The skies over Milwaukee’s lakefront will once again come alive with color and excitement as Gift of Wings hosts the IKEA Frank Mots International Kite Festival on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrNgcpp5Mn8
The event will run from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday (until 5:00 PM on Sunday) at Veterans Park, a beautiful Milwaukee County park on the lakefront. The highlight of each day is the spectacular Grand Launch at Noon, when more than 600 kites will fill the sky at once.
Watch the excitement of past Grand Launches here
Featured Performers Include:
- Too Much Fun – The world-renowned precision kite flying team from California returns, performing four times daily.
- Chicago Fire Kite Team – Celebrating their 38th consecutive year at the festival. Watch them fly →http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5J5X2dKmr0
- Kurtis Jones & the Wind Wolves Kite Team (with Dan Jones) – Making their 4th appearance with their massive Super Giant Whale kites, the brand-new 120-foot Trilobite kite, and the all-new IKEA Giant Kites — a Mots Kite Festival exclusive! See the giants in action →http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIQHOrtUCrk
- Connor Doran – America’s Got Talent star, returning once again
James Almas from Vancouver will attempt to fly 4 kites all at the same time while doing tricks.
- Free kite-flying lessons with Jim Cosca
- The high-energy Flaming Emus will be performing with their 4 line kites.
Special Kids Activity
The first 100 kids to participate in the Window Nation “Kids Mad Dash” will receive a free kite courtesy of Gift of Wings and Window Nation! Watch as 100 colorful kites launch into the sky at the same time — it’s a sight you won’t want to miss. We will need a volunteer to untangle lines. Can I count on you 😊
Gift of Wings will also have a full selection of kites and delicious food available for purchase throughout the weekend.
The IKEA Frank Mots International Kite Festival is FREE to attend and offers plenty of FREE parking.
We’d love for you to help share this beloved Milwaukee tradition! Please consider listing the event in your community calendar or featuring it in a story. We are open for interviews.