Bali, Eyewitness | The annual festival held from July 23 to 26, 2026 was attended by participants from 23 countries featuring 105 international kites of various shapes and one thousand traditional Balinese kites.
Rooted in Balinese culture, the festival honours Sang Hyang Rare Angon, the deity believed to summon the wind, while showcasing the island’s magnificent traditional bebean, pecukan, and sacred janggan kites.
The four day festival will feature a range of different kites, from Bali, Indonesia and across the world, and is a true international affair.
A Cultural and Spiritual Odyssey
The Denpasar Kite Festival — locally known as the Festival Layang-Layang Denpasar — stands as Bali’s largest and most internationally recognized kite competition. It draws teams from across Bali and countries like Japan, Australia, France, Malaysia, the USA, and the Netherlands. This is not merely a recreational event; in Balinese Hindu tradition, kite flying is a spiritual offering to the gods, a prayer for good harvests and divine blessings during the windy August.
The Denpasar City Government hopes the Bali International Kite Festival will continue to develop into a leading tourist attraction, attracting both domestic and international tourists to Denpasar, particularly the Sanur area.
Meanwhile, Eka Surya Wirawan, Chair of the Rare Angon International Kite Festival 2026 Committee, explained that the festival, held from July 23–26, 2026, aims not only to enhance Sanur’s tourism appeal but also to serve as an educational platform for kite flyers and the public. The festival’s concept is a blend of Balinese kite traditions with the modern creativity of international kite flyers.
“A total of 96 international kite flyers from 23 countries participated in this festival. “We hope that the Balinese kite tradition can continue to thrive through collaboration and knowledge exchange with kite flyers worldwide,” he explained.
A Haven for Kite Flying
Held on the Padanggalak Beach and Mertasari Beach in Sanur, Denpasar, the festival benefits from the ideal kite flying conditions provided by the consistent August trade winds. Sanur is one of Bali’s oldest beach communities, known for its artistic community and family-friendly beaches. The Sanur beach strip’s wide, flat expanse is the traditional home of Bali’s kite flying culture.
In addition to the international kite exhibition and attractions, the festival also features various activities such as workshops, the Baleganjur competition, the Pindekan competition, the Sunari competition, and the Kober Kite competition. There are 26 competition categories for traditional kites, while international kite performances are presented in the form of shows.
Visitors can also enjoy evening kite shows, a variety of local MSME culinary delights, family-friendly entertainment, and various other exciting activities.
“This festival is an event that brings together the Balinese kite tradition and the creativity of international kites in beautiful harmony. Hopefully, through this festival, the boundless friendship between kites in Bali, Indonesia, and the world can continue to grow,” he said.
