If there’s one thing we do really well in Teesside, it’s festivals and big events, so it’s always exciting when a new one is announced. This May will see the brand new Redcar Kite Festival 2024 land on the Teesside coast for two days, bringing all kinds of beach fun with it. So if you’re looking for something family-friendly that’s on our lovely local coast, this could be right up your street! Take a look at the rest of this blog post to get all the info you need about Redcar Kite Festival.
What is Redcar Kite Festival 2024?
Redcar Kite Festival is Redcar & Cleveland Council’s completely brand new, exciting and family-oriented festival on Majuba Beach. It promises to welcome some of the largest and most spectacular kites in the world, celebrating Redcar’s natural environment as the wind whips off the sea and sends the kites spiralling skyward in a spectacular display of colour and movement. Renowned kite experts from Northern Kite Group will take to the skies with incredible displays, choreographed flying routines and soaring stunt shows.
Whilst the amazing kites will be the highlight of the event, there’ll be plenty more to see and do. The festival will play host to a whole range of exciting activities and workshops. Keep reading to see more about those!
When is the Kite Festival happening?
The first ever Redcar Kite Festival will be on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May 2024 (May Bank Holiday weekend). You can join in the fun between 11am and 5pm (depending on the weather conditions. Fingers crossed for wind and warmth!).
Where can I park for Redcar Kite Festival?
There are lots of car parks in Redcar, but if you want to be as close as possible to the Kite Festival, you can try Coatham Bowl car park (Majuba Road, Redcar, TS10 1BT). Parking here starts at £1.20 for one hour. However, it may be busy around this area, so another option is to park in town and walk along the front to the beach. Parking is free in the Leisure Centre and Fisherman Square at the weekends and there is also free parking on a Sunday in Turner Street. There may be some parking spaces along the Esplanade, as well as plenty of on and off street pay and display parking. Take a look here for a full list of council car parks (plus dedicated blue badge car parks) or check out Parkopedia for more options.
There’s also the option to get the bus over to Redcar. If you’re coming from Middlesbrough or Loftus, you can catch the X4. From Stockton, you can catch the X12 or X66 and change to the X2 at Middlesbrough bus station. From Guisborough, the 81 takes you directly to Redcar town centre. If you’re in Saltburn, you can catch the X3 or X4. There are plenty of routes available, so please take a look at Arriva to plan your travel.
What can I expect to see at Redcar Kite Festival?
As the name might suggest, there’s going to be plenty of kite-related things to see and do at the festival, but there’s so much more to get involved with. There’s something for absolutely everyone, from toddlers to grandparents!
Kite flying displays
Each day there will be kite flying displays in the beach arenas, including:
- Kite displays to music
- Stunt kites
- Chinese dragons
- Kite ballet to music
- Inflatable kites
- Rainbow Deltas with the chance for children to fly a kite
Times for these displays will vary according to the wind conditions, but anyone who wants to bring their own kites has the run of Majuba Beach to enjoy too.
Free workshops
There will be lots of free interactive activities and workshops to get stuck into. Some with a kite theme and some without, including:
- Infinite Arts will be leading kite making workshops (in Marquees by the Sea outside TunedIn!)
- Artist Adele Catchpole will be creating windmills to spin in the breeze (in Marquees by the Sea outside TunedIn!)
- Nutkhut will be making Indian and Pakistani kites (Sunday only. In Marquees by the Sea outside TunedIn!)
- Whippet Up will be bringing their magical mini puppet theatres (in Marquees by the Sea outside TunedIn!)
- Land art with artist James Blunt (on the beach near TunedIn!)
Yorkshire Fossil Festival will also be on at TunedIn! with exhibits, workshops, stalls, talks and performances, so make sure you pop in while at the Kite Festival!
Walkout performances
On both days of the festival, there will be walkabout theatre performances on the Esplanade near TunedIn! from Whippet Up, who will be bringing their giant Rock Lobster, Skeletal Fish and Giant Jellyfish puppets.
On Saturday, the enchanting Lionfish Lionel and Leona will be walking through a sea of people delighting with every graceful movement and gesture. Watch their gorgeously colourful outfits come to life with stunning light displays on their fins and decorated sea stilts.
