ALMOST TIME TO FLY AT THE
32ND CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL!
AN UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND FOR A GREAT CAUSE!
Giant international kites, live entertainment, family fun and a powerful cause: Cape Town’s skies are about to burst into colour for mental health awareness!
The countdown has begun! On 24 and 25 October 2026, the 32nd Cape Town International Kite Festival returns to Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery, promising a spectacular weekend of giant international kites, live entertainment, children’s rides, delicious food and fun for the whole family.
But there is something even more meaningful behind all that colour.
Hosted by Cape Mental Health, Africa’s oldest kite festival is about far more than flying kites. It is about raising awareness of mental health, breaking down stigma and reminding people that nobody should face life’s challenges alone. Every year, the festival brings thousands of people together to celebrate hope, connection and community while raising vital funds for Cape Mental Health’s essential services across the Western Cape.
This year, under the theme #ColourTheSky, Cape Town is invited to do more than look up. We are inviting you to stand together for mental health.
So, get your tickets, gather your family and friends, and get ready to fly for a good cause!
INTERNATIONAL KITE FLYERS ARE READY TO COLOUR THE SKY!
Prepare to look up in wonder as international kite flyers travel from across the world to bring their spectacular creations to Cape Town. This year’s international line-up includes:
Karin and Roger Stevens – USA
Phil and Carly Broder – USA
Bernhard Dingwerth – Germany
Dave and Claire Hardwick – United Kingdom
Jean-Louis Castanier – France
Herman and Ina Plattje – Netherlands
Joining our incredible local kite flyers, these international guests will transform the sky into a moving canvas of colour, creativity and imagination.
And while these magnificent kites capture our attention, they also carry a message that matters: mental health deserves to be seen, discussed and supported. Just as every kite adds its own unique colour to the sky, every person has a part to play in creating a community where people feel understood, included and supported.
A FESTIVAL FULL OF FUN – AND FULL OF PURPOSE!
From the moment you arrive, there will be something to enjoy. Children can head to Funland SA for rides and entertainment, while the festival’s entertainment stage will feature performances by Simone, Keeno-Lee, Carletheia and more. A variety of food and market vendors will offer delicious eats, sweet treats and refreshments, making it easy to spend the day soaking up the atmosphere with family and friends. And, of course, visitors can enjoy the incredible kite displays and embrace the spirit of the festival by flying their own kites. It is a chance to make memories, enjoy the outdoors and share a wonderful experience with the people who matter most.
But every moment of fun also supports something bigger. By attending the festival, visitors help Cape Mental Health continue its work to promote mental wellness, challenge stigma and provide essential services to vulnerable communities throughout the Western Cape.
It is a weekend of colour, connection and entertainment – with mental health at its heart.
WE FLY FOR CAPE MENTAL HEALTH!
For more than three decades, the Cape Town International Kite Festival has used the simple joy of kite flying to open the door to an important conversation. Mental health affects individuals, families and communities, yet stigma and barriers to care continue to prevent many people from getting the support they need. Cape Mental Health works to neutralise stigma and remove these barriers which limit access to care. Through its programmes and services, the organisation supports people affected by mental health conditions and intellectual disability, while advocating for inclusion, dignity and access to care. The festival gives people an opportunity to support this work in a joyful, welcoming environment. It reminds us that mental health is part of everyday life, that asking for help is not a weakness, and that small acts of understanding and compassion can make a meaningful difference.
This is the spirit behind #ColourTheSky. Just as kites rise and dance in changing winds, we all need support, connection and understanding to navigate life’s challenges. Every ticket purchased and every donation made helps Cape Mental Health continue providing essential services across the Western Cape. By coming together for this festival, we can help bring mental health into the open, encourage conversations and build communities where people feel seen, heard and supported.
COME FOR THE KITES. STAY FOR THE FUN. FLY FOR A GOOD CAUSE.
Whether you are coming to marvel at the international kite displays, enjoy the live entertainment, treat the children to a day of fun or simply spend time outdoors with family and friends, the 32nd Cape Town International Kite Festival promises an unforgettable spring weekend.
But most importantly, your ticket means more than admission to a festival. It is a way to stand with Cape Mental Health, support mental health awareness and help sustain vital services for people who need them.
CAPE TOWN, IT IS ALMOST TIME TO FLY!
Join us on 24 and 25 October at Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery. Bring your family, invite your friends, fill the sky with colour and help us send a powerful message of hope across our communities.
Because we don’t just fly kites. We fly for mental health. We fly for hope.
We fly for Cape Mental Health.
THE 32ND CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL
Dates: 24–25 October 2026
Venue: Youngsfield Military Base, Ottery, Cape Town
Tickets: Available via Quicket at https://bit.ly/CTKiteFest2026
Theme: #ColourTheSky Official
Radio Partner: Heart FM
The Cape Town International Kite Festival is proudly supported by the City of Cape Town.
For more information, visit https://capementalhealth.co.za/ColourTheSky or follow @CTKiteFest on social media.
