Join us on Little Detroit Lake for the 2026 Polar Fest Cool Kites on the Lake event on February 15, 2026 at 10am for some colorful, Polar Fest fun! Watch from West Lake Drive or drive or walk out onto the lake to visit with the professional kiters and be amazed at the beauty and variety of these large kites. Bring your own kite to fly along with the pros! Kites start flying at 10 a.m., depending on the wind. (Timing is approximate based on wind speeds and weather, but kites should be flying by 10:00 a.m. and will fly as long as possible!)

Giant kites take the lake as seven international kite flyers bring their spectacular giant kites to color the skies. Kites range in size from 10 to 100 feet!

FREE event! No pre-registration is necessary. PLUS Cool Kites & Cool Kids with Early Childhood Family Education. Bundle up and join us on the ice to watch the International Kites on Ice Festival. Bring a kite of your own to fly, or make a kite with us.

This event is in partnership with Early Childhood Initiative, Polar Fest, and Project 412.

What to expect at Polar Fest Cool Kites on the Lake?

Mark your Calendar Today

You don’t want to miss the next Polar Fest Cool Kites on the Lake event, or any of the other great events of the annual Polar Fest in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in February!

Tags: Polar Fest Cool Kites on the Lake, Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes Polar Fest Cool Kites on the Lake, Polar Fest, Detroit Lakes Winter Activities, Detroit Lakes Winter Guide

About Detroit Lakes Polar Fest

Detroit Lakes Polar Fest is is a 17-day winter festival that features a multitude of outdoor winter activities. It is held in early and mid-February with the plunge and fireworks on the last Saturday night of Polar Fest. Polar Fest was started in 1996 by Erika Johnson, previous owner of Lakeside Tavern. She loved winter and wanted to see some sort of celebration of winter by the lake and outside her restaurant. Coincidentally, Ron Zeman, former Develop DL board member, heard of people jumping into a hole in the lake to raise money for an organization. He took that idea to the Boys & Girls Club and the “Polar Fest Plunge” was born. Unfortunately, in 2002 a lack of support left Polar Fest with only its key event, the Polar Plunge.

In 2005, a group of crazy, winter-loving citizens came together to reinvigorate and warm up Polar Fest. Since then, Polar Fest has since continued with the pinnacle event being the Polar Fest Plunge into Little Detroit Lake. However, many other activities including golfing on the lake, polar explorer presentations, dances and more have been added. In 2008, fireworks on the last Saturday evening were added, becoming one of the highlights of the week-long winter celebration. Don’t miss one of Minnesota’s most fun winter festivals!

About Propel DL

Propel DL is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to advance and promote Detroit Lakes and the surrounding region. This goal will be achieved through educational, charitable and recreational programs, festivals and events like the Detroit Lakes Polar Fest.

Detroit Lakes Polar Fest is held annually in mid-February. The Propel DL Board is responsible for the overall branding, advertising, and administration of Polar Fest. We work to bring more events like this to the area and the look committee members, sponsors and event volunteers.