Skies over Pleasure Island to fill with color at the 19th annual Cape Fear Kite Festival
CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — The Cape Fear Kite Festival returns to Fort Fisher State Recreation Area for its 19th year, bringing sky art of all shapes and sizes to the Carolina coast in November.
Organizers say the beachfront event, which began as a grassroots gathering of kite enthusiasts, will feature creations ranging from school-bus-size inflatables to small, nimble kites trailing colorful tails.
Admission and parking are free. Shuttle service will run from Blakeslee Air Force Base Recreation Area on November 8 and 9, and the site is handicap accessible with support from Ocean Cure.
Weekend festivities begin Friday, November 7 with a sneak-peek flight at the Kure Beach Pier. After sunset, “CB Aglow” lights up the Carolina Beach oceanfront with ground displays, flutter flags, bubbles, a neon dance party and, new for 2025, a drone show in front of Hurricane Alleys.
On Saturday and Sunday, more than 80 professional kite flyers from across the country are expected to fill the skies over the historic dunes at Fort Fisher. Spectators can expect classic diamonds, large-scale 3D pieces, intricate designs and whimsical sea creatures that appear to swim above the surf.
Beyond the flying, the festival offers live music, local food trucks and tastings from regional wineries, breweries and distilleries. Families will find kid-friendly activities and a kite-decorating workshop.
Festival leaders say off-season events help support year-round businesses and economic stability for the beach community.
