Khmer Kite Flying Festival 2027
Khmer Kite Flying Festival 2027
The Khmer “Ek” and Freestyle Kite Festival is an annual cultural event held at the former Siem Reap International Airport grounds, organized by the Siem Reap Provincial Administration in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Fine Arts. It celebrates one of Cambodia’s oldest traditions — the flying of the Khlaeng Ek, the distinctive musical kite of the Khmer people.
The Khlaeng Ek: A Kite That Sings
The Khlaeng Ek is a traditional Khmer kite fitted with a bow-shaped attachment strung across its frame. When airborne, this bow vibrates in the wind and produces a soft, continuous humming sound — giving the kite its musical character. Kite flying is documented in carvings and inscriptions from 9th-century Angkorian temples, making it one of the oldest recorded traditions in the region. The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts is pursuing a UNESCO World Heritage nomination for the Khlaeng Ek tradition.
Historically, kite flying was practiced after the rice harvest when the northeast monsoon winds arrived and the fields lay empty — a celebration of the season’s end and a prayer of thanks to spirits and ancestors. This explains why the festival falls in the December–February dry season.
The Festival
The modern Khmer Kite Festival was revived in 2024 as part of Siem Reap Province’s strategy to develop cultural tourism beyond the Angkor Wat temple complex.
- 1st edition: December 27–29, 2024 at the Old Siem Reap International Airport
- 2nd edition: February 20–22, 2026 at the same venue — 138 kites competed, including 93 traditional Khlaeng Ek kites and 45 freestyle kites from provinces across Cambodia and Phnom Penh
Alongside competitive kite flying, the festival features traditional Lakhon Bassac (folk opera) performances, exhibitions on kite-making craftsmanship, and educational activities for students building their first traditional kites.
Where and When
The festival is held at the former Siem Reap International Airport (Old Airport), on the outskirts of Siem Reap city. Exact dates vary year to year and are announced by the Siem Reap Provincial Administration. The 2026 edition ran February 20–22. Dates for the 2027 edition have not yet been announced — check back for updates.
