ABC Kite Fest Austin: Everything Families Need to Know

Seeing thousands of colorful kites flying above Zilker Park is one of those classic Austin experiences every family should try at least once. The ABC Kite Fest is a free, all-day festival with kite flying, children’s activities, live music, food vendors, a community kite contest, and plenty of room for kids to run around.

The festival has been an Austin tradition since 1929 and is considered the longest-running festival of its kind in the country. It began as a kite contest created to encourage local children to get outside and has grown into one of Austin’s biggest spring family events.

ABC Kite Fest 2027 Date and Details

Date: Saturday, April 10, 2027
Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Zilker Park in Austin
Admission: Free

The festival itself is completely free to attend. You may still want to budget for food trucks, shopping at the Mini Market, transportation passes, or the optional paid VIP experience.

Because parking, shuttle routes, vendors, and entertainment schedules can change from year to year, check the official ABC Kite Fest website shortly before attending.

What Is There to Do at the Austin Kite Festival?

You do not have to own a kite—or even know how to fly one—to have fun here. Watching the enormous, unusual, and brightly colored kites floating over the park is a big part of the experience.

Festival activities generally include the following:

Fly a Kite at Zilker Park

Bring a kite from home and find an open part of the field where your family can try to get it into the air.

Simple, lightweight kites are usually easiest for younger children. This is probably not the day to debut a complicated kite that requires an engineering degree and three calm adults to assemble.

Be sure to write your phone number on your kite and keep a close eye on the string. The fields can get busy, and kite strings have a mysterious ability to become tangled the second you look away.

Enter the Exchange Club Kite Contest

The free Exchange Club Kite Contest is open to both children and adults. Families may enter homemade or store-bought kites, and participants can compete in categories such as highest-angle kite, steadiest kite, smallest kite, largest kite, best kite pilot, and most unusual kite.

Youth competition categories are open to children ages 16 and younger, and adults may help younger contestants with their kites. Dual-line, motorized, and drone-style kites are not accepted in the competition. Participants must register before competing, and kites must successfully fly to qualify for judging.

The categories and contest times may change, so review the current contest schedule before festival day.

Listen to Music at MossFest

MossFest is the festival’s children’s concert, with live performances geared toward kids and families.

The concert was created in honor of John “Moss” Pieratt Jr. and supports the work of the Moss Pieratt Foundation, which funds research into sudden unexplained death in childhood. MossFest became part of the ABC Kite Fest in 2016.

Play in the Kids Club

The Kids Club gives children something to do when they need a break from kite flying. Activities vary each year but may include bounce houses, face painting, games, and other hands-on family activities.

This area can become busy, especially during the middle of the day. Families with younger children may want to visit earlier, before the longest lines form.

Visit the Pet Zone

Dogs are welcome at ABC Kite Fest as long as they are well-behaved and remain on a leash. The Pet Zone includes dog-friendly activities and pet-related vendors. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Keep in mind that this is a large event with crowds, children, music, food, and kite strings everywhere. A dog that dislikes crowds may have a happier day at home guarding the couch.

Shop at the Mini Market

The Mini Market features local businesses and vendors selling goods, gifts, and family-friendly products. Browsing is free, but bring a card or some spending money in case something catches your eye.

Grab Food From Austin Vendors

Food and drinks are available for purchase throughout the festival. Vendor selections change each year and typically include a mix of meals, snacks, sweets, and cold drinks.

You may also bring your own food and nonalcoholic drinks into the festival. Packing snacks is a particularly good idea for families with young children or selective eaters.

ABC Kite Fest Parking and Transportation

Transportation is the part of ABC Kite Fest that requires the most planning.

Do not arrive expecting to drive around Zilker Park until a convenient parking space magically appears. The festival attracts a large crowd, nearby roads become busy, and parking in the surrounding neighborhoods is not allowed.

The festival generally offers prepaid parking and shuttle options, but availability and locations may change each year. Passes can sell out, so reserve them as soon as the current year’s transportation information is released.

Other ways to reach the festival may include:

Riding CapMetro
Using a rideshare service
Walking along the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail
Riding a bike or scooter
Purchasing a festival shuttle pass

Free ADA parking is normally available for guests with an appropriate placard or other ADA parking designation. Bicycle parking and portable restrooms are also available at the festival.

Check the official Know Before You Go page shortly before leaving home. Road closures, parking locations, bus routes, rideshare drop-off points, and shuttle procedures can change.

What to Bring to ABC Kite Fest

A little preparation will make the day much easier, especially with younger kids.

Bring:

A kite and extra kite string
A picnic blanket
Sunscreen and hats
Refillable water bottles
Snacks or a packed lunch
Comfortable walking shoes
A stroller or wagon for younger children
Wipes and hand sanitizer
A portable phone charger

There are portable restrooms and handwashing stations throughout the festival grounds. Guests in the paid High Flyer Club receive access to upgraded air-conditioned restrooms.

Leave alcohol, cigarettes, grills, tents, and pop-up canopies at home.

