Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival Returns With a Night Fly and Giant Kites This September

Giant kites will return to the Oregon Coast this September for the Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival.

The 2026 Fall Kite Festival will bring a three days of aerial displays, professional kite fliers, family activities, and a nighttime show to the beach.

The event runs Sept. 25-27, with the main festivities scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

This year’s festival will take place at Chinook Winds Casino Resort instead of its traditional location at D River Wayside. The temporary move is due to construction happening for the new Lincoln City Welcome Center at D River Wayside.

What is new at the 2026 Fall Kite Festival?

This year’s festival starts Friday evening with a Night Fly from 7 to 9 p.m.

Illuminated kites will fly over the beach after dark, giving visitors a different view of an event usually known for filling Lincoln City’s daytime skies with enormous, colorful kites.

Pixie Fest Carnival Games will also be available during the Night Fly, with donations benefiting the Kiwanis Club of Lincoln City.

Free shuttle service will run from designated parking areas from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday.

What is happening Sept. 25-27?

The main festival begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27 with an opening performance, followed by professional kite demonstrations throughout the day.

One of the weekend highlights is the Mega Fly from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., when all of the participating fliers take to the field together.

Visitors can also tour the Big Kite Field from 2 to 3 p.m. Both days include giant show kites, an art kite display, the Wind Garden, carnival games, and performances by featured fliers.

A Kite Flier Memorial is scheduled from 11 to 11:20 a.m. Sunday.

Can kids make their own kites?

A free kite-making workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 26 and 27

Donations collected during the workshop will benefit Family Promise of Lincoln County.

Visitors should know that personal kite flying is not allowed within the festival flying area. That space is reserved for professional fliers, although visitors can fly their own kites elsewhere along Lincoln City’s beach.

Where is the festival taking place this year?

Returning visitors will want to pay attention to this year’s location.

The Fall Kite Festival is traditionally held at D River Wayside in the center of Lincoln City. For 2026, the event is temporarily moving north to the beach at Chinook Winds Casino Resort while the new Lincoln City Welcome Center is under construction at D River Wayside.

The change also affects where visitors should park.

Designated festival parking will be available around Chinook Winds Casino, 1st Choice Fresh Market, and on the top level of the parking structure at the Lincoln City Outlets.

Free shuttles will run continuously from those locations from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

What should visitors know before going?

Here’s what to know about the 2026 Lincoln City Fall Kite Festival:

• Dates: Sept. 25-27, 2026

• Friday Night Fly: 7-9 p.m.

• Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Location: Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City

• Admission: Free

• Kite-making workshop: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 26 and 27

• Mega Fly: 12:30-1:30 p.m. Sept. 26 and 27

• Big Kite Field tours: 2-3 p.m. Sept. 26 and 27

• Parking: Designated lots with free shuttle service

• Dogs: Leashed dogs are welcome on the beach

Bristo’s Place Food Truck is also scheduled to be at the festival, and Scout Northwest Trading Company will have Kite Festival merchandise available.

Festival organizers note that activities and times can change because of weather, scheduling conflicts, or other circumstances.

For Oregon Coast travelers, the three-day event adds another reason to visit Lincoln City after the busiest part of the summer travel season. The Friday Night Fly also gives returning festival visitors something different to see before the giant show kites and professional performances take over the beach during the weekend.

More information and schedule updates are available from Explore Lincoln City.