As much as we love Manchester, sometimes an escape from the city and some fresh sea air does us good. One spot worth heading out to for a day trip or weekend getaway is the quaint coastal town of St Annes, just over an hour’s journey from Manchester city centre. St Annes not only sets itself apart due to its iconic and award-winning beach huts, but also its annual summer event, St Annes Kite Festival, which sees the skies over St Annes beach transformed into a breathtaking display of colour and creativity.
In partnership with SmileFactor10, the festival will take place over the last August weekend and will feature three days of kite flying by talented teams and individuals from around the world. This year’s St Annes Kite Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, cementing its place as one of the UK’s top (and biggest) kite festivals.
When and where does St Annes Kite Festival take place?
St Annes Kite Festival is set to take place on St Annes Beach, St Annes on the Sea, Lancashire, FY8 2NG from midday on Friday 29 August to Sunday 31 August 2025.
Timings for kite flying, which have been selected to align with the tides, ensuring optimal conditions, are as follows:
- Friday 29th August – 12 noon to 10pm featuring illuminated kite flying
- Saturday 30th August – 11am to 5pm (Fairground will operate into the evening)
- Sunday 31st August – 11am to 4pm
What to expect at St Annes Kite Festival
Visitors can look forward to a great family day out as the festival transforms St Annes Beach into a hub of activity and entertainment featuring awe-inspiring kite displays. There will be a fairground on the beach and additional food and drink stalls on the Promenade or you can bring your own picnic.
There will be five flying arenas on the beach, including one outside of the dog control zone, so visitors with dogs can get close up to some of the kite action. Plus, there will be an illuminated kite flying display on the evening of Friday 29th August.
Things to do in St Annes
Away from the main event on the beach and Promenade, visitors can also explore the town centre of St Annes-on-the-Sea (just 100 yards from St Annes Pier), where you will find a range of shops, cafes, restaurants and the beautiful Ashton Gardens with its popular Pavilion. By the beach, you’ll find the Promenade Gardens, an ornamental lake garden, a pitch and putt course, a Victorian paddling pool, a mini splash park and miniature railway, as well as the town’s renowned beach huts further down the South Promenade.
How to get to St Annes
From Manchester city centre to St Annes Beach, the journey by car takes around one hour and 30minutes, going via the M61, followed by the M6 then M55. You can car parking spots (short stay, long stay and free ones) here.
On the train, it takes a similar amount of time as by car (1hr 37mins), by travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Preston then changing trains to go towards Blackpool South, alighting at St Annes-on-the-Sea – which is just a five-minute walk through the town centre to the beach.