Name: GSW Kamen KITE — International Kite Festival 2026
Start: 2026-05-30T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-05-31T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Segelflugplatz Kamen-Dortmund, Derner Straße

GSW Kamen KITE

About GSW Kamen KITE

The GSW Kamen KITE is one of Germany's largest kite festivals. From May 30th to 31st, 2026, the airfield on Derner Straße in Kamen will transform into the venue for the 39th edition: around 200 professional kite flyers from around the world, 300 amateurs and semi-pros, and 5,000 to 15,000 visitors. Approximately 30 stalls, children's activities, and a family atmosphere. Highlight: Night flight show on Saturday around 10:30 PM — illuminated kites against the starry sky. Airfield: 60,000 m². Free admission. Drones are prohibited.

Dates 30 May — 31 May 2026

Venue Kamen (05978)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

GSW Kamen KITE — edition 2026

The 39th edition of the GSW Kamen KITE will take place on May 30th and 31st, 2026, at the Kamen Airfield. Expect 200 pro kiters, 300 amateurs, and 5,000-15,000 visitors. Around 30 stalls, children's activities, and a 60,000 m² airfield. Highlight: Night flight show on Saturday around 10:30 PM with illuminated kites. Free admission. Drones prohibited.

The 2026 edition is the 39th since the festival's inception and continues its international focus. The exact program for the pro kiters' performances will be published on the festival website. Drones remain strictly prohibited.

Highlights GSW Kamen KITE 2026

39th edition of the international kite festival
~200 pro kiters, ~300 amateurs
60,000 m² airfield
Night flight show on Saturday around 10:30 PM
5,000-15,000 visitors expected
Free admission

Programme GSW Kamen KITE 2026

Saturday, May 30th, 2026 — Day 1

Daytime: Kite demonstrations by pro kiters, amateurs, and semi-pros
Stalls with snacks, drinks, and kite accessories
Children's activities and family program
10:30 PM — Night Flight Show with illuminated kites — the visual highlight

Sunday, May 31st, 2026 — Day 2

Daytime: Continuation of kite demonstrations
International pro kiters will perform their choreographies
Winding down on Sunday evening

Latest updates at gsw-kamen-kite.de.

Prices GSW Kamen KITE 2026

Free admission. Free parking in Kamen's city center with a walk / shuttle to the airfield.

Practical information

Practical information — GSW Kamen KITE

Getting There

By Car: A1 or A2, exit Kamen, then follow Derner Straße to the airfield. By Bus: City bus lines from Kamen-Mitte. Parking is preferred in the city center with a short walk / free shuttle.

Admission

Free admission.

Drones

Drones are STRICTLY PROHIBITED — for all visitors, participants, and helpers.

Tip

Arrive in good time for the Night Flight Show on Saturday at 10:30 PM — the visual highlight with illuminated kites in the night sky. If the weather permits, combine your visit with an overnight stay in the region (Unna, Hamm, Dortmund) and enjoy the second festival day on Sunday.

Kites Over Kamen

Once a year — at the end of May — the Kamen-Dortmund Airfield becomes a circus in the sky: the GSW Kamen KITE, the International Kite Festival organized by the Luftsportfreunde 2000 Kamen/Dortmund (Aviation Friends). With its 39th edition in 2026, the festival is among Germany's most traditional and internationally high-caliber kite-flying events.

May 30th-31st, 2026 — The 39th KITE

The 2026 edition takes place on Saturday, May 30th, and Sunday, May 31st, 2026, at the airfield on Derner Straße. What to expect:

~200 Pro Kiters from around the world will perform choreographies, stunt shows, and showcase large-scale kite creations.
~300 Amateurs and Semi-Pros will utilize the large airfield simultaneously — a true "democracy of kites."
5,000-15,000 Visitors are expected, depending on the weather.
Approx. 30 Stalls offering snacks, drinks, kite accessories, and souvenirs.
Children's Activities and family entertainment.
60,000 m² Airfield — a vast area, ideal for the largest kite constructions.

Saturday Night Flight Show

The absolute highlight of the festival is the Night Flight Show on Saturday around 10:30 PM: illuminated kites of all sizes and shapes — from LED-equipped stunt kites and giant illuminated animal figures to choreographed multi-kite displays — will fill the night sky over Kamen. It's one of the most visually unique experiences offered by a German outdoor festival.

Drone Ban

Due to increasing incidents involving drones, the festival has been made drone-free: drones are strictly prohibited for all visitors, participants, and helpers. Those wishing to capture aerial footage will have to rely on the official photo and film teams. The reason: drones endanger the kites and flying structures, and the airfield is a sensitive airspace zone.

Free Admission

The festival is completely free. This is a deliberate decision by the organizers: the festival thrives on enthusiasm and donations, not entrance fees. Visitors are encouraged to use the free parking lots in Kamen's city center, arrive by public transport, or come by bicycle (with designated parking).

Kamen and the Airfield

Kamen (approx. 43,000 inhabitants) is located in the Unna district, at the transition from the Ruhr area to the Sauerland region. The Airfield on Derner Straße — shared with Dortmund — offers the ideal space for a kite festival: wide meadows, open skies, and good wind conditions due to its elevated location. The Luftsportfreunde 2000 Kamen/Dortmund also use the field for gliding and model aircraft flying outside of the KITE event.

City of Kamen — Festival Partner

The City of Kamen supports the festival as a municipal partner — GSW (Gemeinschaftsstadtwerke - Joint Municipal Utilities) also lends its name to the local utility company's sponsorship role. This synergy between clubs, utility companies, and the city administration makes the KITE a true event of Kamen's identity.