One month to go until Kites light up St Annes skies

With just one month to go, excitement is building for the return of the award-winning St Annes International Kite Festival, as spectacular display kites prepare to fill the skies above St Annes seafront from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September.

Visitors can look forward to five flying arenas on the beach, including a special evening of illuminated kite flying on Friday, plus a fairground, food and drink stalls, and an artisan market showcasing local producers in the Promenade Gardens. One arena will sit outside the dog control zone, so four-legged friends can enjoy the action too. The event is free to attend and suitable for all ages, weather permitting.

The fun will also spread into the town centre, thanks to a colourful new art trail bringing 15 shop windows to life with kite designs created by pupils from Heyhouses Endowed C.E. Primary School, Mayfield Primary School and St Thomas' Church of England Primary School. Community art studio Durose Studios has hand-painted the children's artwork onto windows across St Annes, and families following the free self-guided trail can hunt for hidden letters for the chance to win a prize.

Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture, said: "There's so much to look forward to this year, from illuminated kites lighting up the night sky to our brilliant new art trail bringing colour to the town centre.

"The Kite Festival is one of our most-loved events and a real showcase for everything Fylde has to offer, so I'd encourage everyone to come down, enjoy the spectacle on the beach, and take some time to explore the town centre too."

The festival continues to grow in popularity each year, drawing thousands of visitors to the Fylde coast and giving a welcome boost to local businesses.

Find out more about the St Annes International Kite Festival here.