One of Rhode Island’s most enduring free public events returns to the edge of the Atlantic this summer, and organizers say this year’s Newport Kite Festival will be unlike any before it.
The festival is scheduled for July 11–12, 2026, at Brenton Point State Park, running noon to 4 p.m. each day. Admission is free. The event features sport kite demonstrations, team kite performances, open-field flying for all ages, and artisan and food vendors, along with a commemorative program marking more than four decades of the festival’s history.
But the 40th anniversary is prompting organizers to do something they haven’t done before — tell the full story of how the festival came to be, and who has always been part of it.
“Newport has always been a place where history runs deeper than the postcard version,” said Rashida Black, volunteer lead for marketing, development and community partnerships. “This festival is part of that deeper history. We’re not adding anything new. We’re simply showcasing what’s already been here.”
That history, organizers say, includes generations of families from Japan, the Caribbean, West Africa and Southeast Asia, alongside working-class and Indigenous communities whose connection to Brenton Point predates the festival itself.
Pre-festival programming will begin at the Newport Public Library with a hands-on kitemaking workshop for children on June 27, followed by a cultural kite exhibition opening July 1.
Organizers are also developing partnerships with the Newport Historical Society and local cultural organizations, with additional announcements expected in the coming weeks. The festival is organized entirely by volunteers.
Full programming details will be announced in the coming months. For more information, visit newportkitefestival.com.