Austin has gained a reputation of having an overwhelming sense of community through the many “third spaces” and community events that the city offers. One of the most prominent of these community events that the city puts together is the ABC Kite Festival.
The Kite Festival was founded in 1929 by the Exchange Club of Austin, making it one of Austin’s oldest running traditions, drawing in thousands of attendees each year. Few events even make it close to their respective centennials like the ABC Kite Festival, and even if they do, they’re not always as popular as the Kite Fest. According to Dorsey Twidwell, the president of the Exchange Club of Austin and co-chairperson of the kite contest, one major secret to its longevity is the inclusive atmosphere.
“In a city that’s changed as much as Austin has, this event has stayed true to its roots,” Twidwell said. “It’s free, it’s family-friendly, and it’s genuinely for everyone.”
This inclusivity makes the Kite Fest a place where all people are able to experience the authenticity that Austin provides. It gives everyone the opportunity to experience everything the city has to offer.
“It’s one of the last truly free, truly communal events in Austin,” Twidwell said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from or how long you’ve lived here. The Kite Festival belongs to everyone.”
According to Collyn Burke, a member of the Kite Fest’s PR team, the concept of simply getting together in a park to fly kites is an easy idea to get behind. For a great number of Austinites, this makes the event a great way to spend time.
“It’s people coming together outdoors to celebrate something as timeless as flying a kite,” Burke said. “That kind of authenticity is hard to manufacture.”
In Burke’s mind, that city identity is exactly what makes the ABC Kite Festival an enjoyable experience. It gives Austinites something to share and experience together.
“Austin has always had this spirit of showing up together in a way that feels genuinely joyful and unscripted,” Burke said. “The Kite Festival taps into that perfectly.”
Additionally, it’s a place to get away from the stress and anxiety that comes along with living in a big city such as Austin. It helps people calm down and enjoy their lives, the music, and thousands upon thousands of kites.
“There’s this collective exhale,” Burke said. “Everyone’s outside, the kites are up, and for a few hours the city just breathes.”
ABC Kite Fest takes place each spring in Zilker Park, and the 98th anniversary of the festival took place April 11, 2026. The next festival will take place April 10, 2027