Tips for Visiting ABC Kite Fest With Kids

Arrive Early

Arriving close to the 10 a.m. opening gives your family more room to get settled before the biggest crowds arrive. The temperatures may also be more comfortable earlier in the day.

Choose a Family Meeting Spot

Zilker Park is enormous, and the fields look surprisingly similar when they are full of people. Pick an obvious meeting point as soon as you arrive.

Older kids should know where to go if the family becomes separated. For younger children, consider using a wristband or sticker with a parent’s phone number.

Take a Picture of Your Kids

Take a quick photo of each child after you arrive. That gives you a current picture showing exactly what they are wearing, just in case someone wanders off.

Dress Kids in Bright Colors

A neon shirt is much easier to spot across a field than another beige Austin festival outfit.

Manage Expectations With Toddlers

Toddlers can absolutely enjoy ABC Kite Fest, but there is a lot of walking, noise, sun, and activity. A stroller or wagon, plenty of snacks, and a shorter visit may work better than trying to stay for the entire seven-hour festival.

Test Your Kite Before the Festival

Trying your kite once at a neighborhood park can save considerable frustration. Make sure all the pieces are present, the string is attached correctly, and your child understands that running directly through a crowd while staring backward is generally frowned upon.

Bring More Water Than You Think You Need

Austin spring weather can range from pleasantly breezy to “why is it already summer?” Everyone should have water, even if you plan to buy drinks at the festival.

Is the High Flyer Club Worth It?

General admission to ABC Kite Fest is free, but families who want a more comfortable experience can purchase access to the High Flyer Club.

The VIP area generally includes early entry, shaded seating, catered food and snacks, family entertainment, upgraded air-conditioned restrooms, and the option to purchase nearby VIP parking. Passes must be bought in advance and are limited.

It may be worth considering for families who want shade, convenient food, easier bathroom access, and fewer logistical headaches. Families trying to keep the day inexpensive can still enjoy the main festival without purchasing a pass.

Check the current festival website for updated prices and exactly what is included before buying.

What Happens if It Rains?

Festival organizers work with the City of Austin to monitor the weather and protect both visitors and Zilker Park.

If the park is considered unsafe or unusable, the event may be delayed, postponed, or canceled. When the City of Austin cancels the festival, prepaid VIP, parking, and shuttle passes are refunded.

Follow the festival’s social media accounts and check its website before leaving home, especially when rain or storms are in the forecast.

A Brief History of the ABC Kite Fest

The first Austin kite tournament was held at Lamar Park in 1929. At the time, building a kite could involve carpentry skills, cotton sheets, and quite a bit more effort than opening a package from Target.

When Zilker Park opened in 1936, the kite festival became the first event held there. Adults were officially allowed to compete beginning in 1956, turning the children’s contest into a tradition shared across generations.

Today, the festival remains free and continues to support the Moss Pieratt Foundation and the Exchange Club of Austin.

Is ABC Kite Fest Worth Visiting?

ABC Kite Fest is one of the best free spring events for families in Austin. The sight of kites filling the sky above Zilker Park is genuinely special, and there is enough music, play, food, and people-watching to entertain families even when the wind refuses to cooperate.

The main challenge is getting there. Make a transportation plan, arrive early, pack for a full day outside, and do not count on finding last-minute parking near the park.

I absolutely think it’s worth it to go at least once!

ABC Kite Fest Austin FAQ

Is ABC Kite Fest free?

Yes. General admission and the festival’s main activities are free. Food, vendor purchases, transportation passes, and the optional High Flyer Club cost extra.

When is ABC Kite Fest 2027?

ABC Kite Fest is scheduled for Saturday, April 10, 2027, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. at Zilker Park.

Can I bring my own kite?

Yes. Families are encouraged to bring their own kites. Homemade and store-bought kites may also be entered in the community kite contest.

Can I bring food and drinks?

Yes. Visitors may bring snacks, meals, and nonalcoholic drinks. Food and drinks are also sold by festival vendors.

Are dogs allowed at ABC Kite Fest?

Yes. Well-behaved dogs are welcome but must remain leashed. Owners must clean up after their pets.

Can I bring a tent or pop-up canopy?

No. Tents and pop-up canopies are not permitted. Bring a picnic blanket, hats, sunscreen, and other portable sun protection instead.

Where should I park for ABC Kite Fest?

Parking and shuttle options vary by year and should be purchased in advance when available. Neighborhood parking is not permitted. Visitors may also use public transportation, rideshare, bikes, scooters, or the hike-and-bike trail.

More Things to Do Near Zilker Park With Kids

Turn your visit into a full Austin family day by exploring more of Zilker Park, riding the Zilker Eagle mini train, the playground, Zilker Park Boat Rentals for kayaking on Lady Bird Lake, taking a dip at Barton Springs if it’s a hot day, visiting the free Austin Nature & Science Center, or checking out the Zilker Botanical Garden.

Before heading out, check the official ABC Kite Fest website for current transportation information, schedules, weather updates, festival maps, and any last-minute changes.