By Gugulethu Tshabalala
Picture: Sulize Terreblanche / Supplied
There are few things quite as uplifting as looking up and seeing a sky filled with colour.
This October, Cape Town will once again turn its skies into a spectacular canvas as the Cape Town International Kite Festival returns for its 32nd edition.
Taking place on 24 and 25 October 2026 at Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery, this year's festival embraces the theme #ColourTheSky, bringing together travel, creativity, community and mental health awareness.
A different way to experience Cape Town
Cape Town is already one of South Africa's most popular travel destinations, known for its dramatic coastline, iconic Table Mountain, food scene and cultural attractions. Yet experiences such as the festival offer visitors another reason to explore the Mother City.
The festival is organised by Cape Mental Health, with proceeds supporting the organisation's mental health programmes and services. That gives the weekend an added layer of purpose: visitors aren't simply attending an event; they are contributing to an initiative that supports mental wellbeing in communities.
Where the sky becomes the main attraction
The highlight, naturally, is the kites. From enormous, imaginative designs to colourful creations soaring above the grounds, the event turns an ordinary spring weekend into a visual spectacle. Families can spend time outdoors together, and visitors get a distinctly local experience to add to a weekend itinerary.
The #ColourTheSky message goes beyond the spectacle. Mental health is often discussed through statistics, diagnoses and serious conversations. The festival offers a different approach: using creativity, connection and shared experiences to start conversations about mental wellbeing. The kites become a symbol of hope, resilience and connection.
Make it a Cape Town weekend
For travellers from outside the city, the festival could easily be the centrepiece of a spring weekend away. Spend Saturday at the festival, xplore Cape Town's restaurants and markets, and come back for Sunday before heading home. It also suits families, couples and solo travellers looking for a relaxed day out.
Plan your visit
Tickets are available at bit.ly/CTKiteFest2026, with proceeds supporting Cape Mental Health's work.
Whether you're travelling to Cape Town specifically for the festival or adding it to an existing trip, it offers what many travel experiences don't: a chance to have fun while being part of something meaningful.
Because sometimes xploring a destination isn't only about where you go.It's about how an experience makes you feel, and who you experience it with.
