A popular kite festival is to be extended to a third evening for the first time to give more visitors the opportunity to enjoy colourful displays, family activities and high-flying entertainment on the Yorkshire coast.

The popular Filey Kite Festival is set to return later this month (September) for its sixth year and will take place for the first time on a Friday.

The free event, which is organised by North Yorkshire Council and the Northern Kite Group, will run from Friday, September 18, to Sunday, September 20, at Filey Brigg Country Park and is expected to attract huge crowds.

New for this year, the festival will launch with a spectacular Friday Night Flight on September 18, where illuminated kites will take to the skies at dusk, creating a striking display against the evening skyline.

Since it was first held in 2020, the Filey Kite Festival has welcomed between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors each year with hundreds of kites filling the skies.

This year’s festival promises even more spectacular displays, including giant inflatable kites, precision stunt kites, artistic creations, competition kites and family favourites such as the much-loved flying cows.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for culture, arts and housing, Cllr Simon Myers, said: “This promises to be a fantastic event with the skies above Filey Brigg filled with amazing kites.

“Families will have plenty of opportunities to get involved and children can take part in kite-making workshops, where they can create and decorate their own kites before taking them outside to see them fly.

“Filey Brigg Country Park is a fantastic venue for a kite festival. Its wide-open spaces and coastal breeze create perfect flying conditions, allowing us to showcase an incredible variety of kites.”

Visitors can look forward to a packed programme of activities throughout the weekend, with professional kite flyers showcasing giant inflatable and display kites alongside breathtaking aerial demonstrations.

The event will also feature a dedicated “learn to fly arena” offering visitors of all ages the chance to experience kite flying for themselves. Kites will be available to borrow, and experienced flyers will be on hand to provide guidance and tips.

Cllr Myers added: “The festival offers a fun day out for residents and visitors alike, combining spectacular entertainment with hands-on activities suitable for all ages.”

The event and programme timetable are subject to change depending on wind and general weather conditions.

EVENT PROGRAMME

Friday evening:

• Illuminated kites will light up the sky creating a striking display against the evening skyline.

Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 4pm:

• 10am and 2.30pm: Pallas family flyers will perform with a two-line display of kites to music.
• 10.30am, 1pm and 3pm: Graham Lockwood will conduct a display with multiple kites.
• 11am and 1.30pm: Team Orion will perform with a four-line display of kites to music.
• 11.30am and 2pm: Skytracks will showcase kite ballet to music.
• Noon and 2pm: Teddy bear drop, where teddies will be flown down on a parachute for children to catch.
• Noon: Chinese Dragon display.
• 4pm: The event will come to a close.