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Antigua and Barbuda365
culturalEvent

Antigua and Barbuda Kite Festival

An Easter Monday sky full of handmade kites

WhenEaster Monday each year (late March or April; date moves with Easter)
WhereWillikies, East Coast
CostA modest admission is typically charged at the gate; children often enter free or at reduced rates. Bring cash for food vendors.
FrequencyAnnual
Type
Cultural
When
March to April
Duration
1 day
Location
Willikies
Cost
A modest admission is typically charged at the gate; children often enter free or at reduced rates. Bring cash for food vendors.
Frequency
Annual
Attendance
Hundreds of families and kite enthusiasts
Family friendly
Yes
First held
Modern festival in the early 2000s; the kite-flying tradition is far older
Local name
Easter kite flying
Best arrival
Arrive mid-morning, when the trade winds are up and the first kites take to the sky.
What to wear
Light clothing, a secure sun hat, and sturdy shoes for the exposed, breezy headland.
Food highlights
Local snacks and pastries from vendorsFresh coconut waterSaltfish and bakesWadadli beer
Warnings
Strong winds and exposed cliffs at Devil's Bridge; mind children near the edgeLittle natural shade, so bring sun protectionRocky, uneven footing near the arch
What to bring
A kite (optional)SunscreenSun hatWaterCash (EC$) for entry and vendors
The overview

Antigua and Barbuda Kite Festival

Flying a kite at Easter is one of Antigua and Barbuda's most cherished folk traditions, and the Antigua and Barbuda International Kite Festival is its modern showcase. Held each Easter Monday, the festival gathers families, schoolchildren, and serious kite-makers at the dramatic Atlantic headland of Devil's Bridge in the island's east.

The timing is no accident. Easter falls during the breeziest stretch of the dry season, when reliable trade winds sweep in off the Atlantic and lift hundreds of kites at once. The result is a sky filled with colour: handmade tissue-and-frame kites alongside elaborate competition designs, with prizes for craftsmanship and flying skill.

The event is run by a local non-profit dedicated to keeping the kite-flying tradition alive, and it has grown into a day-long, family-friendly gathering with music, food vendors, and a relaxed, communal feel. Gates typically open in the morning and the flying continues into the late afternoon as the wind holds.

Because Easter Monday is a public holiday, the festival pairs naturally with a wider day out on the east coast. Many visitors combine it with a walk along the rugged limestone arch of Devil's Bridge and a stop at nearby Atlantic beaches such as Long Bay Beach.

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

When is the Antigua and Barbuda Kite Festival?

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The festival is held on Easter Monday each year, so the exact date moves with Easter (late March or April). Kite flying at Easter is a long-standing local tradition, and Easter Monday is a public holiday, making it a natural family day out.

Where is the Kite Festival held?

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It takes place at Devil's Bridge, the dramatic natural limestone arch on Antigua's Atlantic east coast, within Devil's Bridge National Park. The open headland and steady Atlantic trade winds make it an ideal spot to launch hundreds of kites at once.

Is the Kite Festival family-friendly?

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Very much so. It is a relaxed, day-long community gathering built around families, schoolchildren, and kite-makers of all ages, with music, food vendors, and prizes for the best handmade and competition kites. It is one of the most child-friendly events on the calendar.

Do I need to bring my own kite?

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You can, but you do not have to. Many people come simply to watch the spectacle of hundreds of kites in the sky. If you want to fly your own, bring a kite suited to strong, steady wind, and expect a lively, breezy day on the exposed headland.
Plan your visit

Antigua and Barbuda Kite Festival

When
Easter Monday each year (late March or April; date moves with Easter)
Duration: 1 day
Location
Devil's Bridge National Park, Willikies
East Coast
Cost
A modest admission is typically charged at the gate; children often enter free or at reduced rates. Bring cash for food vendors.
Get directions →
This event is in Long Bay & the East →