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

Hunter Safety Education Class

Hunter Safety Education Class

Pupil Services Department Meeting

Pupil Services Department Meeting

Cooking with Kids Class

Cooking with Kids Class

Waukesha County Flu Vaccine Clinics

Waukesha County Flu Vaccine Clinics

Community League Meeting

Community League Meeting

Aurora Visiting Nurse Association "Shoo the Flu" Clinic

Aurora Visiting Nurse Association "Shoo the Flu" Clinic

Concert Rehearsal

Concert Rehearsal

Manufacturing at Davians Career Fair

Manufacturing at Davians Career Fair

Wake Up Work Out Class

Wake Up Work Out Class

Senior Center Activities

Senior Center Activities

Hoopster Tots Program

Hoopster Tots Program

Were a Close Knit Group Class

Were a Close Knit Group Class

Book Signing at Purloin Studio

Book Signing at Purloin Studio

Using an E-Reader to Read Books Class

Using an E-Reader to Read Books Class

Riverside Daisy Troop #6001 Meeting

Riverside Daisy Troop #6001 Meeting

Look It Up at the Library for Senior Citizens

Look It Up at the Library for Senior Citizens

Falls Patio Players Show

Falls Patio Players Show

High School Swim Meet

High School Swim Meet

Recreation Department Swim Programs

Recreation Department Swim Programs

Using Microsoft Excel 2007 Class

Using Microsoft Excel 2007 Class

Waukesha County Lunch Site

Waukesha County Lunch Site

Read to Rover

Read to Rover

Questions and Answers About Social Networking Class

Questions and Answers About Social Networking Class

Basic Computing for Senior Citizens Class

Basic Computing for Senior Citizens Class

Auditions for "Christmas Carol"

Auditions for "Christmas Carol"

Center Stage Practice

Center Stage Practice

Varsity Cheer Practice

Varsity Cheer Practice

Weight Watchers Meeting

Weight Watchers Meeting

Read to Rover

Read to Rover

Read to Rover

Read to Rover

Computer Review for Senior Citizens Class

Computer Review for Senior Citizens Class

Medicare and Related Programs – Fitting Them All Together

Medicare and Related Programs – Fitting Them All Together

Read to Rover

Read to Rover

Good News Club

Good News Club

Using MIcrosoft Word 2007 Class

Using MIcrosoft Word 2007 Class

Step Aerobics Class

Step Aerobics Class

Adult Volleyball League

Adult Volleyball League

Read to Rover

Read to Rover

Test Your Chess Mastery Saturday at the Library