Major Sky Festival Alert: Hyderabad transforms into a colorful spectacle during Sankranti 2026, with the skies filled with vibrant kites, massive professional displays, and family-friendly events. The city celebrates the harvest festival (known as Sankranti in Telugu tradition) with a blend of traditional rooftop kite flying and grand organized festivals. The highlight is the International Kite & Sweet Festival, running from January 13 to 15, 2026, at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad. This year, expect participation from 19 countries, 40 international kite flyers, and 55 national experts, making it one of South India’s biggest kite events.
The festival coincides with the main Sankranti days (Bhogi on January 14, Sankranti/Pongal on January 15, and Kanuma on January 16), turning Hyderabad into a vibrant hub of kites, sweets, cultural performances, and handicrafts. Here’s a thorough guide covering dates, venues, rules, tips, and nuances for safe, enjoyable celebrations.
1. Key Kite Festival Events in Hyderabad 2026
Telangana Tourism is going all out with the theme “Celebrate the Sky”, combining traditional kite flying with modern attractions.
- International Kite & Sweet Festival
- Dates: January 13–15, 2026
- Venue: Parade Grounds, Secunderabad (prime spot for massive, professional kites)
- Timings: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM (extended hours for night flying)
- Highlights:
- Giant kites and international flyers showcasing fancy designs (including Hanuman kites as a surprise element)
- Night flying sessions with illuminated kites
- Over 1,200 varieties of sweets (homemade and international) at stalls
- Telangana handicrafts, handlooms, food courts, and cultural performances depicting festival origins
- Entry: Free and open to all—family-friendly with high crowd expected (lakhs of visitors).
- Other Kite-Related Events:
- Kite Carnival at Dhara Resort: January 14, 10:00 AM onwards—community kite flying with music and food.
- Kite Flying Feast at PJR Stadium: January 14—casual rooftop-style contests.
- Smaller Community Events: Neighborhoods like Tarnaka (Marri Krishna Hall on January 10), Whitefields (Cafe Ikigai on January 11), and local grounds host informal kite contests with music, food stalls, and sky lanterns.
- Related Sky Events (Post-Kite Focus):
- Hot Air Balloon Festival (January 16–18): Morning flights on outskirts + Night Glow at Parade Grounds (15 international balloons).
- Mega Drone Show (January 16–17): At Gachibowli Stadium—LED-lit aerial displays.
2. Traditional Kite Flying in Hyderabad During Sankranti
Beyond organized festivals, Hyderabadis love rooftop and community kite flying on Bhogi (January 14) and Sankranti day. Neighborhoods turn into battlegrounds for kite fighting (patang baazi), with colorful Chinese and Indian kites soaring over the city.
- Popular Spots:
- Parade Grounds (official)
- Open rooftops in Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Gachibowli, Kukatpally, and Old City areas
- Lakesides (e.g., Hussain Sagar) and parks for safer flying
- Rural outskirts for larger spaces
3. Important Rules, Restrictions & Safety Guidelines
Hyderabad enforces strict safety measures for kite flying due to risks (injuries, bird deaths, power line hazards).
- Nylon Manja Ban:
- Strictly prohibited statewide (including at Parade Grounds)—only cotton thread allowed.
- Police crackdowns: In recent days, over 100 cases and arrests; ₹1.24 crore worth of Chinese manja seized.
- Penalties: Fines, confiscation, and legal action for selling, storing, or using nylon manja (dangerous to children, elderly, and birds).
- Other Restrictions:
- No flying near power lines, airports, or crowded roads.
- Avoid plastic/chemical-coated threads.
- Pollution control: Green crackers only; bonfires (Bhogi Mantalu) limited to dry wood/old items—no tyres or waste.
- Urban guidelines: Some areas restrict large bonfires due to air quality.
- Safety Tips:
- Use gloves to avoid cuts from strings.
- Fly in open spaces away from traffic.
- Secure homes (burglaries rise during village travel).
- Check weather—clear skies ideal, but fog possible in January.
4. Cultural Nuances & Edge Cases
- Telugu Tradition: Kite flying symbolizes joy and harvest; Bhogi involves bonfires (burning old things), rangoli, and sweets like Ariselu/Pongal.
- Family-Friendly: Events are inclusive—kids love contests; women participate in sweets stalls.
- Edge Cases: If weather is foggy (common in January), visibility drops—shift to indoor cultural shows. Crowds at Parade Grounds mean arrive early.
- Implications: These festivals boost tourism, local economy (handicrafts/sweets), and community spirit, but strict manja bans prioritize safety over tradition.
Don’t Miss It! Head to Parade Grounds from January 13 for the biggest sky show of 2026—kites, sweets, and Telangana pride in the air!
Planning to fly kites or attend? Share your tips in the comments!