Normandy’s skies will be filled with a kaleidoscope of colour this September as the world-renowned Dieppe International Kite Festival returns.
Free to attend, the family-friendly festival takes place every two years at the end of the summer on the Normandy coast. Kite enthusiasts and professionals from more than 40 countries take part in this spectacularly colourful event, dotting the skies above Dieppe seafront with bright, bold creations, ranging from giant animals and sea creatures to huge astronauts, which dance in the wind high above visitors’ heads.
Parades, art exhibitions, shows and concerts also punctuate the nine-day festival. Professionals taking part in the event lead kite-making and flying workshops to inspire the next generation of kite pilots. Must-sees are the huge parade on the first Sunday of the festival, where hundreds of people march in traditional costume through the streets of Dieppe, and the spectacular evening light show that sees hundreds of kites light up the skies on the last Saturday of the event.
In 2025, the festival pays tribute to Dieppe's maritime identity, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Newhaven to Dieppe ferry link. DFDS is an official partner and sponsor of the Dieppe Kite Festival in 2025.
Etienne Mellani, route director at DFDS said: “As we mark the bicentennial of the sea link between Newhaven and Dieppe, our sponsorship of Dieppe International Kite Festival is the perfect way to celebrate the special connection between our communities. This spectacular event showcases the Normandy coast and is the perfect family-friendly getaway with displays, parades and activities to entertain visitors young and old.”
Sail direct to Dieppe from Newhaven with DFDS for the kite festival and enjoy a 20 per cent discount on ferry crossings. Fares on the Newhaven to Dieppe route during the festival period are from £75 each way for a car and four people. Book by 21 September 2025 and travel from 11 to 22 September 2025 to obtain the special discount. For more information visit www.dfds.com.
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About DFDS:
DFDS provides ferry and transport services in and around Europe, generating annual revenues of EUR 4 bn.
DFDS delivers high reliability to freight customers through ferry and port terminal services and transport and logistics solutions.
For more than six million passengers, it provides safe overnight and short sea ferry services.
Our 16,500 employees are located on ships and in in offices across 20 countries. DFDS was founded in 1866, is headquartered in Copenhagen, and listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen.
In the UK, DFDS operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.
DFDS has been named ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for 13 years running (2012-2024), as well as the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last 14 years (2011-2024).
DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and Calais and Dunkirk. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the UK network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven and Dieppe, which has four daily sailings. The network also includes passenger and life-line services to Jersey of the Channel Islands.
In the UK, DFDS operates passenger ferry services on routes from Dover to Calais, Dover to Dunkirk, Newcastle to Amsterdam and Newhaven to Dieppe.
DFDS has been named ‘Europe’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for 13 years running (2012-2024), as well as the ‘World’s Leading Ferry Operator’ for the last 14 years (2011-2024).
DFDS currently operates up to 54 sailings a day between Dover and Calais and Dunkirk. DFDS also offers two daily sailings between Newcastle and Amsterdam. In addition, the UK network includes a passenger and freight service between Newhaven and Dieppe, which has four daily sailings. The network also includes passenger and life-line services to Jersey of the Channel Islands.
For further information about DFDS, or to find out about the latest sailing times, fares and offers across all routes from the UK, visit www.dfds.com.