On Sunday, A Sweep of Swallows will be gliding about the beach. They are a set of beautiful silk kite walkabout puppets who catch the wind as they create a beautiful aerial picture.
Street food market
In my opinion, a festival isn’t a festival without some street food and there’s some fantastic options joining the fun at Redcar Kite Festival:
- Gourmet burgers & filthy fries from Slackjaw’s GBC
- Sweet treats from Speakys Sweeties
- Cakes & cookies from The Cherry On Top
- Scotch eggs & much more from Top Notch Scotch Egg Co.
- Coffee & crepes from Van Chaud
- Cocktails from Mr Bentley’s
- Loaded fries, waffles and ice creams from the brand new Redcar Beach Base
Live music
Another thing that really makes a festival special is live music. So to really get into the festival spirit, there’s a whole host of live music performances to shimmy along to, including lots of local artists. Here’s the full line up that will be appearing on the Majuba car park stage:
Saturday
- 11.15am – TunedIn! performers
- 12 noon – Elton Joel, the Elton John tribute that everyone is raving about
- 12.45 – Marina Josephina, a North East jazz, soul and R&B artist
- 1.30pm – Annie Lince, an acoustic singer hailing from Saltburn
- 2.45pm – Elton Joel, the Elton John tribute that everyone is raving about
- 3.30pm – Tainted Covers, a high energy pop duo covering all of your fave 80s hits
Sunday
- 11.15am – TunedIn! performers
- 12 noon – Jess Gardham, a York singer-songwriter with her own fusion of pop, soul and acoustic
- 12.45 – Mister Keith of Saltburn Smugglers fame
- 1.30pm – Lottie Willis, a County Durham singer songwriter
- 2.45pm – Church Honey, a Boro-born soulful indie rock artist
- 3.30pm – The Baghdaddies, a cocktail of Balkan melodies, ska and latin grooves
Will the festival be accessible?
Our site is almost entirely paved, allowing full access to wheelchair users. Our beach activity is also accessible with the Council’s three new beach wheelchairs. Two Hippocampes and one Debug wheelchair are available along with a hoist to facilitate people’s transfer on to them. They can be hired free of charge from the Northern Renewable Centre, 39-41 Esplanade, Redcar, TS10 3AG. Call 07729 751561 to book. They can be used by both children and adults.
All of our main walk-ways are step-free, or have step-free access to ensure that all of our visitors have the same experience. The site is quite large, so I’d recommend using a walking-aid if you usually would.
What else can I do in Redcar?
Alongside the Redcar Kite Festival, there’s lots that you can get up to in the area that weekend. Why not make time for a game of crazy golf at Frosty Penguin’s Putting Adventures? You’ll find the course right by Majuba Beach, just look out for the penguins and shark!
If you fancy getting a bird’s eye view of the town centre and sea, you can head up to the top of the Redcar Beacon. Entry to the 80 foot vertical pier is free and a must-visit for amazing, 360 degree panoramas.
Did you know that Redcar is home of the lemon top? You can grab this iconic treat at Pacittos, which is regarded as the home of the original lemon top. Or if you fancy a twist on the classic, you can take a look at Gabrielle’s Ice Cream Parlour for some unique “top” combinations, like the unicorn top.
The Regent Cinema is back in all of its glory, so if there’s a film you’ve been itching to see, get booked in at this fabulous venue. This newly restored cinema is absolutely gorgeous and as it’s situated right on the seafront, it’s a really unique place to see a top film!
And don’t forget to have a browse in the town centre too. There’s lots of lovely independent shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. Some of my personal recommendations are House Of Foliage, One Up Cafe Bistro, KOKO Bubble Tea & Snack Bar, and Rita’s Pantry.
I can’t wait to go along and check out the Kite Festival because it sounds like it’s going to be absolutely brilliant. If you’re looking for a family-friendly event in the Teesside area on Saturday 25th or Sunday 26th May, then this could be perfect for you! Make sure you bookmark this page to keep the info on hand.
This post is sponsored by Redcar & Cleveland Council. All thoughts and opinions are my own.