Festa dell'Aquilone
The historic kite race between the districts of Urbino, on the Cesane hills
About Festa dell'Aquilone
A seventy-year tradition
The Festa dell'Aquilone is one of the most characteristic and anticipated events in Urbino, in the heart of Montefeltro, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino (Marche). The event takes place every year on the first Sunday of September and has its roots in the early fifties: after an unofficial race in 1951 at Parco delle Vigne, the official edition began in 1955. Since then, the competition between the districts has never stopped, becoming a symbol of the city's identity.
The challenge of the ten districts
The heart of the festival is the race between the districts of Urbino: Duomo, Lavagine, Monte, San Polo, Valbona (historic center) and Hong Kong, Mazzaferro, Piansevero, Piantata, San Bernardino (outlying areas). Each district builds and flies its own kite according to precise regulations: the models measure 70x70 cm and are made with paper, reeds, and glue, using the artisanal technique passed down from generation to generation. The main prize, the Città di Urbino trophy, goes to the kite that flies "highest among the farthest." Awards are also given for artistic, technical, and original kites, as well as individual prizes like Kite Flyer of the Year and Miss Comet.
From the Collegio Raffaello to the Cesane hills
The festival unfolds over several days and in various locations in the historic center: from Piazza della Repubblica to the Fortezza Albornoz, from the Collegio Raffaello to Piazza del Rinascimento, in front of the majestic Ducal Palace. However, the international races and exhibitions take place in the evocative Parco dell'Aquilone, on the Cesane hills, just outside the city: a natural amphitheater where air currents allow kites to soar in the sky, offering a spectacle of colors over the gentle Marche hills.
A tribute to Giovanni Pascoli
The event is intimately linked to Giovanni Pascoli's famous poem "L'Aquilone", set precisely in the hills around Urbino where the poet studied at the Collegio Raffaello. In his honor, the Giovanni Pascoli Award is given to young kite flyers, emphasizing the poetic and popular dimension of this festival.
A festival for the whole family
In addition to the competition, the Festa dell'Aquilone offers a rich supporting program: free kite-making workshops for children, international kite flyers' exhibitions, parades of districts in costume, evening DJ sets, and the traditional Dinner of the Districts in the piazza. A weekend that combines play, tradition, and conviviality, immersed in the Renaissance setting of one of Italy's most beautiful art cities, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Festa dell'Aquilone — edition 2026
After the celebrations of the 70th edition (1955-2025), the Festa dell'Aquilone returns to Urbino for its 71st edition. The event is confirmed for the first Sunday of September 2026, with the usual four-day schedule between the historic center (Piazza della Repubblica, Fortezza Albornoz, Collegio Raffaello, Piazza del Rinascimento) and the Parco dell'Aquilone on the Cesane hills.
For 2026, the ten districts of Urbino (Duomo, Lavagine, Monte, San Polo, Valbona, Hong Kong, Mazzaferro, Piansevero, Piantata, San Bernardino) will again compete for the Città di Urbino trophy, with individual races, exhibitions by international kite flyers, workshops for children, and the traditional Dinner of the Districts.
Programme Festa dell'Aquilone 2026
The detailed program for the 71st edition in 2026 will be published by the organizers in the months preceding the event, likely in the summer of 2026. The usual structure, repeated annually, includes:
- Thursday — Afternoon: kite painting workshops for children at Collegio Raffaello. Evening: opening ceremony in Piazza della Repubblica with presentation of the districts and DJ set.
- Friday — Afternoon: workshops for children at Collegio Raffaello. Evening: return of the trophy and delivery of competition materials at Fortezza Albornoz.
- Saturday — Morning: international kite flyers' exhibitions at Parco dell'Aquilone (Cesane). Afternoon: individual races (Kite Flyer of the Year, Miss Comet), parade of the districts, and drawing for Sunday's race.
- Sunday — Main race between the districts at Parco dell'Aquilone for the Città di Urbino trophy; in the evening, awards ceremony and Dinner of the Districts in Piazza del Rinascimento.
The names of guest kite flyers and final schedules will be announced on the official website festaquilone.it and the event's social media channels.
Highlights Festa dell'Aquilone 2026
- The main race between the ten districts on the Cesane hills for the Città di Urbino trophy.
- The exhibitions by international kite flyers at Parco dell'Aquilone.
- The free workshops for children on kite making and painting.
- The Dinner of the Districts in Piazza del Rinascimento, in front of the Ducal Palace.
Prices Festa dell'Aquilone 2026
Practical information — Festa dell'Aquilone
How to get there
By car: Urbino is reachable from the Fano-Grosseto highway (E78), exit Urbino. By train: the nearest station is Pesaro, connected to Urbino by bus. The races take place at the Parco dell'Aquilone, on the Cesane hills, reachable by car or with dedicated shuttle buses during the festival.
Admission and costs
Participation in the events in the city and the races is free. Side activities such as the Dinner of the Districts have a separate cost.
Tips
Bring comfortable clothing and hiking shoes to reach the Parco dell'Aquilone. The period coincides with the peak tourist season: book accommodation in the historic center of Urbino or in the surrounding Montefeltro area in advance.
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Where does it take place — Festa dell'Aquilone
Parco dell'Aquilone (Cesane)