Familien-Drachenfest Krummhörn

Autumn wind over the Wadden Sea – ideal conditions for kite flying

The East Frisian coast is one of the windiest areas in Germany in autumn. Fresh, steady west winds blow across the open Wadden Sea towards the dikes – ideal conditions for launching kites. While other kite festivals have to hope for favorable weather, Krummhörn can rely on its wind: it almost always blows here, and the wide dike offers the necessary open space, free from trees or power lines that could interfere with kite flying.

What families can experience

The kite festival is explicitly designed for families. The focus is on simple, intergenerational fun with kite flying:

• Bring your own kites or buy them on-site – several stalls offer classic kites, stunt kites, and beginner models
• Crafting session for children – make small fabric kites on-site with the help of animators
• Show demonstrations – experienced kite flyers launch giant show kites, acrobatic stunt kites, and ground objects (Octopus, Manta, Penguins)
• Hands-on station – professional kite flyers give tips, help with launches, and demonstrate stunt kite techniques
• Food stalls – warm drinks, tea, mulled wine, East Frisian snacks

Show kites as the main attraction

The main attraction is the large show kites, some of which have wingspans of over 20 meters. Giant octopuses, mantas, penguins, and fantasy creatures seem to float in the sky and on the ground – several control lines keep the ground objects secure. In addition, ambitious stunt kite pilots demonstrate their skills with choreographed flight patterns, precise control, and occasionally synchronized multi-line kites that behave almost like sculptures in the air.

Kite flying as an intergenerational tradition

The kite festival appeals to all generations: grandparents who stood on the East Frisian dike in the 1960s with homemade paper kites, parents who want to pass on the same experience to their children, and children who see their first own kite in the sky with sparkling eyes. The festival is commercially restrained, admission is free, the kites themselves are inexpensive – the appeal lies in the simple joy of the wind, the colorful sky, and the shared experience.