Kite Days at Maximilianpark Hamm

Kite Days Maxipark — when the sky above Hamm turns colourful

Looking for a late-summer family festival driven by an unusual hobby? The Kite Days at Maximilianpark Hamm have been THE destination for German kite enthusiasts for decades — and the 30th edition on September 12th and 13th, 2026, will be the biggest yet. On the wide meadow in front of the striking Glass Elephant, the walkable sculpture by artist Horst Rellecke and a park landmark, kite builders from all over Germany and the Netherlands meet to demonstrate, explain, and above all, launch their kites into the wind.

Drachenfreunde Hamm e.V. as organiser

The festival is organised by the volunteer association Drachenfreunde Hamm e.V., in close cooperation with Maximilianpark Hamm GmbH. The Drachenfreunde Hamm are one of the most traditional kite associations in North Rhine-Westphalia — members build their own kites, often based on historical models, in workshops in Hamm and the wider Ruhr area. Some of the kites shown are small works of art made of bamboo and Chinese silk, others are huge fabric constructions with tail lengths of up to 30 metres.

What you will see

Over two days, the participating kite flyers will showcase the entire spectrum:

• Ultra-light stunt kites — Four-line kites that pilots use to perform real acrobatics in the sky
• Traditional Asian kites made of bamboo and silk, often with elaborately painted motifs
• Large kites up to 20 metres in wingspan, launched with the help of assistants
• Children's kites with crafting stations for self-built models
• Themed kites — from butterflies to kite-kites, i.e., kites in the shape of dragons

Workshops and building tips

The Drachenfreunde Hamm are not just flyers, but also explainers. Over the two days, members will offer building tips on materials, aerodynamics, knot techniques, and choosing the right spars. Children can build small kites themselves under guidance and take them home for a donation.

Maxipark as a backdrop

The Maxipark with its meadow by the Glass Elephant provides the ideal kite backdrop — wide sightlines, consistent wind from the west, and free flight altitude. The Glass Elephant itself, a 30-metre-high walkable sculpture from 1984, forms a striking visual composition with the kites in the sky.

Hamm and the eastern Ruhr area

Hamm is an independent city in the eastern Ruhr area, administrative district of Arnsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, with around 180,000 inhabitants. The Maximilianpark in the Werries district emerged from the former Maximilian colliery in 1984 and is part of the Industrial Heritage Trail. Themed gardens, a butterfly house, and several playgrounds — and of course, the large kite meadow — extend over 22 hectares.