Cancellation of the 2020 St Annes International Kite Festival

It is with great regret that as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic Fylde Council has cancelled this year's St Annes International Kite Festival, which was due to take place in September. 

The festival is one of Fylde’s most popular events and an incredible spectacle not to be missed. The event which takes place on the award-winning beach adjacent to St Annes Pier attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Due to the most recent government guidance and restrictions on social distancing and large gatherings, it would not be possible to hold such an event. The Fylde borough has seen an influx of visitors to the coast, and to potentially add increased numbers for the fantastic spectacle of the kite festival in September would put severe pressure on our already stretched local services. The safety of our residents and visitors must always be paramount, so we must adhere to the social distancing measures. Unfortunately, with the uncertainties on what restrictions will be in place in September, it is just not possible to stage the event this year.

Cllr Cheryl Little, Chair of Fylde Council’s Tourism and Leisure Committee, said “I am disappointed for everyone - participants, residents and visitors alike that we will not be able to see the skies filled with hundreds of colourful shapes and sizes of assorted spectacular kites this year, but we have to recognize there is still a pandemic, which has seen so many events cancelled this year, including many for September. Adding the attraction of the kite event to what could also be a busy weekend and also not knowing what restrictions we could be working with in September, it is sadly just not possible to stage the event this year. Therefore, we have to now look forward to spectacular 2021 for an event not to be missed.”

Craig Harby, from kite flier team Smile Factor 10 said “We absolutely love putting on this event in St Anne’s. It attracts visitors from all over the world and so we are naturally really disappointed not be able to put on the show this year. We had been hoping that guidance might allow for the event to take place this year, in some way, but we fully understand that with current uncertainties of what may or may not be in place in September that it is just not possible. The safety of the public, kite flyers, local people and businesses has to be paramount and we will plan to return next year with a brilliant show for everyone. We would like to thank Fylde Council for their support and ongoing commitment to the event. We’ll see you in 2021!”

There is no confirmed date yet for 2021 and a date will be released in due course dependent upon predicted tide movements.