The LBI FLY Kite Festival Returns: Fall Fun Takes Flight at the Jersey Shore

This is exactly why I love living at the Jersey Shore, not just in the summer, but in the fall, too.

Once the crowds thin out and the air turns crisp, the Shore comes alive with some of the best events of the year.

Get our free mobile app

One of the most colorful? The annual LBI FLY Invitational Kite Festival, filling the sky with dazzling shapes and colors over Long Beach Island every Columbus Day Weekend.

When and Where

This year’s festival will take place TODAY, October 10th and 11th, 2025, with the main kite fields set up along Ship Bottom’s beaches between 18th and 27th Streets. You can catch the kites soaring high today, Friday and tomorrow, Saturday. It's happening all day.

Bring Your Own Kite

Yes, you can absolutely join in the fun! A special Open Fly Zone is reserved just for festivalgoers who want to bring and fly their own kites.

Head to the 18th Street beach or south of 27th Street, where you can enjoy the open sky safely away from the pros and their massive inflatables. Not sure where to go? Just stop by the WELCOME TENT between 21st and 22nd Streets, and volunteers will point you in the right direction.

Fun for the Kids

Families are in for a treat and kids can get creative with kite-making workshops between 19th and 20th Streets, held from 1 - 4 PM on Friday and 11 AM - 3 PM on Saturday.

And don’t miss the Bubble Blasts at the Interactive Kite Field between 20th and 21st Streets, running both days. It’s a weekend full of smiles, color, and sky-high fun.

Weather and Wind

A little rain won’t ruin the fun! Unless there’s lightning or heavy downpours, the festival will continue, though some of the bigger kites might stay grounded. Kite flying, of course, depends on the wind, so conditions may shift.

To stay up to date with information, CLICK HERE. Good news LBI Fly Kite Festival is FREE.

Read More: The Most Dangerous Spiders to Watch Out for in New Jersey

Saturday night, it's Night Fly, donations are appreciated to help support the festival for future years. And don’t forget to check out the LED and Night Fly merchandise, available at the Welcome Tent or during the Night Fly event. That's going to be pretty cool.

A Jersey Shore Tradition

Whether you’re a local or just visiting for the weekend, the LBI FLY Kite Festival is a reminder of why fall is such a special time at the Jersey Shore. Bright skies, ocean breezes, and a sea of kites, it’s pure magic.