Zilker Kite Festival is one of Austin’s best-known annual events. Held on the first Sunday of March, it is the kick-off to the hundreds of springtime activities in Austin. Everyone is welcome to attend (pets too!). There is no admission to attend or to participate in the contest.

The ‘Kite Tournament’ was created by The Exchange Club of Austin in 1929 with a mission to encourage creativity in children. Exchange Club President Ed St. John came up with the idea to give kids a constructive activity the community could participate in. In 1936, the Exchange Club partnered with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department to bring the event to newly opened Zilker Park. In 1956 the Kite Tournament was opened to competitors of all ages, and to this day contest events have changed very little. It is the longest continuously running kite festival in the United States and is sponsored by the Exchange Club and the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department every year.