Our Favorite European
Kite Festivals
With apologies to the dozens of fantastic events we've left out, here are some highlights about our favorite European festivals. We have attended others, but these are the ones we keep going back to.
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Fano Kite Party: Denmark
  Fano is just amazing! You stand on the beach, and for as far as the eye can see, the sky is filled. It's the biggest, most extraordinary kite gathering you've ever seen. The scope of this thing is enormous! Technically, Fano isn't a festival at all. There is no organization, no schedule, no events, and hardly any spectators. People just drive onto the nine miles of hard sand, park in little groups, and put up incredible kites. Last year, they estimate there were seven thousand kite fliers. Seven thousand! The sky is so totally congested that photos look dirty with "spots". As we walked among the cars, we were offered a "welcome beer" every fifty yards until we just couldn't walk any more. At day's end, the cars drift back to campgrounds and the parties begin. Kites fly over the houses all night. Each morning, the fliers appear later and later on the beach. And because of the far north location, the sun never sets in the summer. An eerie twilight sets in about eleven at night and dawn returns at two. Some buggy riders never leave the beach. The Fano Kite Party is held in June each year. It isn't easy to get to, but it's definitely worth the effort. |
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Bristol: England The Bristol festival is held in a meadow overlooking the city. The venue is spectacular and draws the best of British kiting.  |
Performances often include top-ranked European sport kite teams and pairs, the British Rokkaku Championships, large inflatable kites, and swarms of para-bear aficionados. It draws well over 50,000 spectators and hundreds of kiters. In your off hours, you can visit the pub where Long John Silver planned his trip to Treasure Island, or drop by Martin Lester's kite studio. Between Bristol and London are Stonehendge and Avebury, Arthur's burial site in Glastonbury, Berkeley Castle, and the beautiful historic city of Bath. Bristol is held in September, usually the weekend before Dieppe (in even numbered years). |
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This is the best of European kiting. Dieppe (which is scheduled every two years) is among a handful of world class kite gatherings attracting experts from over 30 nations. It is an exciting opportunity to see kites and kite fliers from around the world in a relaxed, week-long gathering. Of course, the crowds are immense, so getting close isn't always easy. Dieppe is held on the city park adjacent to the beach. The original buildings were destroyed during WWII and the area leveled and seeded with grass. The beach is unsuitable for flying because it has pebbles (golf ball size!) rather than sand. | Dieppe: France
 Each visiting country is given a pavilion to showcase their kite traditions. Over 100 of the best known performers and artists in the world are sponsored to the event (with all expenses paid). And this year, activities include the World Cup competition for the best sport kite teams on the planet Dieppe is held in September of even numbered years. Organizers create their own lists and provide direct invitations. |
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Lunen: Germany Lunen is one of my favorites, not just because of the incredible variety of kites but also because of the warm camaraderie. There may be a five hundred fliers, but it is still just a simple gathering of friends. This is the last big festival of the European season and one of the best in Europe. Huge crowds and lots of special events make it well worth attending.  |
Special events? What special events? Aside from the usual sky full of awe-inspiring kites, Lunen incorporates three activities that set it apart from other similar festivals. First, they organize the finest night-flying competition I have ever seen. Second, they hold one of Europe's largest rokkaku battles with over 70 fighters. And finally, they showcase cloisonn� kite pins with an exhibit and competition that includes over 100,000 pieces. It's all just amazing. Lunen is held in October. We often organize groups when the event doesn't conflict with the AKA convention. |
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Berck is the first major event of the European kite season. And it is one of the largest too. Fliers come from a dozen countries with the creations they worked on all winter to test them out in the fresh breeze that comes in off the English Channel. The beach is huge, but is quickly filled with kites and fliers.
The event lasts ten days, usually concluding with huge crowds on Easter Weekend. Giant inflatables, sport kite demonstrations, innovative design contests, a night fly, rokkaku battles, and exhibitions highlight the schedule. Most of the participants are old friends who return to Berck each year. (We have been seven times.) Each night, small groups filter into the town's wonderful restaurants and bistros. Berck takes place in April. We are privileged to lead the American Team each year. If you are interested in attending, send us some details. |
Berck sur Mer: France
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