Lotherton Hall to Host First Kite Festival in August

Colourful Kites and Family Activities Planned for Weekend Event

Lotherton Hall in Aberford is set to hold its inaugural Kite Festival on 22 and 23 August 2026. The event will feature over 30 kites of various shapes, sizes and colours, flown by professional kite fliers from across the UK. The festival aims to provide a family-friendly day out with a range of activities alongside the kite displays.

Kite Displays and Parachuting Teddy Bear Drop

• More than 30 kites, including some of the world’s largest inflatable designs, will be flown during the festival.
• Some kites will depict well-known characters, adding visual interest to the displays.
• One of the highlights will be a parachuting teddy bear drop, where children can bring their own teddies to be dropped from the sky with parachutes, weather permitting.

Additional Attractions and Facilities

Entry to the kite festival is included with general admission to Lotherton Hall. Additional activities available at extra cost include:

• Fun house
• Bumper cars
• Face painting

Food stalls will also be present on site to provide refreshments for visitors.

About Lotherton Hall and Surrounding Attractions

Lotherton Hall is a well-known local attraction featuring a zoo with animals such as penguins, capybaras and wallabies. During the summer, the venue also offers deer park tours, where visitors can be taken on a tractor trailer ride to see the herd of red deer living on the estate. These tours require pre-booking.

Organisers and Comments

The festival is organised by The Northern Kite Group, known for kite festivals in Filey, Bridlington and Redcar. Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment, Councillor James Gibson, expressed enthusiasm about the event, highlighting Lotherton as a popular destination with a full summer activity schedule.

Sarah Duncalf, secretary of the Northern Kite Group, said the festival will offer spectacular kite displays and family entertainment, aiming to create a colourful and memorable weekend for visitors.

Event Details

• Date: 22 and 23 August 2026
• Time: 10am to 5pm
• Location: Events field, Lotherton Hall, Aberford

For more information on events at Lotherton Hall, visit the official Leeds Museums and Galleries website.