The Cartagena Kite Festival: How a Forgotten Event Becomes the Perfect Family Plan

What it is and context

If there is a plan that competes with the boardwalk on a sunny Sunday in Cartagena, it is the Kite Festival. And no, it is not that tourist event you see in the brochures of the hotels in Bocagrande. It is a neighborhood tradition that has resurged strongly in recent years and that in May 2026 promises to fill the sky with color, but also with stories.

The festival was born over a decade ago in the Olaya Herrera neighborhood, one of the most vibrant and identity-rich communities in the city. What started as a handful of neighbors gathering on a vacant lot to fly kites made from plastic bags and broomsticks is now an event that brings together hundreds of families from all over Cartagena and tourists looking for something authentic, far from the crowds of the Centro Histórico.

The beauty of the festival is that it has no pretensions. There are no giant stages, no liquor brand sponsorships, no VIP lines. It is a community event where what matters is sharing, watching the children run, and, of course, competing to see who can fly the highest or most creative kite.

Secret history: the origin in Olaya Herrera

Few know that the Cartagena Kite Festival did not start in a park or with the mayor's office involved. It all began in the Olaya Herrera neighborhood, specifically on the court of the El Pozón sector, when a group of community mothers were looking for an activity to keep children off the streets during the mid-year vacation.

Doña Matilde, a neighborhood leader many remember fondly, was the one who pushed for the first event. She got spools of thread donated by a hardware store in downtown and convinced neighbors to donate fabric scraps. That first time, in 2012, about 40 children participated. Today, the event gathers more than 800 people each year.

The festival has moved locations several times. It has been held at the court of the La Candelaria neighborhood, the linear park of El Bosque, and more recently, Playa del Cabanyal, which has become the ideal setting due to its spaciousness and constant breeze. The April 2026 edition was a resounding success, and the May one promises to be just as good or better.

Fun fact: in the early editions, winners received a lunch at the organizer's house as a prize. Today, prizes include school kits and bicycles donated by small local businesses.

Event details: program, dates and activities

The Cartagena Kite Festival takes place over two consecutive weekends in May 2026. The main event is Sunday, May 17, with activities from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Playa del Cabanyal. There is a preliminary day on Saturday, May 16, focused on workshops and preparation.

General program

• Saturday, May 16 – Construction workshops: from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Casa de la Cultura in the Olaya Herrera neighborhood. Here they teach how to make kites from scratch, using recycled materials and traditional techniques. It is free and you don't need to bring anything.
• Sunday, May 17 – Main festival: from 9:00 a.m. at Playa del Cabanyal. There will be a kite contest (categories: height, design, and originality), a clown show, live music with local groups, and typical food stalls.
• Sunday, May 24 – Closing and awards ceremony: second day of free flying and award ceremony for the winners from the previous week. There will also be a kite release with peace messages.

The event is completely outdoors, so the sea breeze is the star. There are no bleachers or chairs: people sit on the sand or bring their own beach chairs.

Prices and how to get tickets

Here comes the best part: the Kite Festival is completely free. There are no tickets, no presale, no lines to buy an entry. You just show up, participate, and enjoy.

If you want to participate in the kite construction workshops on Saturday the 16th, you don't pay anything either. You just need to arrive early because spots are limited. It is recommended to arrive before 9:30 a.m. to secure a place.

The only things that cost money are the food and drinks sold at the festival stalls. Prices are affordable: a plate of fried snacks (empanadas, pasteles, carimañolas) costs around $8,000 COP, and a soda or water is between $2,000 and $3,000 COP. Everything in cash, because not all stalls have card machines.

• Empanada: $1,500 COP
• Chicken pastel: $2,500 COP
• Water or soda: $2,500 COP
• Natural lemonade: $3,000 COP

How to get there

Playa del Cabanyal is located in the southeastern area of Cartagena, on the road that connects to the city entrance from the Variante. It is a residential, non-tourist area, so public transportation is the most practical option.

By bus

From the Centro Histórico or Bocagrande, take a bus on the Ternera – Cabanyal route that goes along Avenida Pedro de Heredia. The trip takes about 30 minutes and costs $2,800 COP. The bus drops you off two blocks from the beach.

By taxi or app

A taxi from Bocagrande costs between $15,000 and $20,000 COP. On apps like InDriver or Didi, the price is usually lower, around $12,000 COP. If you go in a group, it is cheaper to split the ride.

By private car

There is improvised parking on the main road, free of charge, but arrive early because it fills up quickly. There is no guarded parking, so don't leave valuables in sight.

Where to stay nearby

If you are coming from another city and want to stay near the festival, there are budget options in the Olaya Herrera neighborhood and surrounding areas like El Bosque or La Candelaria. Some recommended accommodations:

• Hostal Casa Olaya: on Calle 31 with Carrera 12, rooms from $45,000 COP per night. It is simple but clean and a 10-minute walk from the beach.
• Apartamentos El Bosque: on Carrera 8 with Calle 38, ideal for large families. Prices from $80,000 COP per night.

It is recommended to check availability and prices directly, as they may vary depending on the season.

Tips for attendees

To enjoy the festival to the fullest, here are some tips from someone who has been several times:

• Bring sunscreen and a hat: the sun in Cartagena is intense, and there is no natural shade on the beach. Sunscreen is mandatory, especially for children.
• Water, lots of water: although there are drink stalls, it is better to bring a large bottle and refill it. Hydration is key.
• Light clothing and comfortable shoes: no jeans or closed shoes. The hot sand and breeze require light clothing. Flip-flops or sandals are the best option.
• Bring your own kite if you want: if you already have one, bring it. If not, the Saturday workshop will teach you how to make one. Kites are also sold on site from $5,000 COP.
• Arrive early: the festival starts at 9:00 a.m., but there is already movement from 8:00 a.m. Arriving early allows you to choose a good spot and avoid the strongest midday sun.
• Cash is king: most food and kite stalls do not accept cards. Withdraw cash before arriving.
• Don't leave trash: the festival promotes care for the environment. Bring a bag for your waste and dispose of it in the containers set up by the organizers.

An event that connects with the most authentic Cartagena

The Kite Festival is not an event for Instagram, although the photos turn out spectacular. It is an event to experience as a family, to remember what it was like to have fun without screens, to feel the Caribbean breeze on your face while watching your child run after a kite you made together the afternoon before.

In a city where tourism often takes all the attention, initiatives like this remind us that Cartagena is also neighborhoods, people, and tradition. And that the best plan is not always the most expensive or the most advertised.