The International Kite Festival Ahmedabad is a free January event on the Sabarmati Riverfront, timed around Uttarayan. Official 2027 dates are unannounced, so we expect 11 to 14 January.
This guide covers dates, venue, entry, the Gujarat schedule, safety and travel tips. Moreover, it separates official 2026 details from figures that sources disagree on, so you can plan carefully.
Key Takeaways
- We expect the 2027 festival on 11 to 14 January. Gujarat Tourism has not announced dates yet.
- The main venue is the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad.
- Entry is free, but visitors cannot enter the kite flying area.
- Uttarayan (Makar Sankranti) falls on January 14.
- Avoid glass-coated string, and keep clear of roads and power lines.
When Is the International Kite Festival Ahmedabad?
The festival usually takes place in the second week of January. It builds up to Makar Sankranti on January 14, when Gujaratis celebrate Uttarayan.
Gujarat Tourism has not published 2027 dates. Our planning dates are 11 to 14 January 2027, and we will update this page once officials confirm them.
Check the official festival site before you book any travel or hotel. Therefore, treat our dates as an expectation, not a promise from the organisers.
2026 Dates: Where Sources Disagree
The 2026 edition shows how dates can vary between sources. Each source below describes the same festival, but each gives a different date range.
| Source | 2026 dates given |
| Official IKF site (Gujarat Tourism) | 10 to 14 January |
| Gujarat Tourism festival page | 10 to 17 January |
| News reports and blogs | Ahmedabad programme on 12 to 14 January |
One possible reason is that the statewide programme covers several cities. In short, the Ahmedabad event is shorter than the full Gujarat schedule.
Where Is the Festival Held?
Ahmedabad’s main venue is the Sabarmati Riverfront. Gujarat Tourism calls the riverfront the centrepiece of the celebrations in the city each year.
MyAhmedabad says the festival area runs from Vallabh Sadan on Ashram Road. However, it gives no exact entry points, so follow signs and police directions on the day.
Holidify also suggests the Ahmedabad Police Stadium as a viewing spot. We could not verify that claim, so check local notices.
How to Reach the Venue
Ahmedabad has an airport, a railway station and a bus network. WanderOn lists Geeta Mandir as the main bus hub.
Distances vary by source. WanderOn puts the airport at about 10 to 11 km from the centre, while Holidify says the station is about 6 km away.
Roads near the riverfront get busy during the festival. Consequently, public transport or a taxi is easier than driving, in our opinion.
International Kite Festival Ahmedabad Entry and Timings
Entry is free. The official site says, “Entry to the International Kite Festival 2026 is free for all visitors,” so no ticket is needed.
Visitors get no access to the kite flying area, according to the same page. Therefore, you watch the flyers and the sky from the open visitor spaces.
| Detail | Official 2026 information |
| Entry | Free for visitors |
| Visiting hours | 10 AM to 5 PM |
| Kite flying area | Not open to the public |
| Contact | ikf@gujarattourism.com, +91 79 23977200 |
MyAhmedabad lists 9 AM to 4 PM instead. Therefore, use the official hours as your baseline and confirm them again for 2027.
Participant registration for 2026 had closed on the official site. As a result, you cannot join as an international flyer without an invitation.
International Kite Festival Across Gujarat
Events spread across several Gujarat cities, not only Ahmedabad. The 2026 schedule below comes from the official festival site, so it is a reliable guide.
| Date (2026) | Location |
| 10 January | Rajkot, Surat, Dholavira |
| 11 January | Shivrajpur, Kevadiya (Statue of Unity), Vadnagar |
| 12 January | Ahmedabad |
| 13 January | Vadodara and Ahmedabad |
| 14 January | Ahmedabad |
India TV News adds that Vadodara, Surat, Kutch and Rajkot host their own kite events. The 2027 schedule may differ, so check again later.
Visiting the Statue of Unity on the same trip? See our guide to the Statue of Unity for planning ideas.
Who Takes Part
The 2026 edition drew 1,071 kite enthusiasts, according to Desh Gujarat. That figure includes 135 international flyers from 50 countries and more than 936 flyers from Indian states.
Desh Gujarat also reported participants from 14 Indian states. Holidify claims “over 45” countries, so figures vary by source and by year.
The same report said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would inaugurate the 2026 festival on January 12, which marked the start of the Ahmedabad programme.
What to See and Do
Gujarat Tourism lists a theme pavilion, kite flying by enthusiasts from around the world, a handicraft market and refreshment stalls.
Desh Gujarat adds that night kite flying and cultural programmes were planned for January 13, with the evening programme starting at 7 PM.
Watch Kite Flying by International Teams
Flyers bring kites of many shapes and sizes. Furthermore, the skies fill with colour from morning until the late afternoon.
You can photograph kites from the visitor areas. Bring a zoom lens or a phone with a good camera for the best shots.
Browse the Handicraft Market
The handicraft market sells local crafts and gifts. Meanwhile, MyAhmedabad says you cannot buy kites at the festival itself, because it is a viewing event.
If you want to fly your own kite, visit a local market in the city instead. Prices and shops vary.
