The International Kite & Sweet Festival–2026 , organised by the Telangana Tourism Department at the Secunderabad Parade Grounds , concluded on a grand note as one of the flagship public attractions of Sankranti celebrations in the city. Spread over three days, the festival drew lakhs of visitors , turning the parade grounds into a high-energy cultural arena and positioning the event as a major tourism-led crowd driver. Officials and industry watchers say such festivals are increasingly designed not only as celebrations but also as structured tourism products that help expand Hyderabad’s seasonal visitor footfall and improve the city’s festive economy through local spending, vendor income, and hospitality demand.
A key highlight of the festival was its scale of participation. The event hosted 40+ international kite flyers from countries such as France, Sri Lanka, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Algeria , alongside skilled flyers from across India. Spectators witnessed an impressive display of giant and artistic kites , with creative designs dominating the skies during the day, while evening sessions added spectacle as LED kites illuminated the night sky . With heavy crowds, especially on the closing day, Secunderabad’s skyline became a canvas of colour, reinforcing Hyderabad’s growing reputation as a destination for large-format cultural gatherings during festival season.
The Sweet Festival , held as a parallel attraction, added a strong economic and tourism component to the event. With 60+ stalls , it showcased traditional delicacies from Telangana as well as multiple states including West Bengal, Kerala, Bihar and Goa , creating a pan-India food showcase. Beyond food, vendors and organisers noted that such festivals improve micro-business revenue through strong walk-in sales, while also benefiting transport providers and nearby commercial establishments. In addition, cultural programmes and stage performances kept the venue active through the day, ensuring the event functioned as an all-round entertainment package rather than only a kite-flying showcase.
At the closing ceremony, TGTDC Managing Director Smt. Kranti Valluru felicitated the participating kite flyers and presented prizes to winners of the Weekend Wonders contest , formally marking the conclusion of the festival. With the Kite & Sweet Festival closing successfully, the tourism calendar now shifts to the next set of major attractions planned at the same venue, including the Hot Air Balloon Festival (January 16–18) , expected to draw large crowds with balloon displays and rides. The celebrations will also continue with other scheduled cultural events, including Singer Mangli’s live concert on January 16 , strengthening Hyderabad’s Sankranti event circuit and extending tourism momentum beyond a single festival weekend.