Your guide to Portsmouth International Kite Festival

Get ready to see the skies above Southsea Common explode into a riot of colour as the Portsmouth International Kite Festival returns!

The ever-popular day out is back this July with a brand-new theme: 'East meets West'.

If you're planning a family day out for the event, here's all the key information you'll need.

  

When is Portsmouth Kite Festival?

This year's event takes place across the weekend of 29-30 July, between 10am and 5pm both days. There will be much to see across the weekend, including altitude sprints, dancing performances and more, so get down early if you don't want to miss any of the action.

  

What's happening at the Kite Festival?

The first thing to capture your attention on arriving at Southsea Common will be the enormous 3D kites flying in all shapes and sizes. Previous events have seen astronauts, horses and Sonic the Hedgehog take to the skies. There's even been a Peppa Pig kite - so pigs might fly after all!

As well as the big 3D displays, there will be guest appearances from some of the world's best and most renowned flyers, including the European Quad Line Champion, Italy's Guido Maiocchi. He will be joined by, among others: Fenix Pair, The Decorators, Berck Kite Club, The Flying Squad and Carl Robertshaw.

Events and activities running across the weekend include the Altitude Sprint (a race to become the highest kite in the sky), a ballet routine from Flying Fish, an 'East meets West' display of traditional Vietnamese kites, and an ethereal moment of reflection titled 'Spirits, Angels and Doves Fly'.

You can find a full list of what's on via the Timetable published on the official Portsmouth International Kite Festival website.

The action doesn't just take place in the air, though. There will be a host of things to see and do back on terra firma too. Wightlink ferries, for example, isn't just an event sponsor but will also be hosting a Green Workshop alongside Aspex gallery, where children aged between 5 and 12 can make kites out of recycled materials which they can then take home to keep.

There will also be several free sensory sessions for babies and children up to age 7. These sessions, organised by Baby Sensory, will help young people interact with and make sense of the world around them, through touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. Classes will need to be booked on the day and will be on a first come first served basis.

  

How much does it cost?

Portsmouth International Kite Festival is totally free to attend. Both the Wightlink Green Workshop and Baby Sensory sessions are also free. Guests can bring a picnic to keep costs down, or try some fresh food or hot drinks from the many stalls that will be serving throughout the weekend - as well as the myriad offers at nearby Palmerston Road and the surrounds.

There will also be a funfair and amusements to keep all ages happy, plus free live music across the weekend from Live at the Bandstand.

Portsmouth International Kite Festival 2023 is proudly sponsored by Snows MINI and Mazda. The team will be in attendance at the event to answer any queries, and will also have a selection of cars on display too.