Table of Contents for Kite Festival in Washington DC 2025:
- Overview of the Festival
- Dates and Times (+ my Mom Tip!)
- Metro & Parking for the Festival
- Activities and Schedule
- Competition and Demo Field
- Family Field
I am a part of the Amazon Affiliates program which means I may receive a small commission for any purchases through my kite link below at no extra cost to you!
Overview of Blossom Kite Festival in DC
Our family really enjoyed the DC Kite Festival but it can get pretty crowded so want to share some tips! It is an annual event held in Washington, DC that celebrates the joy of kite flying as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
The Festival features hundreds of kites from all over the world from professionals to kids. Every year, kite enthusiasts from all over the country come to fly their creations in the skies above the Nation's Capital.
Dates and Times for the Washington DC Kite Festival
The festival is usually held on the first Saturday of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This year the DC Kite Festival will be on Saturday, March 29 and a rain date of Sunday March 30, 2025.
Festivities will take place from 10 AM to 4 PM mainly on the Washington Monument grounds. All the activities are free to watch and participate in!
The event is free to attend and fly your own kite. Plus you can watch the professionals in their demonstrations and competitions!
My Mom Tip: I highly recommend you bring your own kite as sometimes it's hard to find a kite seller or there can be long lines. Dollar Tree and CVS usually have them in the Spring for very cheap or Wal-Mart and Target will definitely have them! Also our favorite brand Premier Kites ore on Amazon here. Pricy but made out of nylon and have lasted through my kids' very rough treatment of them for 2+ years!
Metro and Parking for the Kite Festival in DC
I read recently that an additional 1.5 million visitors come to Washington, DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Kite Festival definitely attracts many!
Metro for the DC Kite Festival
The best way to get to the Washington Monument grounds is to take the Metro to the Smithsonian Metro Station. You ascend the escalator directly onto the National Mall!
Parking near the Washington Monument DC Kite Festival
- When we went to the Kite Festival, we found close parking at the Ronald Reagan Building using their 14th Street Entrance. I do remember that there was a little wait (maybe 15-20 minutes) as cars needed to be check for weapons which are not allowed. The pro is that the Ronald Reagan Building has clean restrooms and a nice food court too. I wrote a whole blog post with pictures about this parking garage with cost, and entrances!
- Another idea is to park closer to the Tidal Basin at the Portals "SP Parking." Google Maps says it is only 13 minute walk or 0.6 miles. I wrote more about this parking lot in my Cherry Blossoms post here.
Activities at the National Kite Festival in Washington DC
I had younger kids when we visited the DC Kite Festival so they were mostly interested in flying a kite and watching the other amateurs. We had a picnic on the grass in front of the National Museum of African American History and Culture which was a perfect view of the National Mall!
In addition, there are lots of professional kite flying around the Washington Monument that can be fun to watch! A master of traditional Edo-style kites will even be there to show his kites after traveling from Japan. kites for attendees! Below are some of the scheduled programs for the 2025 festival.
Competition & Demonstration Field - DC Kite Festival
Below is for the 2025 festival but up to date info in on the Festival's website here.
- Welcome Remarks: 10:00 AM
- National Anthem & Patriotic Kite Fly: 10:05 to 10:25 AM
- Featured Fliers Demo #1: 10:30 to 11:00 AM
- Hot Tricks Showdown: 11:05 to 11:35 AM
- Mass Professional Ascension: 11:35 to12:25 PM
- Featured Fliers Demo #2: 12:30 to 1:00 PM
- Adult Kite Makers Competition: 1:00 to 2:00 PM
- Master Mikio Toki Kite Fly/Demo: 2:00 to 2:30 PM
- Rokkaku Battle: 2:30 to 3:30 PM
- Featured Fliers Demo #3: 3:30 to 4:00 PM
- Awards and Kite Arch: 4:00 to 4:30 PM
Family Field at the DC Kite Festival
- Welcome Remarks: 10:00 AM
- National Anthem & Patriotic Kite Fly: 10:05 to 10:25 AM
- DJ/Host Wes Felton: 10:30 to 3:45 PM
- Practice Fly for Youth Kite Makers: 10:15 to 10:45 AM
- Iya & The Kuumba Kids: 10:30 to 11:05 AM
- Youth Kite Makers Competition: 11:00 to 12:00 PM
- Pat Smith: 11:10 to 11:20 AM
- The Frizz: 11:35 – 12:00 PM
- Youth Kite Makers Awards: 12:15 – 12:45 PM
- Unknown Artist: 12:45 – 1:05 PM
- Bol Races: 1:00 – 1:45 PM
- Orquestra Manplesa: 1:15 to 2:00 PM
- Bol Races & (Music): 2:00 to 4:30 PM
- Kenny Allen/Wes Felton/Dante Pope: 2:15 to 3:45 PM
Click here to learn more about viewing the Cherry Blossoms all around DC!
Click here to find a kid-friendly restaurant after your fun day!
And if you happen to be a part of a Chinese American family, check out this post on planning a 100 Day Baby Celebration in the DC area, around the Kite Festival would be amazing!
