Festival of the Winds 2026 Brings Kites and Colour to Bondi Beach

The Festival of the Winds returned to Australia's most famous stretch of sand in 2026, filling the sky above Bondi Beach with kites of every shape and colour. Photographs from the event, published on 14 September 2026, capture kite flyers of all ages testing their skills against the coastal breeze. Among the participants were Steph, who counted down 'In three, two, one!' to help her young daughter launch a new pink kite, and Laasya, who kept her kite flying high with precision. Frances navigated both the crowded sand and the busy sky to get her kite airborne, while a father and son were photographed sharing differing views on the best technique for flying. A whale-shaped kite lay beached on the sand, waiting for the wind to strengthen, and a Mr Squiggle kite appeared upside down. SpongeBob SquarePants was seen looking out over North Bondi. Dragon kites also featured in the display. Amateur kite flyers found their abilities put to the test, with some kites caught in a tailspin or tangled. Beyond the kite flyers, surfers, walkers and onlookers gathered at the beach, and beachgoers enjoyed a balmy day. One man watched the symphony of kites from what was described as the best seat in the house. The event, held at Bondi Beach, is documented through images by photographers Karabo Mooki, Dean Lewins, Jeremy Piper and Xinhua.