The IKEA Family Kite Festival Soars Back for Its 39th Year at Veterans Park...May 23 & May 24.

Milwaukee, WI — Gift of Wings is thrilled to announce that the IKEA Family Kite Festival is returning to Milwaukee’s lakefront for the 39th consecutive year. Spring is finally here — it’s time to GO FLY A KITE!

On Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, 2026, join us at beautiful Veterans Park (1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive) for two days of spectacular kite flying, family fun, and breathtaking aerial displays. The festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The highlight of each day is the Grand Launch at noon, when more than 600 kites will fill the sky in a colorful spectacle you won’t want to miss. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrNgcpp5Mn8

World-Class Kite Performances

This year’s event features an impressive lineup of talented flyers:

The Fabulous Windjammers, the world-renowned precision kite-flying team from Detroit, will perform three times daily — marking their 15th appearance in Milwaukee. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29dFQNve7Dw&t=32s
The Chicago Fire Kite Team returns for the 25th straight year, with all six members performing their signature synchronized routines. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5J5X2dKmr0
The Fabulous Wind Wolves will wow the crowd with their two massive Super Giant Whale kites, their brand-new 120-foot Trilobite kite, and the all-new IKEA Shark kite — an exclusive debut for the Family Kite Festival. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XCPTMP30BPM
Local favorites include Milwaukee’s own Mike Delfar, Paul Koepke, and Wow Pro-Style.
Jean Lemire from Montreal will attempt the challenging feat of flying three dual-line stunt kites simultaneously.
James Almas from Vancouver, the only person in the world known to fly four stunt kites at once, will showcase his incredible skill.

Free kite-flying lessons will be available throughout the weekend from the Kite Whisperers, including Jim Cosca.

Fun for the Kids

Kids won’t want to miss the Kids Mad Dash! The first 100 children to sign up and participate will receive a free kite, followed by the exciting sight of 100 kites launching into the sky at once.

Gift of Wings will have a wide selection of kites for sale, along with food and refreshments on site.

Event Details

The IKEA Family Kite Festival — Celebrating America and presented by IKEA — is completely FREE to attend, with plenty of free parking available.

The event is hosted by Gift of Wings in partnership with the Kite Society of Wisconsin and Illinois.

For more information, visit:

www.giftofwings.com
www.facebook.com/GiftofWings

Media inquiries, including interviews and additional details: Scott Fisher Gift of Wings 414-305-3145

IKEA locations serving the area: Oak Creek, WI • Bolingbrook, IL • Schaumburg, IL & coming soon Gurnee, IL

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Raptor Saturday

Raptor Saturday

Hand-in-Hand: Footprints in the Snow

Hand-in-Hand: Footprints in the Snow

OPEN HOUSE on Frederick in Shorewood

OPEN HOUSE on Frederick in Shorewood

Lake Michigan Full Moon Snowshoe

Lake Michigan Full Moon Snowshoe

"Quiet in the Land" by Anne Chislett

"Quiet in the Land" by Anne Chislett

OPEN CONDO on Water in 5th Ward

OPEN CONDO on Water in 5th Ward

OPEN HOUSE on Glenbrook in Bayside

OPEN HOUSE on Glenbrook in Bayside

OPEN HOUSE on Maitland in Bayside

OPEN HOUSE on Maitland in Bayside

Faculty Recital to be held at Cardinal Stritch University

Faculty Recital to be held at Cardinal Stritch University

OPEN HOUSE on Tennyson in Bayside

OPEN HOUSE on Tennyson in Bayside

Nicolet High School presents GREASE!

Nicolet High School presents GREASE!

Nicolet High School presents GREASE!

Nicolet High School presents GREASE!

OPEN HOUSE on Seneca in Bayside

OPEN HOUSE on Seneca in Bayside

MDIH PTO Dine Around Town with Qdoba

MDIH PTO Dine Around Town with Qdoba

OPEN HOUSE on Frederick in Shorewood

OPEN HOUSE on Frederick in Shorewood

OPEN HOUSE on Maitland in Bayside

OPEN HOUSE on Maitland in Bayside

St. John's Lutheran School Open House

St. John's Lutheran School Open House

St. Eugene Parishioners Donate to Locks of Love at Divine Savior Holy Angels

St. Eugene Parishioners Donate to Locks of Love at Divine Savior Holy Angels

Cabin Fever Fun Fair at St. Eugene

Cabin Fever Fun Fair at St. Eugene

OPEN HOUSE in Bayside, Ozaukee Co.

OPEN HOUSE in Bayside, Ozaukee Co.

St. Eugene Spaghetti Dinner

St. Eugene Spaghetti Dinner

OPEN HOUSE in Bayside

OPEN HOUSE in Bayside

Lego Club at the North Shore Library

Lego Club at the North Shore Library

Seniors Trip to Watch "Grease"

Seniors Trip to Watch "Grease"

Seniors Trip to see "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Seniors Trip to see "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Seniors Bay Shore Walk and Breakfast

Seniors Bay Shore Walk and Breakfast

Seniors Winter Potluck Picnic

Seniors Winter Potluck Picnic

Free Showing of "The Help"

Free Showing of "The Help"

Free Showing of "City Island"

Free Showing of "City Island"

Glendale Seniors 39th Anniversary Party

Glendale Seniors 39th Anniversary Party

Nicoelt Girls Face Off Against Whitefish Bay

Nicoelt Girls Face Off Against Whitefish Bay

Jeans & Jewels..A Silpada Event

Jeans & Jewels..A Silpada Event

Camp Manito-wish Information Night

Camp Manito-wish Information Night

Foods for a Healthy Heart

Foods for a Healthy Heart

'Charlotte's Web' at Cardinal Stritch

'Charlotte's Web' at Cardinal Stritch

Mitzvah Corps Purim Event

Mitzvah Corps Purim Event

Mitzvah Corps Reading at Chai Point

Mitzvah Corps Reading at Chai Point

Mitzvah Corps Passover Fundraiser

Mitzvah Corps Passover Fundraiser

Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Grand Opening