Festival 2017 will be June 3, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville
So, sorry! Date for Frontier Kite Fly Festival 2017 is Sunday, June 4, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville, http://www.napervilleparks.org
Hi ! Love kidlist my first go to when planning for the fam
Thank you!
Regarding kite fist, will there be any in the Chicago area, close or around downtown?
Thanks!!
There has been a kite festival in the city in past years, but we don’t have any info about that yet. We continually update this as events are announced, so stay tuned!
Was there a Chicago Kite Fest this year at Montrose harbor on Cricket Hill? Usually, it’s the first Saturday in May?
We keep checking on that one, but sadly they haven’t done it in a couple years.