Each September, the Oregon Coast explodes with color as giant kites take to the skies above Lincoln City. From September 19–21, 2025, families, artists, and dreamers alike will gather at the D River State Recreation Site—just north of Depoe Bay—for the beloved Fall Kite Festival.
This isn’t your average beach day. It’s a weekend where the horizon transforms into a canvas of huge, colorful squid swimming through the skies, whales breaching the clouds, and fast Rokkaku kites looping and whirling above the waves. With every gust of coastal wind, the beach comes alive in brilliant shapes and colors, creating one of the most enchanting traditions on the Oregon Coast.
Friday Night Glow
The celebration begins on Friday, September 19, from 7–9 PM with the dazzling Night Fly. As the sun sinks into the Pacific, illuminated kites rise into the evening sky, glowing like lanterns over the sand. It’s a family-friendly spectacle you’ll never forget, blending art, performance, and the magic of a starlit Oregon Coast evening.
Saturday & Sunday Highlights (September 20–21)
- Festival Kickoff — Announcements and opening performance at 10:00 AM
- Kite-Making Workshop (10:00 AM–2:00 PM) — Free workshop with donations benefiting Family Promise of Lincoln County
- Performances by Featured Fliers (10:00 AM–4:00 PM) — Watch the pros create breathtaking displays
- Sunday Memorial Fly (11:00–11:20 AM) — A moving tribute to kite fliers who have passed
- Mega Fly (Sunday, 12:30–1:30 PM) — Every kite and every flier take to the skies together for a truly awe-inspiring sight
- Tours of the Big Kite Field (2:00–3:00 PM) — Learn insider details and see the massive kites up close
- Pixie Fest Carnival Games (all day) — Donations benefit Kiwanis Club of Lincoln City
- Walk Through the Wind Garden (all day) — A whimsical coastal tradition
- Art Kite Display (all day) — Artistic creations that merge design and flight
- Big Show Kites (all day) — Gigantic kites filling the skies with color and wonder
Note: The schedule is subject to change depending on weather and conditions. Times are approximate.
Parking and Shuttles
Parking is available at the Lincoln City Community Center and Lincoln City Outlets, with free shuttle service running continuously:
- Friday: 6:30–9:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM
Download the official Parking Guide on the festival’s website for full details.
FAQs
Are dogs allowed?
Yes. Leashed dogs are welcome on the beach. Please clean up after your pet.
Are service animals allowed?
Yes. Service animals are welcome both at the festival and on shuttle services.
Can I fly my own kite at the festival?
Not on the festival field. Performances are reserved for professionals. However, you are welcome to fly your own kite at other nearby stretches of beach.
Will there be food vendors?
Yes. Kristi’s Food Truck will be onsite serving hot dogs, burgers, Indian tacos, and more.
Can I buy festival gear?
Yes. Scout Northwest Trading Company will be selling official Kite Festival t-shirts and logo merchandise on-site.
Make It a Weekend to Remember
Lincoln City offers more than just kites. Start your mornings with whale watching in nearby Depoe Bay, shop the local boutiques and galleries, then relax with a hot bowl of chowder or fresh-caught fish and chips before heading back to the sand. With kites above, waves below, and the Oregon Coast all around, the Fall Kite Festival is a perfect mix of family fun and coastal charm.
So pack a picnic blanket, grab your coziest sweater, and head to the beach—because for one weekend only, Lincoln City will turn the skies into a living work of art.
