This October, the skies above Cape Town will burst into colour as the 31st Cape Town International Kite Festival returns with renewed energy and a powerful new theme: #CourageToFly. Taking place on 25–26 October 2025 at a new venue — Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery — the festival promises a weekend filled with vibrant displays, family fun, and an inspiring message about resilience and mental health.
Raising Awareness Through Celebration
Organised annually by Cape Mental Health since 1994, the Kite Festival has become one of Cape Town’s most cherished community events, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond. Its purpose is more than celebration—it is a call to awareness. All proceeds from the event go directly to Cape Mental Health, enabling the organisation to continue providing essential free mental health services to vulnerable communities across the Western Cape.
The Meaning of #CourageToFly
The theme #CourageToFly could not be more fitting. In South Africa, mental health challenges affect a large portion of the population, yet stigma and limited access to resources mean that many go untreated. The festival serves as a symbolic and practical way to raise both awareness and funds. Just as a kite soars against the wind, people living with mental health conditions demonstrate daily courage, perseverance, and resilience.
Voices of Inspiration
Professor Doctor Ingrid Daniels, CEO of Cape Mental Health, describes the festival as both a celebration and a statement of solidarity: “Like a kite soaring against strong winds, people living with mental health conditions inspire us all to hold on, rise above, and find strength to persevere.”
A Joyful Return
This year marks the festival’s return to a full two-day format, the first since the pandemic. Families can look forward to spectacular kite displays from local and international flyers, kite-making workshops, live entertainment, an amusement park for children, and a wide selection of food stalls. The expansive new venue at Youngsfield Military Base provides the perfect setting for thousands of kites to take flight, offering both first-time visitors and long-time festival goers a fresh experience.
Beyond the Skies
Beyond the weekend itself, the festival’s impact stretches further through initiatives such as the EduKite competition for schools, inclusive community fly events like the Heideveld Community Fly, and programmes designed to involve people of all ages and abilities. These efforts ensure that the spirit of #CourageToFly resonates long after the festival ends.
Join the Movement
Tickets are available now via Quicket: https://bit.ly/CTKiteFest2025
For those unable to attend, Cape Mental Health encourages donations through its BackaBuddy campaign, ensuring continued support for vital mental health services.
This October, let’s gather under the open skies, raise our kites high, and celebrate the courage it takes to fly—together.
