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

After "The Race" Forum

After "The Race" Forum

Integrative Approach to Cancer Care

Integrative Approach to Cancer Care

Yom Hashoah Commemoration

Yom Hashoah Commemoration

Kitchen Remodeling Today: Timeless to Eclectic Design

Kitchen Remodeling Today: Timeless to Eclectic Design

Frankly Speaking about Lung Cancer

Frankly Speaking about Lung Cancer

Gilda's Club "NIA" Classes

Gilda's Club "NIA" Classes

AFS Chapter's International Dessert Night

AFS Chapter's International Dessert Night

Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment

Cancer Transitions: Moving Beyond Treatment

Fourth Annual Woman's Day Apart - Color Your World

Fourth Annual Woman's Day Apart - Color Your World

Remodeling Seminar

Remodeling Seminar

Open House at Holy Family Parish School

Open House at Holy Family Parish School

Lydell Preschool 2012 School Year Open House

Lydell Preschool 2012 School Year Open House

Lydell Preschool 2012 School Year Open House

Lydell Preschool 2012 School Year Open House

Gilda's Club presents film "Forks Over Knives"

Gilda's Club presents film "Forks Over Knives"

Gilda's Club presents film "Speed Grieving"

Gilda's Club presents film "Speed Grieving"

Cumberland Winter Festival Concert

Cumberland Winter Festival Concert

WFBHS Annual Variety Show

WFBHS Annual Variety Show

Margin: restoring time reserves to overloaded lives with best-selling author Dr. Richard Swenson

Margin: restoring time reserves to overloaded lives with best-selling author Dr. Richard Swenson

Dominican High School Christmas Concert

Dominican High School Christmas Concert

Gilda's Club Knitting Group

Gilda's Club Knitting Group

Whitefish Bay AFS Chapter Jump-Starts International Week with Returnee Presentation

Whitefish Bay AFS Chapter Jump-Starts International Week with Returnee Presentation

Gilda's Club Survivorship Networking

Gilda's Club Survivorship Networking

Gilda's Club Guided Imagery for Cancer

Gilda's Club Guided Imagery for Cancer

Gilda's Club Tai Chi Workshop

Gilda's Club Tai Chi Workshop

WFB High School Choir Poinsettia Sale

WFB High School Choir Poinsettia Sale

Gilda's Club Relaxation Techniques Workshop

Gilda's Club Relaxation Techniques Workshop

Weird Wisconsin

Weird Wisconsin

Family Drumming Circle with expert Terri Siegel

Family Drumming Circle with expert Terri Siegel

Preview Day at Dominican

Preview Day at Dominican

Gilda's Club "Teal Time" for ovarian cancer survivors

Gilda's Club "Teal Time" for ovarian cancer survivors

The Mimi Bird Historical Collection Goes Digital

The Mimi Bird Historical Collection Goes Digital

Coping With Eating Disorders

Coping With Eating Disorders

Kitchen Remodeling Today

Kitchen Remodeling Today

Metal for Music

Metal for Music

Open House - Dominican High School

Open House - Dominican High School

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month

La Leche League Meeting - Milwaukee East PM (Shorewood)

La Leche League Meeting - Milwaukee East PM (Shorewood)

Gilda's Club Hatha Yoga

Gilda's Club Hatha Yoga

Gilda's Club Tai Chi