The Cape Town International Kite Festival is just a few days away and promises to once again fill the skies with colour while shining a light on mental health.
Cape Town, South Africa (05 October 2026) – It’s October, which means it’s Mental Health Awareness Month. And what better way to raise awareness with Cape Mental Health than by flying a colourful kite with them at the 32nd Cape Town International Kite Festival on 24 and 25 October?
Africa’s oldest kite festival returns on 24–25 October 2026 at Youngsfield Military Base in Ottery, bringing together families, communities, kite enthusiasts and mental health advocates for a weekend centred on hope, resilience and connection.
Photo Credit: Sulize Terreblanche
Getting involved is about more than simply flying a kite. Your attendance (and financial support) can help create a moment of joy and belonging for someone going through a difficult time – hopefully even reminding them that they are not alone, that their wellbeing matters, and that there is a community standing beside them.
“Mental Health Awareness Month gives us an important opportunity to remind people that mental health is part of our everyday lives. It is not something we should only talk about when someone reaches a crisis point,” says Professor Ingrid Daniels, CEO of Cape Mental Health.
“The Kite Festival allows us to have these conversations in a supportive and inclusive environment. When people come together, when they talk, when they connect and when they understand that they are not alone, we begin to break down the stigma that prevents so many people from reaching out for help.”
The message of Mental Health Awareness Month cannot end with awareness alone. It has to become action. That can mean checking in on someone you care about. Listening without judgement. Learning more about mental health. Challenging stigma when you hear it. Encouraging someone to seek professional support. Or simply creating a community where people feel safe enough to say, “I’m not okay.”
The Cape Town International Kite Festival helps turn that awareness into tangible support. Visitors can look forward to spectacular giant kites from local and international kite flyers, family entertainment, kite-making workshops, interactive activities, food vendors, an amusement park for children, and plenty of opportunities to experience the joy of kite flying.
More than just a festival, this year’s theme #ColourTheSky is a call to come together in support of mental health awareness and help create a brighter future for people living with mental health challenges.
Artwork by Danielle Hitchcock
Every ticket purchased helps Cape Mental Health continue providing essential free mental health services across the Western Cape.
So, if you’re in Cape Town on the 24th and 25th, this is your sign to come fly a kite, spread some hope and help Cape Mental Health show that small moments of connection can make a meaningful difference.
Event Details:
Sources: Cape Mental Health
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