Try Gujarati Festival Food
Gujarat Tourism says families prepare laddoos, undhyu and surati jamun for Uttarayan. Therefore, food stalls and home kitchens share a seasonal menu.
MyAhmedabad also mentions sugarcane, chikki, guava and bor (Indian plum) as local foods. Availability depends on the stall, the day and the crowd.
See the City From a Rooftop
MyAhmedabad recommends Khadia for watching the old city’s kite flying from a rooftop. It says terrace rentals exist for groups.
We could not confirm the rental price. Ask local hosts before you commit, and check the terrace’s railings and access before you book.
What Is Uttarayan?
Uttarayan is Gujarat’s kite festival, held around Makar Sankranti. Gujarat Tourism says kites fill the sky from before dawn until well after dark.
Families gather on rooftops, and kite battles are central. Flyers try to cut rival strings, which is why many use strong, coated strings.
Gujarat Tourism says kites likely reached India through Muslim traders from Persia or Buddhist pilgrims from China. It adds that the exact start of the Uttarayan tradition is unknown.
One blog says Ahmedabad has held the international festival since 1989. We could not confirm this from an official source.
How to Spend a Day at the Festival
This sample plan is our own suggestion, not an official schedule. MyAhmedabad says morning is the best time, though flying depends on wind speed.
Arrive close to the 10 AM start. Then walk the riverfront, watch the flyers and visit the handicraft market before the crowds grow.
Break for lunch at a food stall or nearby restaurant. Afterward, return for the afternoon flying, and leave before the evening rush if you travel with children.
If you stay for the night programme, check the timings first. Desh Gujarat reported cultural events from 7 PM on January 13 in 2026.
What to Pack for the Festival
Mid-January weather is typically warm in the afternoon and cooler at night, though we have not verified a forecast. Pack layers, since you may spend several hours outdoors.
Bring sun protection, a hat, sunglasses and a refillable water bottle. Furthermore, wear comfortable shoes for walking on the riverfront.
Carry a phone power bank, a small bag and some cash for stalls. Keep valuables close in crowded areas, and agree on a meeting point.
Is the Festival Suitable for Families?
The festival is open to all visitors, and entry is free. Families can watch the flyers, browse the market and try local food.
Young children may tire in crowds or strong sun. Therefore, plan regular breaks and keep the group together near busy exits and entry points.
Avoid glass-coated string and keep children away from rooftops without railings. These are general safety points from us, not official festival rules.
Kite Flying Safety Tips
Glass-coated string, called manja, can cut skin and harm birds. WanderOn advises using cotton string and flying kites away from power lines, trees and roads.
These tips are our general advice, not official guidance:
- Keep children away from loose strings on roads.
- Avoid rooftops without railings.
- Never chase a kite onto a road.
- Stay clear of electric lines and poles.
- Wear sun protection and drink water.
Moreover, take care when you ride a two-wheeler. Loose string on roads is a known hazard during the festival season.
Details We Could Not Verify
Some claims on other websites lack an official source. We left them out of the plan, or flagged them, so you can check them yourself.
- The festival’s start year (one blog says 1989).
- The 24-hour Patang Bazaar claim was made by Holidify.
- Terrace rental prices in Khadia.
- Exact parking and entry gates for 2027.
- Official 2027 dates, timings and the Gujarat city schedule.
Moreover, edition numbers such as “33rd” or “35th” appear on some pages without a source. Therefore, we do not state one here.
Where to Stay and How to Plan
Book early if you plan to attend. Hotels fill quickly in mid-January, since the festival coincides with a major holiday. This is a general expectation, not a verified figure.
Staying near the Sabarmati Riverfront saves travel time on busy days. However, rates vary widely, so compare options across several areas before you decide.
Plan your day around the 10 AM start. Furthermore, go early to find a good viewing spot, since crowds build as the day goes on.
Nearby Attractions in Ahmedabad
Several places make a good addition to a festival trip. Our guide to places to visit near Ahmedabad within 50 km lists easy day trips.
The Atal Foot Over Bridge in Ahmedabad crosses the Sabarmati Riverfront. Therefore, it fits well into a visit to the festival area.
Looking for more local events? Read about the Kankaria Carnival. For a short break, see our ideas for weekend places near Ahmedabad.
Longer trip in mind? Our guide to road trips from Ahmedabad within 300 km covers further options for the days after the festival.
Final Thoughts on Planning the International Kite Festival Ahmedabad
The International Kite Festival Ahmedabad is easy to attend and free to enter. Confirm the 2027 dates on the official site before you travel.
Check Gujarat Tourism’s festival site and contact details for updates. We will refresh this guide as soon as official dates appear.
FAQs About the International Kite Festival Ahmedabad
When is the International Kite Festival Ahmedabad?
Where is the International Kite Festival held in Ahmedabad?
Is the International Kite Festival Ahmedabad free?
Can visitors fly kites at the festival?
What are the festival timings?
How many countries take part?
When is Uttarayan?
Which other cities host the festival?
Can tourists buy kites at the festival?
Is the festival safe for children?
