Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the International Kite Festival at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz was also present as the special guest for the programme.

The festival will take place in Ahmedabad from January 12 to 14, 2026, featuring both international and domestic kite flyers who will display a wide range of large and artistic kites. A special night kite-flying session has been scheduled for January 13. Visitors can also look forward to a heritage haveli and ancient bridge installation inspired by Ahmedabad’s architectural legacy, a vibrant handicrafts market, a kite museum along the heritage walkway, themed photo-wall displays, and cultural programmes beginning each evening at 7 pm. Popular folk singer Kinjalben Dave is also slated to perform during the event.

In all, 1,071 kite flyers will take part, including 135 international participants from 50 countries, 65 flyers from 13 Indian states, and 871 participants from 16 districts of Gujarat. To showcase local traditions, the venue will host 25 handicraft stalls and 15 food stalls offering regional crafts and cuisine.

Beyond Ahmedabad, the International Kite Festival–2026 will be organised at several locations across Gujarat. Events are scheduled in Rajkot, Surat and Dholavira (Kutch) on January 10; Vadnagar, Shivrajpur and the Statue of Unity on January 11; and in Vadodara on January 13.

Last year’s festival drew over 3.83 lakh visitors across the state. Through the International Kite Festival, Gujarat Tourism seeks to highlight the state’s key cultural and tourist destinations at national and international platforms. Officials estimate that more than five lakh tourists are expected to visit Gujarat during the 2026 edition of the festival. DeshGujarat