If you’re heading to Port Aransas and you love kites (or just love a good beach moment), there’s a free event most visitors completely miss: the Port Aransas Kite Festival. Fly It Port A, the local kite shop, hosts it three times a year, and it’s one of those “if you know, you know” events. It’s free, colorful, and surprisingly relaxing: no tickets, no stage, just kites over the Gulf. And after dark, the glowing night kites take it to another level.
Here’s everything you need before you go.
When is the Port Aransas Kite Festival?
Fly It Port A hosts three kite festivals a year, and they land on a predictable weekend each season:
- Winter: typically February (the date is announced closer to the event)
- Spring: the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend in May
- Fall: the Saturday of Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend in October
Saturday is the main day, but kites usually fly all weekend. On a typical festival weekend, you’ll see some kites and night kites on Friday, the full show on Saturday, and more kites during the day on Sunday.
It’s an organic event, so there’s no minute-by-minute schedule. Wind and weather decide how it goes. Check Fly It Port A’s Facebook and Instagram for the exact dates and any schedule updates before you go.
Time: Flyers start setting up around 10 a.m. and fly until the wind dies down, and often into the night.
Note: Kite-flying is always dependent on the wind and weather, so check the weather report and check back on the beach throughout the day as winds vary.
Where is the Kite Festival located?
The festival is spread along the beach between markers 1 and 20, from the Avenue G beach entrance down to Access Road 1-A, with the center of the action around marker 13. There’s no fenced-off area. It’s a come-and-go event, so you can fly anywhere along that stretch.
You don’t need to plan your whole day around it. Just show up and enjoy the kites in the sky.
TIP: If you're planning your beach trip to Port A soon, check current availability on VRBO or Expedia here. Popular dates like Spring Break, Summer weekends, SandFest and holidays book up fast, so don't wait to secure your rental ASAP.
The night kites (the best part)
This is the part people drive in for. After sunset, the LED kites go up: huge glowing octopus, jellyfish, and shark shapes drifting over the surf, plus other lit kites and lighted tails. Night kites are usually expected on Friday evening and again Saturday into the night, weather permitting.
Bring a blanket or low beach chair, a jacket (the beach cools off after dark), and a phone with battery left. It really is something to see.
What makes this event worth it
The variety is amazing: simple kites, giant inflatables, and colorful show kites all in one sky. Compared to bigger Port Aransas events like Texas SandFest, the Kite Festival is:
- Completely free
- Relaxed and easy to drop into
- Easy to pair with a normal beach day
- Very kid-friendly
- Great for photos and video (you’ll take more than you think)
You’ll see everything from simple kites to colorful massive show kites flying over the shoreline — and often, people stick around all weekend flying them. There are even some kites flown in the evening after sunset that are lighted and glow in the night sky.
So bring a beach blanket, and lay back after the sun sets… It’s a cool thing to see. Just know that at sundown, the beach road will become a popular cruising area as spectators catch a glimpse of the glowing kites at night.
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Best Sunset Spots in Port Aransas (Local Favorite Views)
Insider tips (this is what most people don’t know)
1. You don’t need to arrive at 10 a.m.
Kites stay up for hours and change throughout the day. Plan to stay for the evening to see the lighted kites go up after dark.
2. Get your beach parking permit first.
To park on the beach you need a $12 beach parking permit. They’re sold at the Port Aransas Welcome Center, local grocery stores, and most convenience stores, and they stick to the bottom right corner of your windshield. Buy one ahead of time so you’re not caught without it.
→ Port Aransas Beach Parking: Permit Cost & Where to Buy
3. Park on the bollards side, fly on the ocean side.
Park along the bollards between markers 1 and 20, then walk along the sand to see the kites go up. Kites fly on the ocean side of the bollards. The beach speed limit is 15 mph, so take it slow and expect some traffic, especially after dark.
4. Bring your own kite (BYOK).
You can fly along with everyone else, but there are no vendors on the beach, and that includes food. If you don’t have a kite, stop by Fly It Port A at 405 W. Avenue G (and other souvenir shops have small kites too) on the way and pick one up. They’ll help you choose one for the wind that day.
→ Shop for colorful kites online before you go and BYOK
What to bring to the Kite Festival
- Best beginner-friendly kites for the beach (great for kids and first-timers)
- Comfortable and durable beach chairs
- Insulated, rolling cooler with food and drinks (nothing is sold on the beach)
- Top-rated beach shades and tents for Texas wind (I love my Shibumi shade)
- A lightweight jacket for the evening
Which season’s kite festival should you pick?
- Spring is a natural add-on to a Mother’s Day weekend getaway. Pair it with brunch, a dolphin tour, or a sunset cruise.
- Fall has cooler evenings, which is perfect for the night kites.
- Winter is the quiet-season treat, when the beach is peaceful and the kites are the main event.
Kite Festival FAQs
Is the Port Aransas Kite Festival free?
Yes. It’s free and open to all ages. You’ll only pay if you park on the beach ($12 permit) or buy a kite. Here’s what you neeed to know about Port Aransas Beach Parking: Permit Cost & Where to Buy.
How many kite festivals does Port Aransas have?
Three a year, hosted by Fly It Port A: winter (typically February), spring (Mother’s Day weekend), and fall (Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend).
Are there night kites?
Yes. Glowing LED night kites are a highlight, typically flying Friday evening and Saturday into the night, weather permitting.
Do I need to register or bring my own kite?
No registration. You can bring your own kite, buy one locally, or just enjoy watching.
Are there vendors on the beach?
No. Bring your own food, drinks, and sunscreen. Need restaurant recommendations in Port A? Check out my Best Restaurants in Port Aransas (Local Favorites + Dining Guide).
Planning a trip to Port Aransas?
Get my free Port Aransas Beach Packing List + Local Tips Guide!
Keep planning:
- What to bring (and what most people forget) with the The Ultimate Port Aransas Beach Packing List
- Best beach access points in this Best Beaches in Port Aransas: Local Guide to Beach Access, Driving & Family Spots
- Local food spots to eat in my 2026 Port Aransas Restaurant Guide
- Find the Best Things to Do in Port Aransas: Local Favorites for your Beach Trip
- More seasonal events like this one in my Port Aransas Annual Events Calendar