Up, Up, and Away: Pattaya’s International Kite Festival Welcomes the Summer Skies
From soaring dragons to glowing night skies, Pattaya’s annual kite festival is pure joy.
While Pattaya, Thailand, is known for its sun-drenched beaches and year-round tropical warmth, there's something unmistakably magical that signals the official arrival of summer: look up. That’s right — when the skies above Pattaya Beach begin to fill with giant squid, dancing dragons, and even Charlie Brown and Snoopy drifting peacefully overhead, it can only mean one thing. The International Kite Festival has returned.
Held annually at the tail end of February, the Pattaya International Kite Festival transforms the beach into a kaleidoscope of color and creativity. It’s a high-flying spectacle that draws kite enthusiasts and curious onlookers from around the globe. Countries like Australia, China, Germany, Switzerland, and Taiwan—alongside a strong contingent from Thailand—come together for several days of airborne artistry, cultural exchange, and beachside fun.
As someone who’s now a three-year veteran of this joyful event, I can confidently say: it never gets old.
A Sea of Kites and a Sky Full of Wonder
In Thai, the word for kite is “wow”, and it’s fitting. You’ll hear plenty of local children pointing skyward and shouting that very word, not just in language, but in genuine awe. Towering inflatable kites stretch as long as 12 meters. This year, cartoon icons like Charlie Brown and Snoopy floated alongside more traditional kite shapes, such as koi fish, phoenixes, and intricate geometric designs.
The most mesmerizing part? The LED Night Kite Show. As the sun dips into the Gulf of Thailand, the skies remain vibrant, lit up by glowing kites that seem to dance among the stars. With music playing and cool sea breezes replacing the afternoon heat, it’s a sensory experience that blends spectacle with serenity.
A Cultural and Culinary Carnival
The kite displays are just the beginning. This event is as much about community and culture as it is about flight. Visitors can explore over 50 vendor stalls offering a wide range of items, from handmade kites and accessories to souvenirs, snacks, and street food. Cultural performances from various regions in Thailand add depth and vibrancy, showcasing traditional dance, music, and local crafts.
Workshops let kids—and the young at heart—try their hand at building and flying their own kites. If you've never tried to tame the wind with your own creation, Pattaya is the place to start.
Food lovers will also find themselves spoiled for choice. Besides the ever-popular food-on-a-stick beach vendors, the nearby Central Festival Mall, a sprawling seven-story shopping complex just across Beach Road, joins the celebration with special promotions and family-friendly activities. Whether you’re after gourmet Thai cuisine, street food bites, or a shady break from the sun, there’s something for every appetite.
More Than a Party Town
When most people hear “Pattaya,” their minds often wander to its infamous nightlife—a legacy the city has worked hard to evolve. Events like the International Kite Festival are part of a broader effort by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the City of Pattaya to shift perceptions and highlight the destination’s diversity.
It’s working.
The beach was packed this year with families, local students, tourists, and Instagrammers alike, all captivated by the sight of soaring fabric giants catching the sea breeze. Teenagers huddled excitedly around the sport kite arena, where competitive “kite fighting” teams—particularly the skilled flyers from Taiwan—put on electrifying displays of aerial maneuvering.
Before attending my first Pattaya Kite Festival, I had no idea kite flying could be so thrilling—or so deeply embedded in local tradition. Now, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
A Celebration That’s Here to Stay
The Pattaya International Kite Festival has become one of the most heartwarming ways to ring in the Thai summer. It’s colorful, inclusive, creative, and, above all, joyful. It brings people together in the most literal sense—gathering on the sand, faces turned toward the sky, smiles wide, and eyes filled with wonder.
For travelers seeking a more authentic experience of Pattaya, this festival is a breath of fresh air—both figuratively and literally. It’s a reminder that in a place often associated with nightlife and neon lights, daylight holds its own kind of magic.
Mark your calendars: the next International Kite Festival in Pattaya is scheduled for February 26 to March 2, 2026. Whether you're a seasoned kite flyer, a curious traveler, or simply someone looking for a reason to smile, I promise—it’ll lift your spirits as surely as it lifts those kites into the sky.
—Bart Walters, IL Thailand Correspondent
Editor’s Note: Want to learn more about what makes Pattaya such a great place to live? Longtime expat Bart Walters shares his five favorite reasons for calling this lively seaside city home. Read his story here.