Home » India Travel News » Hyderabad’s International Kite Festival Takes Flight, Bringing Global Flyers, Cultural Displays, and Sweet Treats to the City for an Unforgettable Travel Experience Published on
January 14, 2026The International Kite and Sweet Festival has begun in Hyderabad, India, bringing an explosion of colour, culture and celebration to the city’s skies. Held at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad, from 13–15 January 2026, this three‑day cultural event coincides with the Makar Sankranti festival — a traditional harvest celebration observed across India each January. Organised by the Telangana Tourism Department, the festival attracts international and domestic kite enthusiasts, families and travellers, boosting local tourism and showcasing Telangana’s vibrant heritage.What the International Kite Festival IsHyderabad’s International Kite Festival is part of larger Sankranti festivities that celebrate the arrival of spring through high‑spirited kite flying, sweets and cultural programmes. The event features kite flying by professionals and hobbyists, a sweet food exhibition, handicraft stalls, folk performances and community activities.The festival sees participation from kite flyers across the world — with around 40 professionals from 19 countries and another 55 national flyers from 15 Indian states — filling the sky with diverse, creatively designed kites.Entry to the Kite and Sweet Festival is free for visitors and runs from early morning into the evening every day.Tradition and Tourism: Why It MattersThe International Kite Festival is part of a broader strategy by the Government of Telangana to promote local culture and increase tourism traffic during the month of January, when weather in Hyderabad is pleasantly cool — ideal for outdoor festivities.The festival combines the joy of kite flying with a sweet festival and cultural showcases that highlight regional art, handicrafts and culinary diversity, making it attractive to families, cultural travellers and international visitors.Advertisement The festival’s scheduling during Makar Sankranti links it to India’s traditional solar calendar and harvest celebrations, connecting travellers with an authentic and centuries‑old cultural experience.Event Highlights and ActivitiesKite Flying DisplaysVisible from many parts of the city, the sky over Parade Grounds comes alive with colourful kites of various shapes and sizes. Competitions and demonstrations by international flyers add a thrilling competitive element for spectators.Sweet FestivalAlongside kite displays, the festival hosts a sweet stalls exhibition featuring over 1,200 varieties of traditional sweets from across India and beyond, prepared by homemakers and culinary artisans.Handicraft and Handloom ExhibitsMore than 100 stall …
